Fire season officially declared

 

The 2008 fire season is officially upon us.

On May 12, at 8 a.m., the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, in coordination with all other local fire departments, declared the beginning of Fire Season 2008 for all of Santa Barbara County.

All burning permits issued for hazard reduction in high fire hazard areas are now suspended within the jurisdiction of the county fire department until the termination of the fire season some time in late fall. Property owners should check with their local fire district regarding any variation in suspensions of permitted burning.

The declaration of fire season is based on the changing weather and condition of local vegetation. With the fire season declaration, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will be modifying its response to vegetation fires with increased personnel and equipment.

 

In a press release dated May 12, the fire department states, “With the heightened concern for the danger of fire in the wildland, as well as our wildland/urban interface areas, there is also the continuing need for homeowners to maintain their ‘defensible space’ by clearing and thinning brush on property to comply.”

As a part of the department’s Defensible Space and Hazard Reduction program 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. These notices indicate the start of yearly weed abatement requirements.

 

The county’s ‘Wildfire Action Plan,” is available online at http://www.sbcfire.com, providing information and convenient checklists that residents can fill out in advance to have all pertinent information at their fingertips in the event of a wildfire and evacuation.

“Large-scale, mass evacuations of communities require significant lead times. The safest course of action is to have a well-rehearsed plan in place to evacuate early or stay and defend long before the onset of a wildfire,” states the department’s webpage.

Residents may visit any local fire station and request a free inspection and pick up free pamphlets on fire safety.

For further information, contact Santa Barbara County Fire Department at (805) 681-5500. To request an inspection by phone, call  (805) 686-8170 or your local fire station.