As the climate changes and wildfires in California become more frequent, the Santa Barbara Fire Safe Council’s new education program is promoting resilience through art.

The Wildfire Art Contest invites young artists ages 5-18 to express their creativity by drawing or painting a resilient landscape or ways to prepare their homes or families for wildfire.

The contest offers an opportunity to learn about wildfire resilience and raise awareness about the increasing wildfires in the region. It aims to help residents in Santa Barbara County to learn to live with fire, the council said.

Participants are encouraged to create an 8-inch-by-10-inch drawing or painting using any medium. The top entries will have the chance to win prizes through Visa gift cards, with values of $100, $50 and $25 for the first-, second- and third-place winners.

Submissions are due Oct. 30, and more information can be found at https://sbfiresafecouncil.org/contest/. 

Funding for the project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

For further questions about the contest, contact Melissa Wilder, education manager, at mwilder@sbfiresafecouncil.org or 805-220-9037 ext. 206.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council (SBCFSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to promote wildfire safety in Santa Barbara County through education and action.

From 2021 to the present, the organization has been awarded 11 grants totalling $12.1 million, and started 11 programs to promote wildfire safety in Santa Barbara County.

Learn more at sbfiresafecouncil.org.