Montecito Neighborhoods Prepare for Wildland Fire Threat

MONTECITO, CA – Montecito residents will be participating in a unique fire hazard reduction program over the next several months. “Neighborhood Fire Prevention Clean-up” Ten neighborhoods have been organized with the specific mission of making their community safer from the threat of wildfire this summer. With the help of Montecito Fire Department Wildland Fire Specialists and key community volunteers, tons of flammable vegetation will be removed from around homes, creating better “Defensible/Survivable Space”.

Last year the District was able to remove 450 tons of flammable vegetation with this program.

Individual property owners do the majority of the work, cutting and removing vegetation from around their homes. During the designated clean up week, Montecito Fire Department will then have the vegetation chipped by local contractors.

In addition, MarBorg Industries is supporting the work by donating large “roll-off” containers in several key locations for the removal of vegetation that cannot be chipped.

The following dates are tentative and subject to change:

• March 10 – March 14 Lower Romero, Oak Grove, Alisos, Olive, Piedras, Veloz, Feather Hill, Knowlwood, Tabor, and Orchard (Completed)

• March 17 – March 21 Upper Romero, Park Hill Lane, Bella Vista, Park Lane, Park Lane West, Tollis, Buena Vista, and Olive

• March 31 -April 4 West Mountain Drive, Coyote, and Banana Road

• April 7 – April 10 Arcady, Knapp, Cowles, Barker Pass, Cottage, El Rancho, and Sky View

• April 14 – April 18 Sierra Vista, Nicholas, Ridge View, Canyon View, Sycamore Vista, Calle Elegante, Calle Hermosa, Crest View, and Ranchito Vista

• April 28 – May 2 East Mountain Drive, Irvine Brook Tree, Oak Creek Canyon, Ashley, and Ayala

• May 5 – May 9 Chelham, Dawlish, Stoddard, Cloydon Circle, and Paso Robles

• May 12 – May 16 Pepper Hill, Alston, Woodley, Glenview, Camino Viejo, Dulzura, and Alcala Lane

• May 27 – May 30 Hot Springs, Para Grande, Tejas Lane, and East Valley.

• June 2 – June 6 Hodges, El Bosque, Hodges, Bolero, Periwinkle, Juan Crespi, El Dorado, Live Oak, and Randall Lane.

Residents can start putting vegetation out on the roadway two weeks before the scheduled chip week.

Please remember that we cannot accept the placement of new vegetation after the scheduled start date.

Properly stacked vegetation will have the cut end facing the street.

Leaves, succulents, agave, pine needles, and palm fronds cannot be chipped.

Property owner are responsible for the proper disposal of these materials.

For more information on these projects, contact Jeff Saley or Kerry Kellogg at (805) 969-7762.