Close to 3,000 acres have been burned along with the 100 Montecito homes that have been destroyed along the path of what has been dubbed the “Tea” fire.

Fire crews are curbing the blaze by burning a containment line around its perimeter. Broken water, gas, and electric lines have only added to the list of duties for the fire crews. According to Cal Edison, around 2,000 households are without electric.

Local crews and help from other counties are fighting the blaze by smoldering the fire with dirt. Helicopters are dousing hot spots with routine water drops where the fire is most active.

Fire officials say that the Santa Ana winds that are expected to arrive this evening could push the fire toward the coast, and that it is crucial to contain the fire as much as possible before the winds arrive.

“It’s important that we douse the fire as much as we can,” said Engineer Jaimes George, of the Upland Cucamonga fire station.

Nearby residents may have to take certain precautions if the fire moves in their direction. George said that residents need to follow these tips to keep people and their families safe:

? Keep all combustibles (gasoline, propane, oil) away from your home.

? Remove all plastics (benches, tables, play sets) at least 200-300 yards away from your property. Plastics also catch fire.

? Close windows, curtains and drapes to prevent radiating heat from entering your home.

In the case you find the fire nearing your home, you should:

? Evacuate your homes when fire crews tell you to.

? Pack a weekend’s worth of clothing.

? Make sure you have your valuables.

? Don’t waste time bringing the flat screen.

“Think of your life,” he said.

Even when the fire is extinguished, George said that smoldering the fire could take weeks, and nearby residents need to exercise these preliminary cautions anyway.