As I write this on Tuesday, the skies are blue, the sun is shining and those clouds rising from the Zaca Fire are still white. Wildfires of this kind are so frightening — everything depending on the wind and its shifts. Forty-three years ago my family had to evacuate in the middle of the night due to a change in direction of the Coyote Fire. Believe me, that is an experience that one never forgets.

As I drove from home to our nearly completed house in Goleta, with the dog and cat and two younger children, 15 miles of flames were visible on the ridge line of the mountains. My husband and two older children stayed behind as we still had water pressure and a working phone and they kept the roof wet. The fire stopped at the house next door as a rig from down south somewhere saw the situation, spotted a hydrant, hooked up and managed to knock down the approaching flames. Now that’s scary!

Saturday, I sat in on two briefings about the Zaca Fire at the county’s Emergency Operations Center. I was very impressed with how all the agencies fighting this fire were communicating and working with one another. The present system of issuing evacuation warnings before an actual evacuation order is necessary is excellent, allowing citizens time to collect important things take with them if they have to leave. It is hard to make rational decisions when surrounded by smoke.

Last Tuesday was the first free Music at the Ranch event on Rancho La Patera’s Stow House grounds, and it was a delight. On Tuesday the Salt Martian band will be playing bluegrass music. Bring your blanket or chair, picnic dinner and enjoy; starting at 5:30 p.m.
The City Council is moving forward on changing some elements of the General Plan. Public workshops on proposed amendments will take place Sept. 15, and Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall.

Another workshop, this one about the city’s Sphere of Influence, will take place Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. And the Housing Element Certification will be discussed at a workshop Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The state director of housing and community development will be in attendance.

Remember, City Council meetings are televised live on Channel 19 and replayed at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.