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Reducing Fire Hazards Around Your Home
A
"defensible" space of 100
feet around your home is required by law*. The goal is to create an
area to assist in the protection of your home and to protect the lives of
firefighters. The Defensible
Space around your home is critical in stopping a wildfire before it
destroys your home. It is the responsibility of every homeowner to learn
how
to make your home "fire safe".
Every year the County Fire Department sends notices to abate fire hazards to the owners of all properties in county fire jurisdiction that potentially pose a fire hazard, in conjunction with public education efforts through media outlets such as local television stations and newspapers. These notices indicate the start of yearly weed abatement requirements. Property owners have approximately three weeks to meet the requirements for clearing property outlined in the notice for their property.
A misdemeanor citation is issued to all property owners that do not comply
by the compliance date. Issuance of a misdemeanor citation may require an
appearance in court. If for any reason the County Fire Department is forced
to abate a fire hazard, the owner will pay all costs involved, which will
be added to the taxes assessed against the property.
Please visit our "Related Links" in the right hand column for
more information.
* These regulations affect most of the grass, brush, and
timber-covered private lands in the State. Some fire department jurisdictions
may have additional requirements. Some activities may require permits for
tree removal. Also, some activities may require special procedures for,
1) threatened and endangered species, 2) avoiding erosion, and 3) protection
of water quality. Check with local officials if in doubt. Current regulations
allow an insurance company to require additional clearance. The area to
be treated does not extend beyond your property. The State Board of Forestry
and Fire Protection has approved Guidelines to assist you in complying with
the new law.
For more information call Captain Mark Mushinskie at (805) 686-5066.
Preparing For Your Next Wildfire
Below is a link for anyone that missed our “Preparing For Your Next Wildfire” Town Hall Community Meetings conducted throughout Santa Barbara County in February, 2009, and would like to see a recorded one. Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials discussed the latest information on “What to do if you find yourself trapped in your home by a wildfire”, “How to make your home more ignition and fire resistive with new building materials and principles”, and we reviewed the basics of “Defensible Space”. The entire presentation is shown and is followed by a question and answer period.
Please visit "Preparing For Your Next Wildfire" Town Hall Community Meeting
This recording was made by County TV Channel 20 from the Town Hall Meeting at The Museum of Natural History Fleischman Auditorium in Santa Barbara on February 25, 2009.
Landscape Design Can Save Your Home
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good landscape design can significantly reduce or prevent wildfire damage
to home and property. Sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara the Firescape
Demonstration Garden is designed to show how landscaping can be
firesafe, water efficient and beautiful all in one design. The garden lies
within a fire prone, oak woodland environment. It features 1.7 acres of
water efficient, native and non-native plants. The garden is designed as
a self-guided tour and is divided into four zones that help reduce the spread
of wildfire to your home. The garden is located at the intersection Mission
Ridge Road and Stanwood Drive, across from the City of Santa Barbara Fire
Station at 2411 Stanwood Dr. The garden is open from 8A.M. to sunset daily
and admission is free!