Santa Barbara County’s event marking the beginning of High Fire Season started late Monday because of multiple vegetation fires in the area.

“We’re not here to tell you we’re kicking off fire season. We’re here to tell you that we live in a fire-prone county, and today we’re here to tell you we’re ready for when the fire comes,” Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said.

Hartwig was the first of local fire, forest and county officials to speak at a press conference meant to mark the beginning of the 2024 High Fire Season and warn the public about how to prepare for the risk of wildfires.

The event was held at the Santa Ynez Airport at the top of the hill and started late because of fires that county crews needed to address, including a vegetation fire in Buellton that started around 11:30 a.m. Monday.

A series of vegetation fires started in the Cuyama Valley last week and have collectively burned more than 1,400 acres.

On Monday, there were also two separate structure fires reported in the county: an alleged arson blaze in Orcutt and a garage fire in Montecito.

In his speech, Hartwig stated that the fire department was ready for the upcoming season but stressed the need for the public to help by preparing their homes and looking out for their neighbors.  

“What we know is that fires spread in communities typically from areas and properties that aren’t as well cared for and or reduced as yours,” Hartwig said.

Hartwig encouraged the public to work together to coordinate and lend a hand to people who may need help. He also suggested programs such as Firewise USA as a way to build community support.

He continued by saying they are unsure what the next fire season will look like and what impact the extra rain will have.

“The rain brings a lot more vegetation, and vegetation, when it dries out, burns,” Hartwig told Noozhawk. “We just have a more abundant fuel bed. We call it a ‘bumper crop,’ and that’s what we’re seeing this year.”

How to Prepare

In her comments, Kelly Hubbard, the director of the County Office of Emergency Management, stressed the need for the public to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice. That includes preparing an emergency kit or checking old ones.

When evacuating, Hubbard suggested that the public consider what is most important and what they absolutely need.

Hubbard referred to what her office calls the “Ps” — items such as people, pets, prescriptions, important papers, and personal equipment such as laptops.

“Whatever those things are, think about what those are now. Have them identified, maybe have them packed up if you can, or at least have a list of what you know you’re going to want to take with you if you do have to evacuate,” Hubbard said.

She also encouraged people to sign up for emergency alerts from readysbc.org.

The site offers tools to prepare for emergencies and links to resources, and allows the public to sign up for emergency alerts. Residents can create an account and register multiple phone numbers for alerts.

Hubbard mentioned that only 15% of the population of Santa Barbara County has signed up for the alerts.

She finished by discussing how residents can prepare for wildfires even if they are not required to evacuate, specifically regarding air quality.

Areas with wildfires can have poor air quality since smoke and ash can carry particulate matter that can harm the lungs.

Aeron Arlin Genet, executive director of the Air Pollution Control District, encouraged residents to stay inside their homes when there are fires in the area, ideally inside a “clean room” with an air purifier.

Residents can check local air quality at ourair.org/ and a Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov.

Officials also stressed the need for the public to prep their homes and properties, which means clearing out brush and vegetation around their home.  

Hartwig stated that most homes will not burn down from direct flames, but from embers that get into parts of the house that are not protected from fire.

To combat that, officials suggest creating a buffer zone around a structure called “Zone Zero.” The zone is a zero- to 5-foot area around a home that is completely bare from vegetation.

The empty area may prevent a fire from finding more fuel and spreading to the structure. The space also keeps a building from being directly exposed to heat, flame or smoke, officials said.

Additionally, the location gives firefighters a space to work and defend the structure.

Hartwig said the best thing that residents can do is take precautions and make plans to protect their homes and neighbors.

“Be ready,” Hartwig said. “We are making sure if something happens, we’ll be ready to protect you.”

To learn more about preparing for wildfires, visit countyofsb.org/3852/Wildfire-Prep.