Last Updated Wednesday, October 13, 2021 11:26PM EDTraging through Southern California coastal mountains threatened ranches and rural homes and kept a major highway shut down Wednesday as the fire-scarred state faced a new round of dry winds that raise the risk of infernos.
Fire crews were protecting Rancho del Cielo, which was once owned by Ronald and Nancy Reagan and was known as the Western White House during his presidency. The 688-acre ranch where Reagan hosted world leaders sits atop the mountain range, above the flames feeding on dense chaparral and grasses. “Young America's Foundation has emergency personnel on site, and our fire suppression systems are tested and ready to go,” it said.The fire erupted Monday near the Alisal Reservoir, and powerful winds from the north swept the flames down through the mountains, forcing the closure of U.S. 101 in western Santa Barbara County. At one point, the fire jumped the four-lane highway and reached a beach. The closure has forced motorists to take a circuitous detour on smaller routes.
“The aircraft are probably going to get shut down later this afternoon when the big winds return,” he said.
Why doesn't Prince Harry do something useful and help out these firefighters rather than just making faces into the window while his wife tries to pitch her latest idea?