CAL FIRE Offering $4.5M in Research Grants
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 16, 2024

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 […]

Don’t Let the Wet Winter Fool You… The Threat of Wildfire is Always There
By Christina Favuzzi   |   July 11, 2023

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 […]

 

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A Message from the Montecito Fire Chief Reflecting on 2022
By Kevin Taylor   |   February 21, 2023

On behalf of the Montecito Fire Protection District, it is a pleasure to share our 2022 Annual Report with our community. Over the past year, our organization experienced meaningful growth, identified opportunities for improvement, and realized significant accomplishments.  A noteworthy change in 2022 was the full return to engaging with our community in-person after the […]

Montecito Fire Chief to Retire
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 21, 2023

Earlier this week, Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor announced his upcoming retirement from the Montecito Fire Department after 35 years of service. Chief Taylor has served as fire chief since 2019; his last day at the helm will be March 31. “This career has been the honor of my life,” Chief Taylor told us during […]

New Wildfire Cameras Will Spot Fires on the Santa Barbara Front Country
By Christina Favuzzi   |   December 13, 2022

If you are looking for an unobstructed, panoramic view of the Santa Barbara South Coast, there are few better vantage points than from TV Hill. The back patio of KEYT News Channel’s newsroom has been the setting of annual Unity Telethons and countless news reporter live shots.  Flames also licked up the TV Hill hillside […]

The Building Blocks of Fire Prevention
By Christina Favuzzi   |   October 18, 2022

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.  […]

Neighborhood Chipping Program
By Christina Favuzzi   |   August 16, 2022

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.”  […]

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  • MFPD Approves Evacuation Study
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 2, 2022

    Last Friday, July 22, the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors was given a presentation by Chelsea Richer of Fehr & Peers, a consultant company hired by the District to conduct an in-depth study of the District’s evacuation plan. The study took hundreds of hours over 10 months to complete and provided the District […]

    Wildfire Expo: Getting Wise Around Fire
    By Jeff Wing   |   May 10, 2022

    Frankenstein’s monster perhaps said it best: “Fire bad.” This is a capable summation but lacks actionable detail — and here in the celebrated Wildfire State, actionable detail is what it’s all about. Fortunately, the good people of Santa Barbara County’s Firesafe Council are hosting a three-day event that promises not just to fill the gaps […]

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    Fire Department Updates
    By Kevin Taylor   |   May 10, 2022

    As high fire season approaches, your Montecito firefighters train for the inevitable: weeks of grueling work fighting wildfires across California and, potentially, here at home. Your firefighters are put through a wildland firefighting refresher course each spring in preparation.  Wildland Training Due to the physical demands of wildland firefighting, the refresher course includes a timed, […]

    The Small Home Upgrade That Could Save Your Home in a Wildfire
    By Christina Favuzzi   |   May 3, 2022

    Whether you are in the process of renovating your home or still in the planning and dreaming phase, your Montecito Fire Department has a project to add to your list – the vents.  Hear us out. Overhauling your vents may not be nearly as satisfying as a new kitchen, but having new vents could be […]

    New Regulations to Reward Fire Risk Reduction
    By Sharon Byrne   |   March 15, 2022

    California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announces new regulations to improve wildfire safety and drive down cost of insurance. Under the proposed regulations, which could be in effect by this summer, insurance companies would be required to factor consumers’ and businesses’ wildfire safety actions into their pricing of residential and commercial coverage. The new regulations also […]

    Montecito Fire’s Annual Neighborhood Chipping Program Now Underway
    By Christina Favuzzi   |   February 22, 2022

    Springtime in Montecito – the hills are green, the weather is beginning to warm, and there’s a new buzz in town. It’s the buzz of a chipping machine shredding cut branches and brush into a million tiny bits.  Montecito Fire’s Neighborhood Chipping Program is back for its 13th year. It kicked off on Valentine’s Day […]

    Montecito Fire Protection District Presents 2021 Annual Report
    By Christina Favuzzi   |   January 18, 2022

    As we step into 2022, Montecito Fire would like to share with the community our 2021 Annual Report. In it, we detail our successes and challenges in all aspects of our organization, from day-to-day operations to wildfire prevention work and community engagement. We encourage you to learn more about your Montecito Fire Department by reading […]

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