Maeve Juarez of the Montecito Fire Protection District shares during Tuesday's community meeting that the department has cleared 670 tons of brush from around homes during the past year through its chipping program.
Maeve Juarez of the Montecito Fire Protection District shares during Tuesday's community meeting that the department has cleared 670 tons of brush from around homes during the past year through its chipping program. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

With memories of the Palisades and Eaton fires still fresh in people’s minds, officials in the Montecito area want people to know they have a plan and are prepared for the upcoming fire season.

“We don’t do anything by random. Everything that we do is backed by research and science and experience and our behavior models,” said Maeve Juarez, a wildland fire specialist with the Montecito Fire Protection District.

Juarez spoke during the Preparedness Community Meeting on Tuesday night at Montecito Union School, which drew a crowd of about 70 people.

The Montecito community is no stranger to wildfires and also now has many families who relocated there after being displaced by the Los Angeles fires earlier this year.

As part of its preparation for the fire season, Juarez discussed the fire department’s chipping program. The program encourages residents to clear foliage from around their homes, and a contractor for the fire department will chip the vegetation and haul it away for free.

Last year, the program removed 670 tons of vegetation from residential areas.

“That equates to a school bus and a half of brush on the side of the road every day that our residents cut from around their driveways,” Juarez said.

The chipping program is part of the fire department’s push for creating defensible space around homes. That means removing anything flammable, including bushes and patio items.

Resident Thomas Korte asks a question about how to better protect his home in case of a wildfire during a community meeting Tuesday hosted by the Montecito Fire Protection District and other agencies.
Resident Thomas Korte asks a question about how to better protect his home in case of a wildfire during a community meeting Tuesday hosted by the Montecito Fire Protection District and other agencies. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

She also encouraged residents to contact the fire department to have a representative review their home to see how they can better protect the property

Nick Turner, general manager of the Montecito Water District, shared that the area’s water supply is secure. He credited that to heavy rainfall from the past few years and the district’s long-term planning, such as a water purchase agreement with the City of Santa Barbara. He said that will help Montecito during dry years.

Turner added that there are 950 fire hydrants located throughout the district, and all of them are in service. The water district is continually working to improve the water system’s resilience, he said.

Officials also talked about the need to prepare for emergency evacuations and monitor conditions.

Rich Brittingham of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office speaks at the meeting about how the sheriff's office handles evacuations. He urged residents to be prepared and leave the area if they feel unsafe at any time.
Lt. Rich Brittingham of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office speaks at the meeting about how the sheriff’s office handles evacuations. He urged residents to be prepared and leave the area if they feel unsafe at any time. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

Lt. Rich Brittingham of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents to sign up for ReadySBC emergency alerts if they have not already. He also stressed the need to listen to the threat level and prepare.

For threats for which residents need to shelter in place, he suggested having supplies such as food, water, medication and anything else needed.

When evacuation warnings are issued, residents need to start preparing to evacuate. Most residents can start preparing and packing their vehicles at that point.

However, Brittingham suggested that residents with special needs or circumstances, or anyone with large animals consider leaving at that point, too.

During evacuation orders, Brittingham said that’s the time to evacuate as soon as possible.

“I just want to remind you, if at any time, anybody, if you feel unsafe, please leave at this point. … If you feel unsafe, please do leave at that time,” Brittingham said.

It was also suggested that residents make sure they go home with a full tank of gas during red flag weather days, which indicate higher risk of wildfires, and keep their cell phones charged in case they need to evacuate.

A thank you sign created by families affected by the Pacific Palisades Fire, many of whom relocated to the South Coast after losing their homes.
A thank you sign created by families affected by the Pacific Palisades Fire, many of whom relocated to the South Coast after losing their homes. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photo

During questions from the crowd, officials talked about protecting homes and on-site water tanks. Fire staff said a tank could be helpful to firefighting efforts, but the firefighters would need to know it was there beforehand.

Additionally, they said residents should not try to stay on the property to protect their homes during a fire.

One of the people who asked a question during the event was Thomas Korte, who wanted to know more about home sprinkler systems. He said the meeting was useful and that he learned a lot.

Korte said he has lived in Montecito for about four years and lost a home to a fire in Healdsburg.

“We evacuated during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles,” Korte said. “It’s a reality. It’s the new reality.”

The event was hosted by the Montecito Fire Protection District and included representatives from the Montecito Water District, the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

— Noozhawk staff writer Daniel Green can be reached at dgreen@noozhawk.com.