Huge Fire near Santa Barbara, CA

This fire, dubbed the "Tea Fire" is has already gobbled up many trails that are normally part of the Santa Barbara 9 Trails Race and it’s far far over.  This race is one of my all time favorite (and favorite places to run) and it will possibly never be the same…  More sadly, is the hundreds of homes in danger (and apparently about 100 already burned).

Just saw this on the 9 Trails message board from the RD:

Luis Escobar	Friday, 11/14/08, 5:58 AM
	9 Trailers, As you may know, a widefire is currently burning out of control in the Santa Barbara Front Country. This fire is right on the 9 Trails course. At this moment, (5:15 am Friday, November 14) every road and trail on the 9 Trails course is closed or on fire. I am watching the fires progress on TV here in McKinney Texas. (I am in Texas photographing the Ultra Centric 24/48 hours endurance runs). At this point, I do not know what will happen with the 9 Trails event. I will do everything to continue with the run as planned. However, we may need to design another course this year. I don’t know. We will have to wait and see what happens with the fires. More information will come to you as soon I have something to report. Luis Escobar 805-448-2782

Let’s all hope and pray for a speedy end to this fire and hope there is no loss of life or even more home destroyed!

Jessica