Levi Chandler Maaia

Video: Landing at San Francisco Int’l

I was flying into SFO on a United/Skywest flight when I spotted this big guy off the right wing. The two touchdowns were almost in synchronous.  Pretty cool.

H1N1 swine flu on campus at UC Santa Barbara

From UC Santa Barbara’s Chancellor Yang regarding a confirmed case of H1N1 Swine Flu in Isla Vista / Goleta, Calif.

****PLEASE GIVE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION****

May 27, 2009

TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY 
  
Dear Colleagues and Students: 
  
Our campus health officials and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department have reported a confirmed case of H1N1 flu in the County. One of our students, an Isla Vista resident, has been treated for a mild case of H1N1 flu, and has fully recovered. Another student is being tested for a possible case of H1N1 flu; this student also had a very mild case, has been treated, and has fully recovered. 
  
No other people in contact with either of these students, including their roommates, have come down with an influenza-like illness. The County Public Health Department has stated that these cases do not alter the current recommendations of the California Department of Public Health or Centers for Disease Control. In general, people are encouraged to respond to H1N1 with the same degree of caution as during normal flu season: wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and stay home when you are sick. These recommendations and further information about H1N1 are posted at the Public Health Department website, at http://www.sbcphd.org, and at our Student Health Service website, at http://studenthealthsa.ucsb.edu. 
  
We encourage anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms to consult with their health care provider. Students who have questions or concerns should contact our Student Health Service at 893-5361. Dr. Elizabeth Downing, Campus Physician and Student Health Service Director, is the primary point of contact for information about our campus response to H1N1 flu; she can be reached at 893-2251 or via e-mail at downing-e@sa.ucsb.edu
  
The health and well-being of our campus community is our highest priority. We are glad that the current case, or possibly two cases, were identified and treated quickly, and that the students have fully recovered. We will continue to monitor this closely, and to keep our campus community informed.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor

Top ten reasons I know that Islam is not a militant religion

Read a nice piece by Justin Maaia in response to the chain email messages circulating that defame Islam.

Jesusita Fire: The aftermath

I was able to take a ride up to Foothill Road (CA 192) and north into the burn areas of the Jesusita Fire today. Many structures in the area were affected. See the complete Jesusita Fire photo gallery for more images.

Jesusita Fire scar as seen from space

With the fire now at least 70% surrounded and residents returning to homes, the worst appears to be over.  The skies were hazy but not terribly smokey today.  The marine layer ebbed slightly on Sunday May 10 giving NASA’s Advanced Land Imager on the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite an opportunity to assess the damage from space.  This photo shows just how large of an area was affected by the blaze (as evidenced by the grey soot colored areas).  In total 8,733 acres burned in just under a week.

Jesusita Fire fact sheet as of May 10, 2009 at 9:00 PM PT

Fire Status:

• 8,733 acres burned
• 65% contained
• Damage assessment in progress – initial estimate of 77 homes destroyed, 22 homes have been damaged, 60 outbuildings destroyed and 69 outbuildings damaged
  
• Approximately 145 properties evacuated (mandatory evacuation orders); affects approx. 362 people
• More than 3,900 properties under evacuation warning; approx. 9,754 people affected
• Residences threatened – 500; commercial properties threatened – 0
• 4,150 personnel on scene: 428 engines, 110 crews
• 5 air tankers and 15 helicopters
• 28 firefighter injuries to date
• Cause under investigation:  Tip line – 805-686-5074
• Air quality warning remains in effect
• Estimated costs to date $9 million
• Expected containment 5/13/09

Jesusita Fire: Information released on fire cause

From Santa Barbara County Fire Department:

Fire investigators have confirmed the Jesusita fire origin is adjacent to the Jesusita Trail, commonly accessed from the San Roque or Tunnel Road areas.

The fire cause appears related to the use of power tool equipment involved in vegetation clearance.

Fire investigators are requesting public assistance with identification of the person or persons engaged in vegetation clearance on Monday, May 4th, and Tuesday, May 5th, 2009.

The unidentified persons are known to have been on the trail between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on both days.

Please call the Santa Barbara County Tip Line at 805-686-5061 or contact investigators by email at sbctip@sbcfire.com with information regarding these individuals.

Cool mist returns to Santa Barbara, evacuations reduced

At 10:00 AM PT today much of the area affected by the mandatory evacuations was reduced allowing residents of Santa Barbara’s Eastside and foothills to return to their homes.  With the weather outside today being cool and misty, conditions are much improved for firefighting operations in the Jesusita Fire.  The SBARC Fire Map has been updated to reflect the new evacuation and burn areas.  Being on the Westside we were never in the mandatory evacuation or warning areas.

View Jesusita Fire map in a larger map

Good news: Jesusita Fire 30% contained

Figures released this morning from the unified command state that 30% of the fire is contained, up from 10% last night. Maps and satellite images showing the extent of the burned area show just how large this fire is.

Satellite image of the Jesusita Fire

I came across this image on the Flickr site of SeanTrek.  He noted that it was taken by NASA’s Aqua satellite Friday (incidentally, this satellite was launched in 2002 from Vandenberg AFB in Santa Barbara County). The image clearly shows the smoke plumes from the Jesusita Fire heading south of the border.  Now if we could just get those clouds from Mexico to come up here and dump some rain on the fire!