Tag archives: fire

For Friday’s recap, Montecito Fire Department Chief Neels celebrates Firefighter/Paramedic Trevor Oakley who recently completed his probation period; congrats! Oakley arrived at Montecito Fire in 2024 via his hometown Buellton neighbor, Montecito Firefighter Evan Hamaker. Oakley, “Personally, I’ve always gravitated toward the Montecito area. My wife Alexis and I spend a lot of time at […]

There’s no panacea for wildfire. But a multi-tiered approach to building resilience to wildfire by Montecito Fire Department, coupled with the community’s investment in preparedness, is providing priceless returns.  As we head into a new month, we’re looking back at recent Wildfire Prevention Programs that incrementally strengthen our ability to combat future wildfire challenges. Neighbors […]

A renewed legal and political firestorm is brewing off the Central Coast as federal authorities and fossil fuel companies push to restart oil production at the long-shuttered Santa Ynez Unit (SYU), while local environmental groups and Santa Barbara County mount legal resistance. The U.S. Department of the Interior has hailed the project’s revival as a […]

The Montecito Fire Department held a Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting at Montecito Union School on June 26, less than a week before California’s largest fire of 2025 broke out in Santa Barbara County. Montecito Fire sent an engine and several specially trained personnel to assist with managing the Madre Fire near Cuyama. Evacuations spanned rural […]

Westmont has welcomed a herd of sheep to campus to eat non-native vegetation and reduce wildfire fuel in the barranca west of Voskuyl Library, adjacent to the dry Westmont Creek. Coordinated by Montecito Fire, the flock from Cuyama Lamb will eat their fill before the grasses dry out later this summer and have the potential […]

Montecito resident Chris Dentzel’s secret to a good night’s sleep is not lavender, chamomile, or any of the usual somnolent suspects you might think of.  “I actually sleep a whole lot better,” Dentzel said. “And I know there are more things to do.”  The key to Dentzel’s tranquility is evident throughout his thoughtfully designed Sycamore […]

Local residents are reminded to attend the Wildfire Preparedness Meeting hosted by Montecito Fire on Thursday, June 26, at 6:00 pm in the Montecito Union School Auditorium. This panel discussion will bring together representatives from Montecito Fire and adjoining fire departments, MWD, SBC Sheriff’s Office, SBC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), CHP, and SBPD for […]

Despite the June gloom that is frequently obscuring our skies, the risk of wildfire looms. In coordination with all fire departments in Santa Barbara County, Montecito Fire Department declared the start of High Fire Season on June 2, 2025. As part of our routine preparation for peak fire season, Montecito Fire Department will host a […]

MFD Chief Neels celebrated Captain Jeff Villarreal and Engineer Eric Klemowicz for their sons, Jacob and Ethan respectively, having graduated Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy Battalion 155. Part of the celebration was the photo op in front of Montecito Fire Dept’s retired Engine 192, which MFD donated to Allan Hancock College’s Public Safety Training Center […]

If you have called 9-1-1 while in Montecito, Carpinteria or Summerland over the last 48 years, you would have been linked to a small but mighty dispatch center located within Montecito Fire Station 91 on San Ysidro Road.  The South Coast Dispatch Center provided full-time dispatch services for Montecito Fire Department starting in the fall […]

The Montecito Association Land Use Committee (LUC) April meeting was held at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom. The meeting was called to order by LUC Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the LUC members, Montecito Association Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels andBattalion Chief/Fire Marshall Aaron Briner, Lotusland Trustee […]

The recent rain is a welcome reprieve from the dry conditions that aided in propelling the devasting Palisades Fire near Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in the foothills of Altadena.  But this is no time to rest on our laurels.  “A few inches of late season rain are not enough to significantly move the […]

The Montecito Association Annual and January meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom, Tuesday, January 21. MA President Doug Black called the Annual MA meeting to order, and held a vote to ratify the 2025 actions of the MA Board. He highlighted what the MA accomplished in 2024, […]

Artist Ethan Turpin and scientist Naomi Tague explore their combined work for WILDLAND in a free public lecture, Beyond Data Visualization: Art-Science Collaboration with Ethan Turpin and Naomi Tague, on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 5:30-6:30 pm in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. No RSVPs are needed and light refreshments will be served.  Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art […]

We are in the middle of winter. January is not even over, yet over the past three months, we have seen multiple extreme, wind-driven wildfires devastate Southern California communities.  The Mountain Fire in Camarillo in November burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed over 240 structures.  The Franklin Fire in Malibu in December burned 4,000 acres […]

The Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation – in conjunction with the Carpinteria-Summerland Firefighters and the Carpinteria Firefighters Local 3368 – set up a donation drop-off at the house next to the Carpinteria fire station on Walnut Street. Heading the drive from the SBSCFF is its founder Gail Kvistad of “Living Local,” who has served […]

The Los Angeles area fires are a reminder to be prepared for any emergency situation. Start by registering for the Santa Barbara Countywide ReadySBC Alerts. The system is managed by Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in partnership with local cities. ReadySBC Alerts provide timely and accurate information during emergencies. OEM’s robust emergency […]

This past Thanksgiving, SYR’s talented culinary team donated a turkey dinner to Montecito Fire to show its appreciation for their ongoing and incredible support of the community. “In the spirit of giving thanks, we wanted to show our gratitude to the local heroes of Montecito Fire by preparing a full Thanksgiving spread. Our talented chefs […]

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 […]