Preparing for Wildfire in Montecito
Montecito Fire Department
Welcome to Montecito Fire Department's Wildfire Preparedness Story Map!
This interactive site aims to provide our community members with critical information to prepare you, your family, and your property for wildfire.
What We'll Cover:
Wildfire & Weather Fire Danger Outlook
Nic Elmquist is a Wildland Fire Specialist with Montecito Fire Department and a qualified Fire Behavior Analyst. He explains how weather, topography and fuels interact during wildfires on the Santa Barbara Front Country and gives us an update on the fire danger outlook for this fire season.
Preparing Your Property for Wildfire with Home Hardening
Montecito Wildland Fire Specialist Maeve Juarez explains why the spring and early summer months are an ideal time to harden your home against wildfire.
① Start at the Front Door
Start at the Front Door
You can start hardening your home against wildfire by inspecting your doors. Maeve talks us through what to look for and how to ensure your doors are not vulnerable to ember intrusion.
② Look Up at Your Eaves & Gutter
Look Up At Your Eaves & Gutters
Next, let’s look up at your home’s eaves and gutters. Maeve explains the importance of keeping your eaves and gutters clear of cobwebs and debris and how to “harden” these areas of your home.
③ Go to the Garage
Go to the Garage
If you stand inside your garage with the door closed, do you see light shining through? If so, embers may make their way inside your garage and cause significant fire damage.
④ An Easy Fix for Vulnerable Vents
An Easy Fix for Vulnerable Vents
One of the easiest, low-cost ways to harden your home is upgrading your vents with 1/8-to-1/16-inch galvanized steel screening. While you can absolutely DIY this project, Montecito Fire Department is also happy to recommend several businesses that professionally install ember-resistant vents.
⑤ Fences in the First 5 Feet
Fences in the First 5 Feet
Do you have a wooden fence, deck or pergola that directly touches your home? Maeve explains why it is beneficial to replace these structures with a non-combustible alternative.
To learn more about how to harden your home against wildfire, visit the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council’s Home Hardening Guide .
What is Defensible Space?
Defensible Space is critical to protecting your home from wildfire damage. Maeve explains what we want to see in the first five feet of your home, also known as Zone Zero or the Ember Intrusion Zone.
Defensible Space Zones
Zone Zero: Make the First Five Feet Closest to your Home Ember-Resistant
- Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, or concrete. No combustible bark or mulch.
- Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.
- Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet.
- Limit combustible items (like outdoor furniture and planters) on top of decks.
- Relocate firewood and lumber to Zone 2.
- Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.
- Consider relocating garbage and recycling containers outside this zone.
- Consider relocating boats, RVs, vehicles, and other combustible items outside this zone.
Zone One: Keep it Lean, Clean & Green Within 30 Feet
- Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.
- Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles.
- Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
- Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.
Zone Two: Reduce Fuels Within 100 Feet of Your Home
Continue reducing potential fuel within 100 feet or the property line. 100 feet of defensible space is required by law. Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291
- Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of four inches.
- Create horizontal space between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
- Create vertical space between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
- Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of three inches.
- Keep 10 feet of clearance around exposed wood piles, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.
- Clear areas around outbuildings and propane tanks. Keep 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior.
Defensible Space was key in preventing this property from being destroyed during the 2008 Tea Fire.
Request a Defensible Space Survey with Montecito Fire Department
Request a Defensible Space Survey with Montecito Fire Department
Schedule a complimentary Defensible Space Survey with a member of our Fire Prevention Bureau today by calling 805-969-7762 or emailing preventionmail@montecitofire.com
Be Ready for Wildfire Evacuations
Being “ready for wildfire” starts with your mindset and mental preparation. Maeve talks to us about paying close attention to the weather and wildfire risk, plus, developing good habits to ensure you can evacuate safely with as little stress as possible.
Be Ready for Wildfire Evacuations
Review the Montecito Evacuation Map
Montecito Fire Division Chief of Operations Travis Ederer shows us the Montecito Evacuation Map, explains recent changes to evacuation zones and underscores the importance of leaving early during an emergency incident.
Review the Montecito Evacuation Map & Know Your Zone
Understanding Emergency Protective Areas
During an emergency, protective actions may be issued by public safety officials. This is a coordinated effort between fire, law enforcement and the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. Commander Brad Welch with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office explains the three protective actions we use in our community and what to do.
Understanding Emergency Protective Actions
Stay In the Know with Local Emergency Alerts
If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you! Please sign up to receive local emergency alerts, called ReadySBC Alerts, by visiting readysbc.org . If you are already signed up, please log into your account to verify that all your contact and address information is still correct. Jackie Ruiz, Public Information Officer for the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, talks us through the local emergency alert processes and how you can stay informed.
Stay In the Know with Local Emergency Alerts
ReadySBC | Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website
