Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) Where Needed Throughout the County
While several areas of Santa Barbara County benefit from the preparation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans, there are several areas of the County that do not currently have a plan that covers them.
Lompoc Fire Station Upgrades
In addition to lacking a CWPP, the City of Lompoc's main fire station is structurally unsound and in need of significant upgrades. The station houses equipment and personnel that serve the area, and the building's known structural issues create significant vulnerability…
City of Guadalupe LeRoy Park Fuel Reduction
Guadalupe City leaders noted that an area next to Leroy Park and adjacent to the Santa Maria River is considered a high fire risk to nearby vulnerable population concentrations.
Roadside Vegetation Management
Roadside vegetation management is a high impact fire risk reduction activity and is needed in high fire risk areas throughout the county. The RPP team recommends engaging local fire …
Expanded Countrywide Chipping Program for High Risk WUI Neighborhoods
Reducing combustible vegetation in the immediate vicinity of homes, other buildings, infrastructure and transit corridors is one of the most effective actions available for fire risk reduction in the county.
Fine Scale Mapping of Critical County Resources
A key SBC Fire Department leader shared that Santa Barbara County needs to increase the pace and scale of fine scale mapping of built and natural resources to facilitate effective planning and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Rail Corridor Fire Prevention
Much like roadsides, vegetation along railroad corridors creates risk of fire ignition and spread. With the increasing prevalence of homeless encampments along road and railroad corridors, particularly in and near urban areas…
Project Fundraising, Management and Collaboration Facilitation Capacity
Building resilience will require implementing the projects listed in the RPP, and doing so requires additional capacity to catalyze partnerships, further project planning, prepare compelling grant proposals, and successfully managing projects.
Assessment of Jurisdictional Wildland Firefighting Liability: Assessment and Education for Electeds
This is an educational tool that LAFCO needs to weigh the cost of wildfire suppression when considering a SOI, or more importantly, an annexation that involves any land with inherent fire severity.
Countywide Evacuation Route Assessment
Undertake a comprehensive evacuation study countywide across all jurisdictions to review existing evacuation routes for potential improvements. This has been done for smaller areas like portions of Mission Canyon…
Firefighting Infrastructure Needs Assessment
This project would refine our understanding of countywide needs for additional wildfire infrastructure (station upgrades, engines, safe areas, crews) building on the City Gate report that documented SBCFD infrastructure needs…
Wildfire Literacy Education: Educational Forum for Community Leaders
There is a need to enhance elected officials' understanding of the nuances and complexities of wildfire and its impact and importance in every arena of government activity. Wildfire helps define community needs…
Coordination of WUI Projects Across Management Entity Boundaries for example with LPNF, VAFB, Land Trusts, and County Parks
When fires occur, they often start in areas of the national forest and enter into the unincorporated WUI portions of the County. There is a need to conduct detailed mapping of invasive, flammable vegetation or other fire risks…