Eight Years After the Devastating Tea Fire, Many Have Yet to Rebuild Lost Homes

Montecito is known for its mansions, but in between many homes visitors can still see the ruins left by the Tea Fire almost 8 years ago.

The fire burned 210 homes in Montecito, a community that stretches across city and county lines. County planners said about 31 percent of the homes in its jurisdiction have not been rebuilt. Santa Barbara City planners said about 20 percent of the homes have not been rebuilt, although some are in the midst of making a comeback.

The fire that vegan November 13, 2008 burned for four days. Montecito firefighter Jackie Jenkins said it was started when a bonfire was reignited by 70 mile-an-hour winds. She described it as a windstorm coming from every direction. The bonfire had been set the day before by Santa Barbara City College students who thought they put the bonfire out. They had been trespassing near the historic Tea Garden that used to be used for garden parties a century ago. The area is now fenced by razor wire and locked to keep trespassers out.

The city and the county reached out to homeowners right away to fast track rebuilding, but the fire happened at a time when real estate values plummeted . General contractors said many survivors were under-insured and ended up selling their land and foundations, all that was left.

Santa Barbara Senior Planner Jaime Limon said they reached out again two years ago to help. Limon said they are still inviting people to set up special appointments to get the process rolling. But Limon said there are new regulations intended to insure slope safety and access to firetrucks that could cost the builder more.

Perhaps the most famous fire victim is actor Christopher Lloyd. Lloyd eventually rebuilt his home and sold it.

Westmont Physics professor Ken Kihlstrom lost more than most. The fire burned his office on campus and his nearby home, while he and his wife were leading a semester abroad. Kihlstrom said he remembers friends calling him to say they could see his home burning on KEYT.

His office was moved to a new building on campus and his home was rebuilt before he lost his wife to cancer.

Kilhstrom and other fire survivors said they learned that things can be replaced and the fire that burned as the couple escaped the flames, could have been so much worse.

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