Occasionally extremely destructive fires originate in the Santa Ynez Mountains . In June 1990 , a fire which began near Painted Cave burned south into the city of Santa Barbara , driven by sundowner winds , destroying over 500 homes . A fire in the 1940s destroyed most of the mansion that is now called Knapp 's Castle . More recent fires , such as the Tea and Jesusita fires , have also been destructive to properties
Jesusita
Jesusita Fire
Santa Ynez Mountains