The weather and fire status will become more critical over Santa BarbaraCounty during the evening as very dry, northerly to northwesterly wind flowquickens over the rugged hills. Gusty winds reaching 30, 40 and even 50 mphwill set in and will persist through tonight.Winds will still be gusty during the day on Tuesday, but a little weakerthan Monday night. Higher winds perhaps reaching 50 mph again will occur duringthe night on Tuesday.
The winds will threaten to spread the flames of the Jesusita Fire, which hasalready burned more than 8,700 acres, again. Even in areas where onlysmoldering fires are left, embers could be blown about, causing the fire tospread and adding to its erratic nature.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.
