Tag archives: fire

Montecito Fire Department is pleased to present our new website, montecitofire.com. We have revamped our website to better serve our community. This includes a new Wildfire Preparedness StoryMap, a dynamic webpage with informational videos, interactive maps and helpful resources.  We developed this StoryMap as an alternative to our Wildfire Preparedness Community meetings. We heard your […]

The Montecito Fire Protection District is actively recruiting for an Administrative Assistant, deadline to submit applications is August 14, online applications only.  The ideal candidate will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, team player with strong written and oral communication skills, proficient with technology, and willing to learn new skills and applications. The ability to quickly […]

The MJ was asked to the installation and testing of the Mighty Fire Breaker MFB-31 Citrotech®system. The test took place at a Bella Vista Drive estate in Montecito on Wednesday, July 24. This is the first location in our town to install the fire-retardant system. When I arrived, Steve Conboy, Founder, President and Chief Technologist […]

The Montecito Association (MA) held its monthly board meeting on June 11 in person at the Montecito Community Hall. The agenda was Homeowners Insurance Availability and Solutions. The presenters were Kelly Weiser from The Weiser Agency and Grace Neumann, Managing Director of HUB International. In lieu of a formal presentation, MA Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, […]

On Monday, May 6, Montecito Fire Department placed the new Engine 92 into service with the support of more than a hundred community members, including children from Cold Spring School and Montecito Union School. Kids hosed down the engine and dried it off before we ceremoniously pushed it into the apparatus bay at Station 92. […]

The Montecito Fire Department is hosting a community event on Monday, May 6, at 4 pm to celebrate the arrival of their newest fire engine, Engine 92. The event will take place at Fire Station 92, located at 2300 Sycamore Canyon Road in Montecito, and will feature a traditional push-in ceremony where firefighters and community […]

Before we close out the first quarter of 2024, Montecito Fire Protection District is pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report to reflect on our successes, challenges, and opportunities to further provide the Montecito community with exceptional service.  “This report serves as a comprehensive overview of our department’s achievements and ongoing commitment to ensuring the […]

CAL FIRE has announced an open call for research projects for its Forest Health Research Program, applications are due January 31. They have set aside $4.5 million in grants for these projects.  CAL FIRE stated: “Funded by California Climate Investments, these grants will support research in crucial forest health and wildland fire science in California […]

The Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District has two announcements for our town: their Annual Santa Run and a call for applications for Firefighter Paramedics and Firefighter EMTs. Pat Cockrum, President of the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation, in conjunction with the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, announces their 3rd Annual Santa Run on December 9. The […]

Back in 2018, when the Montecito debris flows left huge swaths of the village buried under hundreds of tons of mud and other detritus, the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade (SBBB) was all over the news. The first responders had moved on, and the job of digging out was just beginning. Nearly every outlet around ran […]

At about 6:40 pm on Saturday, September 16, Montecito Fire responded to a bus fire on Highway 101 southbound near the Sheffield Drive exit. The driver of a tour bus noticed something was wrong with the vehicle, pulled over and evacuated the approximately 30 passengers and their luggage. The engine compartment of the bus caught […]

With hot temperatures continuing over the next week, Los Padres National Forest officials reminded visitors last week that an open fire ban remains in effect for the Santa Barbara front country while trail closures have been extended for the Old Romero Road (26W25), Romero Canyon Trail (26W14), and San Ysidro Trail (26W15 Singletrack) through August […]

Oprah Winfrey, who owns more than 2,000 acres on the Hawaiian island of Maui with three different properties, has been helping out at a local rescue center after the catastrophic wildfires killed nearly 100 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. The former TV talk show titan, 69, brought diapers, pillows, and bottles of shampoo to […]

Montecito Fire Department’s (MFD) Station 91 is an understated, red-tiled building in the foothills above Montecito – at a glance more “stately hacienda” than Command Center; though the hacienda’s 30’ aerial somewhat gives the game away. Fire Chief David Neels likewise cuts an approachable figure. Soft-spoken and earnest but given to sudden grins, he is […]

After a record-setting rain season and months of mild weather, the threat of wildfire may seem like less of a concern for the Santa Barbara County South Coast this year. As we celebrated the red, white, and blue over the past week, temperatures rose significantly for the first time in 2023. No matter how much […]

Director of Conservation and Research for The Los Padres ForestWatch Bryant Baker has announced their new phone app for the public to find real time information on forest and trail closures and conditions.  Baker says: “Due to damage caused by severe winter storms earlier this month, many trails and roads have been closed to public […]

Unless you’re a dog, most of us never think about fire hydrants until you need one. Such was the case when Robin Donaldson, an architect for a residential renovation project on Padaro Lane in Carpinteria, applied for a routine building permit with the county. His plans had already been approved by the California Coastal Commission […]

What comes to mind when you think of the month of October?  Probably, the color orange. Perhaps, a pumpkin. However, for local firefighters, the arrival of fall conjures up something else orange – wildfire.  The spring and fall months on Santa Barbara’s South Coast can be both the most spectacularly beautiful and the most treacherous.  […]

Oscar winning actor Kevin Costner opened the gates of his Carpinteria oceanside estate for One805LIVE! which attracted 1,500 guests and raised around $1 million for all three First Responder groups – fire, police, and the sheriff – purchasing equipment, supporting public safety and taking care of those who take care of us. Cars were parked […]

Resiliency is built over time, in small and large ways that collectively strengthen and prepare us for whatever challenges we might face.  “In Montecito, we know that wildfire will inevitably challenge us,” said Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor. “That’s why, our community has been building resiliency against wildfire threats on an ongoing basis for decades.”  […]