Given the amount of rain that has fallen over the past month or so, the threat of wildfire may not be on anyone’s mind.

When Lake Cachuma’s water level rises 50 feet in less than a week, the ground is so soaked that it will take weeks to dry out, and even more rain is on the horizon, it’s understandable that people are worried more about mudslides than the next big blaze.

But as things dry out, as they inevitably will, and the hillsides filled with an abundance of new growth begin to dry out in the late spring and summer months, what we do now could mean the difference between a survivable wildfire season and a disastrous one.

Fire Safe Workshop March 24-25

To help homeowners understand the potential risks they may be facing this summer, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council is hosting a free one day Home Hardening and Defensible Space Workshop on Friday, March 24. RSVPs are required. 

As a bonus on Saturday, the Fire Safe Council will host what they are calling a Public Exposition from 2 to 5:30 p.m. where people can explore different home hardening and defensible space options with live demos.

Whether you live in an area identified as having fire fire risk or a more urban area that is less fire prone, you can benefit from learning how to lower the level of risk in your home.

Friday’s session will be in person only with Saturday the option of attending in person or virtually. For those who do attend in person on Friday lunch and free raffle tickets will be included. 

Updated Fire Hazard Draft Map Available

Currently the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) is in the process of updating its Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.

The map may be helpful in understanding if you are in one of the areas proposed as a higher fire severity zone.

Included along with information regarding the proposed changes are fire severity maps of the state, each county, and an interactive viewer that allows comparison between the proposed changes and those in 2007.  

The catch, though, is that the map only displays those that fall under state responsibility areas (SRAs). Nor are any of the Federal lands displayed.

Other parts of the county fall under what are known as LRA or local responsibility areas. These include those served by and Santa Barbara City and County Fire or the Montecito and Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection Districts.

Currently all are working with CalFire to develop zone maps for each of their responsibility areas.

Shifting Hazard Ratings

You should also note that the high fire hazard zone being proposed for Santa Barbara County will increase by 24% if the changes are approved.

“Much of this is due to changes in the fire behavior modeling that CalFire is using now,” County Fire Marshall Rob Hazard explains to me. 

“The role the wind and ember cast plays is now understood much better,” he adds, “and as a result many zones previously rated high hazard areas are now rated very high.” 

There is also a much better understanding of the role that climate change, unstable weather patterns and drought have played in the increase in high probability fire areas here and the state in general.

The bottom line though, is that we live in an area where it is critical that we use every opportunity to protect ourselves when the next big fire occurs.

Risk vs. Hazard

But while hazardous fire conditions may be increasing, the level of risk to homeowners have who live in those areas doesn’t necessarily need to increase. 

The degree of hazard focuses on two key things: what the probability of an area burning is; and what type of fire behavior can we expect will occur under extreme fuel and weather conditions.

Risk management focuses on mitigating those probabilities, which makes the upcoming Firesafe workshop of vital importance.

Dealing with Insurance

Dealing with the risks involved when living in high fire hazard areas also means the potential for higher homeowner insurance costs, something that has been an increasing issue for many homeowners.

Topping off the day on Saturday, a 2 p.m. talk on the Future of Wildfire Insurance by a former CalFire chief is on the agenda.

If you have concerns about your homeowner insurance plan consider attending.