Aerial hydromulching is complete for about 1,000 acres of the Jesusita Fire Burn Area under Santa Barbara County jurisdiction.

The work began Sept. 15 as part of the county’s comprehensive Emergency Watershed Response Plan in preparation for the winter rainy season.

In conjunction with the county’s work, the U.S. Forest Service earlier this week announced plans to begin its portion of aerial hydromulching on about 200 acres affected by the Jesusita Fire. The federal work is expected to be performed by the same contractor that did the county area. The work should last about a week, weather permitting.

“We want to thank everybody for their patience and understanding during this time,” said Scott McGolpin, director of the county’s Public Works Department. “The buzz of the airplanes was music to some, but we realize the noise and activity may have been disruptive for others. We worked hard to get this done as quickly and as safely as possible.”

McGolpin also reminded residents to review their homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance policies now, before the rainy season begins this month. People who live downstream from burn areas — including the recent La Brea Fire in the north county area and the Gap, Tea and Jesusita fires in the South Coast — should consider buying flood insurance if they don’t have existing policies. Flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, he said.

Tips on preparing for the rainy season, including the county’s new brochure on flood awareness, is available online at www.CountyofSB.org.

The county-area hydromulching project cost about $3.4 million. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conversation Service pays about 75 percent of the cost, or about $2.55 million. About $50,000 in cost-sharing comes from the city of Santa Barbara, while most of the remaining costs, about $638,000, is paid by the state, with the county paying the remaining cost.

The Jesusita Fire burned about 8,700 acres, damaging several important watersheds and wildlife areas. Once burned, watersheds exhibit dramatically different behavior vs. unburned watersheds, including increased amounts of debris, sediment and runoff during winter rains, including light rains. Efforts to restore burned areas are critical to reducing the threat of downstream flooding to homeowners, commercial property and other infrastructure.

The hydromulching project is one part of an overall winter preparedness plan being coordinated by the county. Other projects that are now done, or nearing completion, include stream clearing of watercourses; construction of debris racks; removal of rock deposits on Mission Creek, and clearing existing debris basins. All of the elements of the plan are scheduled to be completed by mid-October.

— William Boyer is the communications director for Santa Barbara County.