Mitigating Future Debris Risk

By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   January 10, 2019

Next Wednesday, January 16, the Partnership for Resilient Communities and Montecito Union School’s superintendent Anthony Ranii will host an informational community meeting to discuss realistic opportunities to mitigate future debris flows. 

In late December, the Partnership received emergency permits to proceed with the installation of 11 debris flow control nets in San Ysidro, Buena Vista, and Cold Spring Canyons; authorization has also been received from the Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Wildlife, and Regional Water Quality Control Board. 

The environmentally friendly Swiss-made steel nets, which catch debris as it comes down the hillsides, have the capacity to catch nearly 100 cubic yards of debris; nearly twice the amount of debris that our three Montecito debris basins can accommodate. There are currently over 40 such nets in other areas of the state, including Big Sur, Santa Cruz, and Marin.

The meeting is an opportunity for community members to learn about the nets and other mitigation measures. Presenters include Ranii, former MUS board president and trustee Gwyn Lurie, former Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Pat McElroy, and Montecito Fire Operations Chief Kevin Taylor

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at Montecito Union School, 385 San Ysidro Road. For more information, visit www.partnershipsb.org. 

Remembering January 9, 2018

Local filmmakers Stan Roden and Phyllis de Picciotto have completed a tribute video that has been making the rounds on social media: Remembering January 9, 2018: Their Words, Their Photos, is a tribute to the first responders who risked their lives that day. 

The video presents eight Montecito firefighters who tell their unscripted, riveting stories from the tragic and devastating events on January 9; the Montecito Fire Protection District is credited with saving at least 800 residents. 

“As we all know, each member of the MFD and all of the other hundreds of responders had to improvise solutions to incredibly difficult challenges,” said filmmaker Roden. “This is a tribute to them.”

The video can be found at vimeo.com/305626499, or at www.baba2films.com. 

 

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