In response to the Gap Fire that broke out around 6 pm yesterday in the Santa Ynez mountains above Goleta, Direct Relief has extended offers of support of existing medical inventories to partner clinics, Santa Barbara County Public Health, and emergency officials. Direct Relief has ensured that any of its resources, if needed, will be coordinated with other responding agencies to best serve any affected residents. The fire is visible from Direct Relief’s Goleta headquarters, which is approximately 5 miles from the fire’s southern front.

The Gap Fire has prompted mandatory evacuations in Glen Annie and La Patera Canyons.  Evacuation warnings have been issued for residents above Cathedral Oaks Road, between Glen Annie Road and Fairview Avenue. Reports indicate that the fire has burned more than 100 acres, though no structures have been affected. Fire officials report that more than 225 firefighters are battling the blaze, and additional support is arriving today.

Direct Relief has standing agreements with the County of Santa Barbara to provide support services in the event of emergencies, and recently worked with local fundraising teams to purchase a new fire truck suitable for fighting fires in tough-to-access terrain.

For more information about the fire and fire safety, please visit the County of Santa Barbara or the U.S. Forest Service’s InciWeb.