Tag archives: wildfire
Wildfire prevention, winter storm preparedness, and public safety led the discussion at the Montecito Association’s September Board meeting, alongside updates on local schools, community projects, and MA initiatives. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department reviewed several incidents reported during August, including vehicle theft, burglary, DUI arrests, and continuing mailbox theft. Residents were encouraged to install […]
On Tuesday, June 2, Montecito Fire’s Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Gamm received the 2026 Rotary Club of Montecito Public Service Award. Nominated by his peers, Gamm was recognized for his exceptional work ethic, personal integrity, and exemplary service to our community. Jared’s wife, Shannon, and his children were able to join for this meaningful moment. MFD thanks […]
Santa Barbara County’s High Fire Season was officially declared on May 25, 2026 – signaling a heightened risk of potentially severe wildfire impacts in our local area. Just days prior to that announcement, a pair of Montecito firefighters deployed to Santa Rosa Island where a vegetation fire quickly grew to more than 16,000 acres – […]
The old adage, “April showers bring May flowers,” is not a complete bed of roses given high fire season predictions on the Santa Barbara County South Coast. Maeve Juarez is a wildland fire specialist with Montecito Fire Department and has been responding to wildfires across the Western United States for the better part of the […]
There’s a new buzz in Montecito – foreshadowing warmer, drier days to come. It’s the buzz of a chipping machine turning branches and brush into millions of tiny woodchips. Montecito Fire Department’s Neighborhood Chipping Program is now 17 years running. This year’s program kicked off February 9. The 10-week program will run every other week […]
On November 13, 2008, a wildfire started near a Montecito property known as the Tea Gardens. The Tea Fire was first reported at about 5:45 pm. Strong sundowner winds with gusts up to 85 miles per hour reignited smoldering embers of an illegal bonfire from the night before. At the time, Montecito Fire Marshal and […]
The California Board of Forestry (BOF) is closing in on Governor Gavin Newsom’s December 31 deadline to finalize new regulations that focus on clearing combustible materials within the first five feet of structures. “Montecito Fire Department has been keenly aware and engaged in Zone Zero discussions over the past five years,” said Montecito Fire Chief […]
Montecito Fire District Chief Neels and his teams have kept busy with Fire Prevention Week visits to local schools and water-rescue training off Butterfly Beach. He is also reminding residents that it’s time to start preparing for the 2026 Neighborhood Chipping Program by clearing vegetation that could put homes or businesses at risk. The Carpinteria–Summerland […]
Jorge’s nephew is a curious kid who wants to know stuff. That bodes well for the youngster growing up to be an interesting adult. One day, though, he stumped his uncle with a fairly straightforward question. “What’s your job, uncle Jorge?” East Camino Cielo Road in the Los Padres National Forest is the northernmost boundary […]
The recent article “Zero Zero: The Regulations Being Defined Right Now” leaves readers with several incorrect impressions about Zone Zero and California’s wildfire mitigation strategy. I have close family ties to the Montecito community and care deeply about its future. I also bring over 34 years of frontline and policy experience in wildfire suppression and […]
Within California’s high fire hazard areas, Zone Zero is defined as the first zero-to-five feet extending away from any structure. In the coming months, the California Board of Forestry will decide what you are allowed to have in this space nearest your home. If you live in Montecito or Santa Barbara between the Santa Ynez […]
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 […]
Seventeen-year-old Santa Barbara High School senior Hannah Hedrick was volunteering at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church following the Palisades Fire when she had an epiphany. Sorting through donated clothes and books for victims of the fire that burned down an entire community, including her cousins’ and aunts’ houses, she had a sense that she could make […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
