With flames from the Tea Fire still vivid in the public’s memories, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will hold a series of wildfire safety town hall community meetings in February.
On Feb. 9, the meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blochman School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Road, in Sisquoc. There’s also a meeting set for Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive, in Solvang.
Both meetings are open to the public.
No registration is required.
Fire officials will highlight several methods of fire prevention in a forum presentation titled, “Preparing For Your Next Wildfire.”
Locals are being asked to do even more than the California law mandates when it comes to building and maintaining defensible space around their homes. Fire officials will discuss the effectiveness of defensible space, as well as the relationship between homeowners and fire prevention officers. The forum will also touch on fire-resistant construction: its cost, livability, and effectiveness in withstanding a fire.
Fire officials will highlight the importance of home evacuations. According to a press release from County Fire, the Australian fire philosophy LEOSAD (Leave Early or Stay and Defend) has become a buzzword.
“We do not currently endorse it as it is practiced in Australia, but we are examining it closely in conjunction with other California fire agencies,” Capt. Eli Iskow said in the release. “When we issue a Mandatory Evacuation Order, we want you to leave. But there could be a situation when it is too late to leave.”
Following the presentation, County Fire officials will be on hand to answer questions from the public.
For more information, call County Fire headquarters at 681-5500 or visit sbcfire.com.
This article appears in Jan 22-29, 2009.