Jesusita Fire Burns 8,733 Acres, Destroys 80 Homes Above Santa Barbara 📂 Entry Series

• Acreage: 8,733 acres
• Ignition Date: May 5, 2009, at approximately 1:40 p.m.
• Containment Date: May 20, 2009
• Cause: Unattended hot equipment from unpermitted trail clearing
• Structures Lost: 80 homes, 79 outbuildings and commercial properties
• Injuries/Fatalities: 32 firefighter injuries, 0 fatalities

The Jesusita Fire began on the afternoon of May 5, 2009, in the foothills above Santa Barbara and burned for over two weeks. Ignited by contractors using a brush-cutter during unpermitted trail maintenance, the fire was driven by strong Sundowner winds, leading to the destruction of 159 structures and forcing widespread evacuations. The incident resulted in significant legal action against both the contractors responsible for the ignition and the manufacturer of their equipment.

The fire started along the Jesusita Trail when contractors Craig Ilenstine and Dana Larsen left hot machinery unattended in dry vegetation. Fueled by powerful evening winds, the blaze spread rapidly into San Roque and Mission Canyons, threatening thousands of homes. The fire's progression was erratic, pushing west toward Highway 154 and east toward Montecito, burning into scars from the 1990 Painted Cave Fire and the 2008 Tea Fire.

The emergency response was massive, ultimately involving 4,543 firefighters and costing an estimated $19.5 million. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for nearly 6,000 properties, affecting approximately 15,000 people, while tens of thousands more were placed under evacuation warnings. In addition to the homes lost, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden suffered significant damage.

Following an investigation, Ilenstine and Larsen were charged with a misdemeanor for operating equipment without a permit. In July 2010, they pleaded no contest and received sentences of community service, probation, and a fine. In a separate civil action, dozens of homeowners sued Stihl, the manufacturer of the brush-cutting tool, alleging it failed to warn that its metal blades could spark. Stihl settled the lawsuit in 2013 for an undisclosed amount. Occurring just six months after the Tea Fire, the Jesusita Fire reinforced concerns about Santa Barbara's wildfire vulnerability and prompted renewed efforts in community preparedness and building safety standards.