Gibraltar Fire Prompts Schools To Close

The Gibraltar Fire triggered a couple of Montecito schools to close for the day.

Cold Springs Elementary and Montecito Union Elementary both shut down for the day because of the Gibraltar Fire.

The two campuses were never in any direct danger from the flames, but air quality concerns and past history of fires in the area led school officials to the closure.

“We felt it was in the best interest of students and school personnel not to be on campus today. It was almost seven years ago to the day that are community experienced the Tea Fire,” said Superintendent and Principal for Cold Spring Elementary Tricia Price.

The 2008 Tea Fire is still fresh in the minds of many. 210 homes were destroyed in the flames.

“Many of our families are also affected by this personally — their homes are nearby.We also felt it best that families be in their homes, with their family members,” said Price.

A third school’s normal operations were also disrupted on Thursday, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Private School parents rushed to pick up their kids when classes were let out early.

“I got an email from the schools saying there was a fire up in the hills, and that is how I found out about it and then I looked up and I saw the smoke. It does make me very nervous, because I grew up here and we had fires periodically, and my family’s house burned down in 1977,” said Michele Sullivan as she picked up her son Errol from school.

“They totally got us out of there really quick, as soon as they found out there was a possibility that we could be evacuated. They said our parents could come pick us up as soon as they want, but we are officially closing at noon,” said Errol Sullivan as he left class after it was dismissed.

All morning long Westmont College was being used as a makeshift water fill-up station. Helicopters were continuously sucking up water before returning to the flames.

“It is business as usual but not business as usual. I mean you can hear the helicopters and air-tankers over head. We got the alert early this morning and sent out an email to the entire campus, that classes are going on and we are not evacuating to the gym, everyone knows that is the plan on campus,” said Westmont College Media Relations Manager Scott Craig.

All of these schools expect to be back open Friday morning, as long as the fire doesn’t dramatically spread.