Direct Relief has offered assistance in response to rapidly spreading wildfire that erupted this afternoon amid high temperatures and strong winds in the Santa Barbara foothills, prompting evacuations of local residents.

Direct Relief has been in emergency-response mode and coordinating emergency activities with local public health officials and community clinics in connection with the H1N1 flu outbreak. Public health officials were meeting at Direct Relief today shortly before the fire broke out at 1:45 p.m.

Assistance has been offered to the shelter services being furnished by the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross as well as to public health officials.

Direct Relief recently collaborated with local emergency services officials and private groups to establish Radio Ready, a communications system to facilitate public advisories during emergencies such as this.