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The Jesusita fire started Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in San Roque Canyon. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County the next day, freeing up money and resources immediately to fight the fire.
Along Las Canoas Road, rubble remains where homes once stood after the wind-driven fire raced through the hillsides north of the city of Santa Barbara on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters did what they could to protect homes in the area, but the danger on the ground forced them to retreat from some neighborhoods.
Eleven firefighters were injured in the fire and more than 13,500 residents forced to flee. The fire cost more than $15.5 million to fight and the value of the 78 homes destroyed in the Santa Barbara foothills could easily could reach $109 million.