Tag archives: Montecito Fire
This month, Santa Barbara County public safety officials are joining together to highlight National Preparedness Month with a countywide theme of “Preparedness Starts with You.” Community members are encouraged to take simple proactive steps to protect themselves, their families, pets, and neighborhoods before the next emergency incident occurs here. “Our community knows firsthand how suddenly […]
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 […]
Frank Meeink, a former neo-Nazi skinhead recruiter turned Jewish educator, will share his extraordinary story in “Hate to Hope,” a public talk on Thursday, August 14, at 6 pm at the Louise Lowry Davis Center in Santa Barbara. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was drawn into violent white supremacy as a teen before prison friendships, […]
Our blue skies and summer sunshine have been mired by smoky, ashy conditions caused by the Gifford Fire burning in northeastern Santa Barbara County. While the fire is a considerable distance from Montecito, the smoky skies trigger visceral memories and even fear for many community members who have lived through wildfires here. We are in […]
Montecito Fire Dept. Chief Neels shares to the community, “On June 26, 2025, our partners from Montecito Water District, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, neighboring fire agencies, and local community organizations joined us to discuss how your public safety agencies collaborate before, during and after emergencies.” The meeting […]
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 […]
This July 4th, San Ysidro Ranch invites guests to its “Fourth of July in the Gardens” celebration – a festive afternoon of elevated Americana. From 12 to 4 pm, enjoy live music, lawn games, and patriotic décor in the sun-drenched gardens. Indulge in a gourmet Santa Maria-style barbecue featuring Snake River Farms Wagyu tri-tip, Jidori […]
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 […]
Montecito Fire Department Chief David Neels announced on April 16 that Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Gamm was bestowed the Military Order of the World Wars Award for his exceptional service to the Montecito community and dedication to providing emergency medical training to both members of our department and various community groups. Presenting the award was Brigadier General […]
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 Montecito Fire Department started its 2025 chipping and fire fuels reduction program on February 18, and continues for 10 weeks, concluding on June 23. Community members may schedule a complimentary Defensible Space Survey with a member of the Montecito Fire Prevention Bureau by calling (805) 969-7762 or emailing [email protected]. MFD has an interactive map […]
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 MA sent out a reminder that with the recent rainfall – Montecito had between 2.66-3.22” of rain – that sprinklers can be turned off for a while in an effort to save water. Also, Montecito Fire’s Neighborhood Chipping Program begins next week and will run through June 23. There is now an Interactive Neighborhood […]
For the 7th year, the lives of the 23 Montecito residents who lost their lives in the 2018 mudslides were honored in a solemn ceremony, Raising Our Light, on Thursday, January 9, outside in the Montecito Union School parking lot. There, with the Montecito Fire Department Engine as backdrop, was the podium for the speakers […]
January 9th, 2018, is a night that Montecito will never forget, yet nature has provided some unwanted reminders. In 2023, heavy rains, flooding, and evacuations all took place on the very day of the 5th anniversary of the tragic Debris Flow in Montecito that took 23 lives. Even now, as the community prepares for the […]
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 […]
As the concern for wildfire is a major topic in the area and considering the role that the Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) plays in our community, the Montecito Journal wanted to reach out to each of the five candidates running for the three open seats in the November 5th general election. The MFPD is […]
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 […]
