Santa Barbara County has transitioned out of high fire season early this year, a shift that fire officials say was driven by record-setting November rainfall.
The recent storm brought more than 9.5 inches of rain to the city of Santa Barbara, marking the wettest start to a rainy season in 127 years of recordkeeping.
While reservoir levels remain mostly unchanged, the U.S. Drought Monitor has removed the “abnormally dry” designation that had lingered in parts of the region as recently as Nov. 11.
Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said the significant rainfall increased fuel moisture and altered vegetation conditions enough to support the department’s decision to move out of high fire season and into its winter preparedness level.
“It is now out of critical states,” Safechuck said.
He said that even though fire risk has been officially downgraded, wildfires remain possible year-round.
“If we get a couple days of dry weather with sundowners, the lighter vegetation can still catch fire,” he said.
The transition, announced Friday, also marks the point in the year when County Fire relaxes certain seasonal restrictions, including its permit burn program.
According to the department, the program is limited to primarily agricultural and hazard-reduction purposes and comes with a list of specific guidelines.
“They have to maintain certain parameters, and some of those parameters would be making sure that they are burning things that they’re allowed to burn and not burning things like trash,” Safechuck said.
Those requirements also include a prior inspection of the burn pile by the fire department and following basic safety measures, including monitoring the fire while it’s burning and keeping a water source nearby.
Residential backyard burn piles are allowed under the program, but Safechuck emphasized that eligibility is limited.
“It’s not like someone in Goleta can have a residential backyard burn permit,” he said, explaining that the category typically applies to properties in places such as the Santa Ynez Valley, where burning supports defensible space or fuel reduction work.
In an effort to reduce smoke impacts, the program allows only certain types of green waste. Safechuck said typical yard debris such as lawn trimmings and fallen leaves are not permitted. He added that residents with questions should call their local fire department for more information.
For a full list of guidelines or to check whether it is a permissive burn day, residents can call 805.686.8177 or visit sbcfire.com/permit-burning/.