Defensible Space Inspections
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. May 14th, 2020– Beginning June 1st, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) will be conducting defensible space inspections. A minimum of 100 feet of defensible space is required around your home in Santa Barbara County. Engine companies will perform inspections and provide homeowners with educational material on how to comply. With the year-round threat of wildfire, the defensible space requirement is enforced at all times in Santa Barbara County. Non- compliant homeowners are subject to be cited.
The SBCFD reminds people that defensible space is the area around a structure, free of flammable plants and objects, that creates a zone in which firefighters can operate safely in order to help protect a home during a wildfire. This space is wide enough to prevent direct flame impingement and reduce the amount of radiant heat reaching the structure. The defensible space for each structure varies and depends on the type of vegetation and topography. Maintaining this defensible space is critical.
The Ready! Set! Go! Program was launched in May 2009 as a new approach to educating Southern California residents about the now year-round threat of wildfire. This public education program seeks to gain active public involvement in reducing life and property loss caused by wildfires.
This program is presented in three steps:
Ready! Prepare yourself, your family and your property.
Set! Monitor fire weather/activity and prepare to evacuate.
Go! Leave early when directed to by public safety officials.
To learn more about Ready! Set! Go! please visit https://www.sbcfire.com/vegetation- management/
Additional information as well as an online survey are available from Cal Fire at https://www.fire.ca.gov/DSpace
Maintaining defensible space is critical in stopping a wildfire from destroying your home. Defensible space is part of every homeowner’s responsibility.
High Fire Season Preparedness and Response Levels
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. May 13th, 2020 – On May 18, 2020, the Santa Barbara County
Fire Department (SBCFD), in conjunction with all other local fire jurisdictions, will
declare the beginning of the 2020 High Fire Season period for all areas of Santa Barbara
County.
Because of this declaration, all burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard
reduction will be suspended. In addition, the SBCFD will be increasing the number of
resources (e.g., engines, dozers, crews, helicopters, etc.) responding to reported
vegetation fires during the High Fire Season.
The SBCFD would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone who lives, works,
and plays in Santa Barbara County to be extra vigilant about fire safety this fire season.
Remember to maintain vegetation clearance around structures, review and be familiar
with your “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, and be extra cautious and aware when
traveling or staying in the wildland areas of the county.
For more information about Ready! Set! Go! Please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Contact Information:
Captain Daniel Bertucelli
Information Officer
Office 805-681-5531
Cell 805-896-6336
News Line 805-681-5546
Email Daniel.Bertucelli@sbcfire.com
Twitter @SBCFireInfo
All Santa Barbara County Fire Department News Releases are available at
www.sbcfire.com
Mission Canyon Brush Chipping – June 2, 2020
The Mission Canyon Association and Santa Barbara County Fire are partnering again to sponsor brush chipping on designated streets to prepare our neighborhoods for high-fire season.
Santa Barbara County Fire has identified Mission Canyon Road (900 block and up), Tunnel, Las Canoas (part in the county), Montrose, and Cheltenham roads this year as designated chipping streets. Chipping is scheduled to start on Tuesday, June 2 (barring fire events), and all brush to chip must be placed on the curb by Monday, June 1. If you have any specific questions please contact Captain Jason Sweet (info below).
The chipping crew will only make one pass and anything left curbside after the crew comes through will not be chipped. There are NO designated drop off areas other than the identified streets. If you would like to participate and have an address on one of the designated streets but your home is set back from the main road, please work with your neighbors who live along the main road to find a safe and acceptable area to leave your brush.
The following chipping instructions from Santa Barbara County Fire must be followed:
• Stack all cut vegetation by the first day of scheduled chipping. Chippers will only make one pass per area. Material stacked after the start date will not be chipped. It will be the homeowner’s responsibility to remove.
• Cut material should not be placed along the roadway until 2 weeks prior to chipping.
• Lay cut vegetation in a pile along the street area (in a turnout or shoulder, for instance) and outside of the drivable roadway.
• Set brush 3 to 5 feet from fences, power poles, landscaping, trees, structures, etc. so crews can quickly distinguish what is to be chipped — and what is not.
• Give 5 feet of vertical clearance from tree limbs overhead.
• The cut end of all vegetation must face the street so the chipping crew can grab it.
• Branches and limbs should be no greater than 6 inches in diameter.
• Piles must be stacked no more than 4 feet in height. Long piles are OK as long as they are not over 4 feet in height.
• Brush should be left in long lengths (4 to 7 feet). Cut vegetation is much easier to chip when it is longer.
• Cut vegetation should not be tied into bundles.
• Old dead vegetation that has been lying around for years cannot be chipped (this type of vegetation damages chipper blades).
• Piles or materials such as root balls that have rocks, dirt, or other debris cannot be chipped.
• Piles pushed or moved by mechanical equipment, i.e. tractor, will not be chipped.
• Material in plastic bags will not be picked up or chipped.
• Plants that cannot be chipped are: pine needles, leaf litter, agave and succulents, palm fronds, exotic pests such as castor bean, arundo, thistle, pampas grass, Scotch/French/Spanish broom, bamboo, Cape/German ivy
If you have questions or have a special request please contact Capt. Jason Sweet, Fire Prevention, Santa
Barbara County Fire: 805-896-6350 or Jason.Sweet@sbcfire.com. Thank you for keeping our canyon more
fire safe. — Ray Smith, Chair, MCA Fire Committee
The Fall 2019 Newsletter is now available
Residential and commercial addressing
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department would like to remind people of the importance of residential and commercial addressing. Click here for more info.
The Spring Newsletter is now available.
Mesa cameras
All Santa Barbara Mesa cameras are now available on the HPWREN website: http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/victrace.html
Additionally the PTZ camera can be viewed through the ALERTWildfire website which provides the ability for immediate time lapse replays and other nice features.
http://www.alertwildfire.org/orangecoca/
Paradise Fire
Lessons Learned from the Paradise Fire
– Article by Karl Hutterer, former Director of the SB Museum of Natural History (Jan 2019)
Local Articles
Some Local Articles about Climate Change and Mission Creek Bridge (Jan 2019)
– https://www.independent.com/news/2018/dec/06/climate-extremes-new-norm/
– https://www.edhat.com/news/historic-mission-creek-bridge-is-safe
– https://www.edhat.com/news/the-truth-about-the-historic-mission-creek-bridge
Fall 2018 Newsletter Now Available
Porta-potty near Tunnel Trail head
Mission Canyon Association along with Supervisor Das Williams sponsor a porta-potty for the area near the Tunnel Trail head. Read more about this in our current newsletter.
Mission Canyon Chipping Week Update June 1, 2018
County Fire has completed chipping the brush left at the turnout below the Tunnel/Mission Canyon Wye as of today. Please do not deposit any more brush there.
Also, whoever left rock, rubble, and trash at the turnout, please remove it. That material cannot be chipped.
Thank you, everyone. The brush work is otherwise going well and will be completed in a day or two. Mission Canyon Association
Mission Canyon Chipping Week Starts May 29, 2018.
Along with Santa Barbara County Fire, your Mission Canyon Association is sponsoring a week of brush chipping to prepare our neighborhoods for high-fire season. Now is the time to trim grasses, bushes, and low tree branches on our properties and any ladder fuels near homes. (For defensible space guidelines, see sbcfire.com/vegetation-management.)
The chipping crew will make one pass along Mission Canyon, Tunnel, Las Canoas, Montrose, and Cheltenham roads beginning May 29, as long as the crew isn’t called to a fire. Brush can also be left at the large turnout on Mission Canyon Road above Foothill Road.
These chipping instructions must be followed:
Stack all cut vegetation by the first day of scheduled chipping for your area. Chippers will only make one pass per area. Material stacked after the start date will not be chipped. It will be the homeowner’s responsibility to remove.
Cut material should not be placed along the roadway until 2 weeks prior to chipping.
Lay cut vegetation in a pile along the street area (in a turnout or shoulder, for instance) and outside of the drivable roadway.
Set brush 3-5 feet from fences, power poles, landscaping, trees, structures, etc. so crews can quickly distinguish what is to be chipped – and what is not.
Give 5 feet of vertical clearance from tree limbs overhead.
The cut end of all vegetation must face the street so the chipping crew can grab it.
Branches and limbs should be no greater than 6 inches in diameter.
Piles must be stacked no more than 4 feet in height. Long piles are OK as long as they are not over 4 feet in height.
Brush should be left in long lengths (4-7 feet). Cut vegetation is much easier to chip when it is longer.
Cut vegetation should not be tied into bundles.
Old dead vegetation that has been lying around for years cannot be chipped (this type of vegetation damages chipper blades).
Piles or materials such as root balls that have rocks, dirt, or other debris cannot be chipped.
Piles pushed or moved by mechanical equipment, i.e. tractor will not be chipped.
Material in plastic bags will not be picked up or chipped.
Plants that cannot be chipped are: pine needles, leaf litter, agave and succulents, palm fronds, exotic pests such as castor bean, arundo, thistle, pampas grass, Scotch/French/Spanish broom, bamboo, Cape/German ivy.
If you have questions, please contact Capt. Fred Tan, Fire Prevention, Santa Barbara County Fire: 805-896-6350 or Fred.Tan@sbcfire.com
This program is provided through the $35 Association dues so many residents pay. Thank you for keeping our canyon more fire safe.
Ray Smith, Chair
MCA Fire Committee
High Fire Season Preparedness and Response Levels (May 2017)
On Monday, May 22, 2017, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD), in conjunction with all other local fire jurisdictions, will declare the beginning of the 2017 High Fire Season period for all areas of Santa Barbara County.
Because of this declaration, all burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard reduction will be suspended. In addition, the SBCFD will be increasing the number of resources (e.g., engines, dozers, crews, helicopters, etc.) responding to reported vegetation fires during the High Fire Season.
The SBCFD would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone who lives, works, and plays in Santa Barbara County to be extra vigilant about fire safety this fire season. Remember to maintain vegetation clearance around structures, review and be familiar with your “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, and be extra cautious and aware when traveling or staying in the wildland areas of the county.
For more information about Ready! Set! Go! Please visit www.sbcfire.com.
NOTIFICATION OF ROAD CLOSURE (May 2107)
MONTROSE PL
AT: 2663 MONTROSE PL
DATE: WEDNESDAY- MAY 31.2017
TIME: 8:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY, THROUGH THElR CONTRACTOR, HOTLINE
CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE REMOVING AND REPLACING A POWERPOLE AT:
2663 MONTROSE PL
A TRAFFIC ROAD CLOSURE WILL BE IN AFFECT DURING THE DATE OF:
WEDNESDAY- MAY 31.2017
NO THRU TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED PAST THE FOLLOWING:
2656 & 2665 MONTROSE PL
PLEASE PARK A WAY FROM THE “NO PARKING” SIGNS. EMERGENCY VEHICLES WILL HAVE ACCESS WHEN WORK AREA IS CLEARED AND DEEMED SAFE TO DRIVE THRU.
YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION IS APPRECIATED AS EDISON WORKS TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL SERVICES.
PLEASE NOTE THE WORK PLANNED FOR; WEDNESDAY- MAY 31. 2017
BETWEEN THE WORK HOURS OF: 8:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
HOTLINE CONSTRUCTION: CARLOS RODRIGUEZ (951) 692-8709
Defensible Space Inspections (May 2017)
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. May 10, 2017– Beginning June 1, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) will be conducting defensible space inspections. A minimum of 100 feet of defensible space is required around your home in Santa Barbara County. Engine companies will perform inspections and provide homeowners with educational material on how to comply. With the year-round threat of wildfire, the defensible space requirement is enforced at all times in Santa Barbara County. Non-compliant homeowners are subject to be cited.
The SBCFD reminds people that defensible space is the area around a structure free of flammable plants and objects that creates a zone in which firefighters can operate safely in order to help protect a home during a wildfire. This space is wide enough to prevent direct flame impingement and reduce the amount of radiant heat reaching the structure. The defensible space for each structure varies and depends on the type of vegetation and topography. Maintaining this defensible space is critical.
The Ready! Set! Go! Program was launched in May 2009 as a new approach to educating Southern California residents about the now year-round threat of wildfire. This public education program seeks to gain active public involvement in reducing life and property loss caused by wildfires.
This program is presented in three steps:
Ready! Prepare yourself, your family and your property.
Set! Monitor fire weather/activity and prepare to evacuate.
Go! Leave early when directed to by public safety officials.
To learn more about Ready! Set! Go!, please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Maintaining defensible space is critical in stopping a wildfire from destroying your home. Defensible space is part of every homeowner’s responsibility.
4410 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
ERIC L. PETERSON
FIRE CHIEF
Contact Information:
Captain Dave Zaniboni
Information Officer
Office 805- 681-5531
Cell 805-896-6336
News Line 805-681-5546
Email david.zaniboni@sbcfire.com
Twitter @SBCFireInfo
All Santa Barbara County Fire Department Public Service Announcements are available at www.sbcfire.com
Mission Canyon Vegetation Chipping / Hazard Reduction (Brush Day) Starts May 31, 2017
This year, MCA’s hazard reduction will be by county hand crew on Mission Canyon Road, Tunnel Road, and Las Canoas Road starting on May 31st. County Fire anticipates 5 to 7 days for completion. As last year, they will chip any vegetation brought to wide shoulders on the above-mentioned roads. If not on Mission Canyon, Tunnel or Las Canoas Roads, you may take vegetation to the wide area on Mission Canyon Road north of Station 15. Detailed chipping directions follow:
Chipping Instructions
Please Note: There are very specific requirements regarding what can be chipped and how vegetation should be stacked. The following chipping instructions outline specific requirements. Vegetation that does not meet these requirements will not be chipped and will be left on site. The property owner will be responsible for legal disposal of any material that cannot be chipped.
Cut vegetation must be stacked by the first day of scheduled chipping for your area. Chippers will only make one pass along project areas. Material stacked after scheduled start date will not be chipped and will be the responsibility of the homeowner to remove.
Cut material should not be placed along the roadway until 2 weeks prior to chipping.
Cut vegetation must be laid in a pile along the street area and outside of the drivable roadway.
The cut end of all vegetation must face the street so contractors can easily handle vegetation.
When stacking material keep a 3′ to 5′ horizontal setback and vertical clearances from fences, power poles, brush, structures and other ignitable material.
Place materials in an obvious location away from vegetation so they do not blend in with remaining landscaping.
Branches and limbs should be no greater than 6 inches in diameter.
Piles must be stacked no more than 4 feet in height. Long piles are OK as long as they are not over 4 feet in height.
Brush should be left in long lengths (4-7 feet). Cut vegetation is much easier to chip when it is longer.
Cut vegetation should not be tied into bundles.
Old dead vegetation that has been lying around for years cannot be chipped (this type of vegetation damages chipper blades).
Piles or materials such as root balls that have rocks, dirt, or other debris cannot be chipped.
Piles pushed or moved by mechanical equipment, i.e. tractor will not be chipped.
Material in plastic bags will not be picked up or chipped.
Plants that cannot be chipped: pine needles, leaf litter, agave and succulents, palm fronds, exotic pests such as castor bean, arundo, thistle, pampas grass, Scotch/French/Spanish broom, bamboo, Cape/German ivy.If you have questions, please contact Capt. Fred Tan, Fire Prevention, Santa Barbara County Fire,805-896-6350 or fred.tan@sbcfire.com
Water Rates Subject to Change (April 2017)
For many years, Mission Canyon, along with other areas outside the city of Santa Barbara, that used city water, payed 130% of the price people inside the city payed.
This changed this past year, so that Out-of-City water users were charged equal to what In-City residents payed.
Out-of-City rates:
Tier 1 rates went from $5.46 for 4 HCF to $4.56
Tier 2 went from $11.06 for 9 HCF to $12.97
In-City rates:
Tier 1 rates went from $4.20 for 4 HCF to $4.56
Tier 2 went from $8.51 for 9 HCF to $12.97
An upcoming City Council meeting will be revisiting this, to determine future water rates for In-City and Out-of-City residents. A partial explanation can be found in the attached Council Agenda Report for the upcoming 25 April City Council meeting.
In particular, pay attention to the three possible “approaches” to dealing with Out-of-City customers (that’s us).
– Service Area Average
– Cost Increment for Out-of-City Customers
– Pumped Versus Non-Pumped
If you are interested in knowing how your water rate will be determined you might want to attend this meeting. For particulars see the linked City Council agenda for 25 April. Please note that this is item is #13 on the agenda, so likely to be late in the afternoon.
If you have cable, you can watch it on channel 18, or watch it online here: http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/cityadmin/watch/
Mission Canyon Association 2017 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, April 4
social half-hour: 6:30 p.m.
meeting: 7–8:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Fleischmann Auditorium
2559 Puesta del Sol Road
Emergency Preparedness — New 1st District Supervisor Das Williams
and Fire Chief Eric Peterson of County Fire bring us the latest on the 911
emergency response system.
PSHB Bug Invasion Report — A new pest, polyphagous shot hole borer,
is threatening coast live oak, avocado, California sycamore, liquidamber,
and other tree species.
Rain! — And the vegetation it nurtures — reminds us that Brush Chipping
Season is back. MCA’s Fire Committee updates everyone on the latest
dates and procedures for this year.
Come One, Come All! — All residents, canyon-wide, are invited to
attend the MCA Annual Meeting. Schmooze with your neighbors. Enjoy
some wine, cheese, coffee, and other goodies. Pay your dues or become
a new member. We will be voting for board directors, and only members
can vote.
Come with your neighbors! Carpooling is encouraged!
Mission Heritage Trail
See where planning currently stands for the Mission Heritage Trail, known as MISSION PARK TO MISSION CANYON MULTIMODAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN, at the County Planning Commission Web site
Storm Drain Construction in Upper Mission Canyon
Santa Barbara County Public Works Department
Flood Control ~ Water Agency ~ Project Clean Water
September 27, 2016
Dear Project Neighbor,
The Santa Barbara County Flood Control District will be constructing a storm drain in the vicinity of Tunnel Road and Orange Grove Ave. You are receiving this letter because you either own property in, or are a resident of, the project area.
On October 4 th a construction contract will be taken to the County Board of Directors with a recommendation for them to award the contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc.. If awarded, construction is anticipated to begin mid-October of this year and continue for a duration of approximately 3 months. Through traffic on Tunnel Road will be maintained for the duration of the project but lane closures with one way traffic operated by flagmen are anticipated; please expect delays of up to 10 minutes. You will be notified again, prior to construction, by the construction contractor with a more detailed description of the construction schedule and activities.
This project will improve the local drainage in this area of Mission Canyon. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding during construction. If you have any questions or concerns please feel frey to contact me at (805) 884-8074 or by email at mgriff@cosbpw.net.
Sincerely,
Matthew Griffin, PE
Civil Engineer Specialist
Naomi Schwartz Building
Scott D.
High Fire Season Preparedness and Response Levels
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. May 5, 2016 – On May 9, 2016 at 8:00 a.m., the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD), in conjunction with all other local fire jurisdictions, will declare the beginning of the 2016 High Fire Season period for all areas of Santa Barbara County.
Because of this declaration, all burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard reduction will be suspended. In addition, the SBCFD will be increasing the number of resources (e.g., engines, dozers, crews, helicopters, etc.) responding to reported vegetation fires during the High Fire Season.
The SBCFD would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone who lives, works, and plays in Santa Barbara County to be extra vigilant about fire safety this fire season. Remember to maintain vegetation clearance around structures, review and be familiar with your “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, and be extra cautious and aware when traveling or staying in the wildland areas of the county.
For more information about Ready! Set! Go! Please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Mission Canyon Vegetation Chipping / Hazard Reduction (Brush Day) Starts June 20, 2016
This year, MCA’s hazard reduction will be by county hand crew on Mission Canyon Road, Tunnel Road, and Las Canoas Road starting on June 20th. County Fire anticipates 5 to 7 days for completion. As last year, they will chip any vegetation brought to wide shoulders on the above-mentioned roads. If not on Mission Canyon, Tunnel or Las Canoas Roads, you may take vegetation to the wide area on Mission Canyon Road north of Station 15. Detailed chipping directions follow:
Chipping Instructions
Please Note: There are very specific requirements regarding what can be chipped and how vegetation should be stacked. The following chipping instructions outline specific requirements. Vegetation that does not meet these requirements will not be chipped and will be left on site. The property owner will be responsible for legal disposal of any material that cannot be chipped.
Cut vegetation must be stacked by the first day of scheduled chipping for your area. Chippers will only make one pass along project areas. Material stacked after scheduled start date will not be chipped and will be the responsibility of the homeowner to remove.
Cut material should not be placed along the roadway until 2 weeks prior to chipping.
Cut vegetation must be laid in a pile along the street area and outside of the drivable roadway.
The cut end of all vegetation must face the street so contractors can easily handle vegetation.
Branches and limbs should be no greater than 6 inches in diameter.
Piles must be stacked no more than 4 feet in height. Long piles are OK as long as they are not over 4 feet in height.
Brush should be left in long lengths (4-7 feet). Cut vegetation is much easier to chip when it is longer.
Cut vegetation should not be tied into bundles.
Old dead vegetation that has been lying around for years cannot be chipped (this type of vegetation damages chipper blades).
Piles or materials such as root balls that have rocks, dirt, or other debris cannot be chipped.
Piles pushed or moved by mechanical equipment, i.e. tractor will not be chipped.
Material in plastic bags will not be picked up or chipped.
Plants that cannot be chipped: pine needles, leaf litter, agave and succulents, palm fronds, exotic pests such as castor bean, arundo, thistle, pampas grass, Scotch/French/Spanish broom, bamboo, Cape/German ivy.If you have questions, please contact Capt. Rob Hazard, Fire Prevention, Santa Barbara County Fire,805-896-6350 or Rob.hazard@sbcfire.com.
2016 Annual Meeting was a great Success
Thank you to all the Mission Canyon Residents in attendance for a very successful annual meeting! We heard great presentations from Captain Rob Hazard of the Santa Barbara Fire Department and Steve Windhager of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens.
For those of you interested in the “Easy 8” (x2) drought tolerant plants mentioned by Steve during this year’s meeting, you can find them here: http://www.sbbg.org/learn-discover/gardening-with-natives/natives-in-your-garden/easy-natives
Mission Canyon Association 2016 Annual Meeting
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – 2559 Puesta del Sol – Fleischmann Auditorium
Thursday, April 28 – 6:30 p.m. social half-hour – 7 p.m. meeting start time
El Niño Nada . . .
You don’t want to miss this year’s Annual Meeting! In our answer to El Niño’s no show, Steve
Windhager and Madeline Ward join forces to help us all learn how to cope with the reality of less
and more expensive water. Steve, director of the Botanic Garden, and Madeline, the City of Santa
Barbara’s water conservation coordinator, will give tips on how to retrofit your garden without ripping it out entirely and starting over from scratch. Learn about the two new water conservation landscapes now at the Garden that include not only droughttolerant landscapes but 45,000 gallons of rainwater collection tanks as well. Not only will you leave with money-saving ideas, each person attending the annual meeting will receive a free pass to the Botanic Garden so that you can see it all for yourself. You cannot afford NOT to come. Bring a neighbor. And carpool!
Brush Day Will Be Different (and Later) This Year!
Brush Day continues to evolve, and this year it will be part of the County Fire Department’s scheduled road clearance work. When roadside vegetation trimming and clearing is scheduled for your road, homeowners can then bring their brush to the street for chipping and hauling away. That’s the good news.
The unfortunate news is that the county brush crew has been working on the Refugio oil spill, and their schedule remains tentative. If you have brush you need cleared now, you may take it on your own to the county dump. MarBorg also has a green tag program that will take away a limited amount of brush.
If you can wait — and the schedule now looks like maybe late June or July/August — the anticipated work schedule follows. Please keep in mind that it could change depending on where else the crew is needed. They expect to start the second week of July in the following order.
• Mission Canyon Road (plus community chipping)
• Tunnel Road clearance (plus community chipping)
• Las Canoas Road clearance (plus community chipping)
• Tunnel Trail clearance
• Olive Grove Fuelbreak
• Holly Road Fuelbreak (plus community chipping)
• Tunnel Trailhead Fuelbreak
• Mission Canyon Fuelbreak
• Spyglass Fuelbreak (plus community chipping)
• Edison Road clearance
Brush Days 2014 – ALL NEW 3-Day Concept!
Thursday thru Saturday, JUNE 12, 13, 14, 8 AM to 4 PM
MarBorg Facility Downtown, 119 North Quarantina Street
This year we will try an entirely new concept for Brush Day that we hope will be easier for our residents, for our benefactors, and for our volunteers. Instead of the usual single Saturday Brush Day, we are setting aside three days: June 12, 13, 14 — between 8 am and 4 pm.
DURING THESE HOURS FOR THESE THREE DAYS, ANY DUES-PAYING MEMBER OF MISSION CANYON ASSOCIATION MAY TAKE GREEN WASTE DIRECTLY TO THE MARBORG FACILITY AT 119 NORTH QUARANTINA.
You must provide your name and address and be on the list of dues-paying members in order to deposit your brush at no charge. If you have gardeners hauling your brush, they must have the correct information.
For more information check out the flyer.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Sewer and Water Infrastructure Improvement Project
The construction of these improvements is now scheduled to start in the last week of January 2014 and SBBG is forecasting completion by the end of April 2014 subject to weather impacts.
They have retained the firm of Flowers & Associates, Inc. to administer the construction contract and ask that you contact them directly with any comments or questions as they will have direct contact with the Contractor. Ric Craig, of Flowers & Associates, Inc. (F&A) should be your contact on construction related activities and he can be reached at (805) 320-9154 (cell). rcraig@flowersassoc.com.
For questions relating to compliance with County Project Conditions you can contact Brian Banks at the County at (805) 568-3559 bbanks@co.santa-barbara.ca.us.
For questions regarding environmental monitoring you can contact the County’s consultant for those services, Shruti Ramaker with Cardno Entrix at (805) 979-9561 shruti.ramaker@cardno.com. For questions regarding County Road Encroachment Permit compliance you can contact the County at (805) 681-4990.
(posted Jan. 2014)
County resurfacing Mission Canyon Road
Residents are advised that the County is resurfacing Mission Canyon Road below Foothill and Cheltenham in the coming weeks. The markings on those roads are ground out to make the surface treatment stick to the road better. The paint will be put back once the new surface is done. Attached is a diagram showing roads in the Mission Canyon area that will be resurfaced this month. There will likely be delays and detours while the work is being done.
Map of roadwork
Mission Park to Mission Canyon multimodal improvements project
Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Barbara invite you to attend a public workshop for the Mission Park to Mission Canyon multimodal improvements project funded by a Caltrans Community Based Transportation Planning Grant. We are seeking your thoughts about developing a safer travel corridor from Mission Santa Barbara (East Los Olivos Street, in the City) to Mission Canyon (Mission Canyon Road up to Foothill Road, in the County).
The workshop will be held on October 29, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, 670 Mission Canyon Road. Staff will be available to answer any questions about the project. If you are interested in visiting the area prior to the workshop, a self guided walking tour booklet is available on the following website: http://longrange.sbcountyplanning.org/planareas/mission_canyon/mc_multimodal.php
See the website for more information or contact Rosie Dyste at rdyste@countyofsb.org or (805) 568-3532.
Report on Jesusita and New Attitude After Yarnell Tragedy
A Jesusita Fire story recently appeared online that caught the attention of the Mission Canyon Association’s Fire Committee. It discussed the firefighter injuries from Jesusita, and also the fire chiefs’ reaction to the deaths of the 19 Hot Shots in Yarnell, Arizona, in June. In this article, reporter Ray Ford writes about how the unpredictability of wildfires and the Yarnell deaths have made fire chiefs increasingly reluctant to send the men and women under their commands into wildfires to save property. And rightly so, we believe – a house is not worth a firefighter’s life. The article is linked below (with the permission of The Santa Barbara Independent): http://www.independent.com/news/2013/aug/30/safety-firefighters/
(posted Sept. 2013)
Annual Brush Day:
We will be having our annual brush clearing day on Saturday, June 8, at the SB Woman’s Club on Mission Canyon Rd. As always, members who have paid their annual dues(only $35) are welcome to bring all the brush they want to the pick-up locations. We just ask that you leave out yucca, palm fronds, succulents, and ice plant. (posted 4/13/13)
Annual Meeting 4/11/13:
We had an excellent turn-out last evening and engaging speakers with important information. Thank everyone for making it such a success!
Fire and Chaparral: A Delicate Balance
Join us in welcoming the local Channel Islands chapter of the California Native Plant Society (http://www.cnpsci.org/ Calendar/Events.htm) to the Garden as we host the Santa Barbara area meetings. Please bring plants to ID, or extra natives from your yard to exchange.
November Speaker: Robert Muller, Research Associate, SBBG and former Director of Research. Dr. Muller presents an interesting look at the history and significance of wildfire as it relates to our native chaparral and will discuss ecological aspects of our policies towards fuel management.
Thursday, November 15, 2012 6:30pm – 8:30pm In the Blaksley Library Free to members and non-members (posted 11/10/12)
Concerned Citizens for Safe Passage,
a Working Group comprised of and representing Key Stakeholders has been formed to take on the challenge to identify the problems and constraints, and to support improvements that will provide safe passage in the “bottleneck” of roadways and intersections on the south and north sides of the historic Mission Creek Bridge. For more information on this ongoing project, click here. (posted 9/2012)
Fire Safe Council Grant of $67,000
The Mission Canyon Association has received a California Fire Safe Council Grant of $67,000 to be used for vegetation management and we need your help! For more information, click here.
Our little four-footed friends return to the canyon
Ian Newsom and Lorraine Argo, owners of Brush Goats 4 Hire, are looking forward to working with Mission Canyon residents again. Most of us credit the work of the goats during the last grant for saving many homes that would have otherwise burned. The goats’ work begins at the trailhead where they will spend approximately one month.
The goats will be penned with a clearly marked netting-style pen that is electrified with solar panels and guarded from predators by specially trained dogs who protect them from coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs. These dogs are predator control dogs, not pets. They are raised with the goats, live with the goats, and their job is to protect the goats from any and all predators, including you and your dog. The following video shows what you can expect.
It is imperative that no one feed these dogs or the goats. They are on a special diet and should never have any sort of other food no matter how small a tidbit nor how tempting. For more information, please see our Summer newsletter. (posted 9/2012)
Pet Alert!
To people in the canyon. Two families on Orange Grove have lost their cats this summer and one lost an older dog recently. A report of a coyote or a bobcat attacking another pet also came in, so the wild animals are probably prowling around looking for easy targets. Be wary. (posted 8/2012)
Our grant money has arrived!
Thus, the tree removal will begin on September 4. Action Tree won the contract. We will begin with the dead eukes on Las Canoas. Next project is near the trailhead. From there we will work down to clean the trees that front lower Tunnel Rd. (posted 8/2012)
Water Main Replacement on Las Canoas to Close Road Sections
Residents of Las Canoas Road will find 300- to 500-foot sections closed intermittently from now through January 2013. The work begins near the Sheffield Reservoir end of Las Canoas around August 20 and runs Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m., with the noisy demolition work to hold off until at least 8 a.m. Delays of 15-20 minutes are expected. The 2.4-mile water main replacement project stops just short of Mission Canyon Road. For more information about this story click here.
Annual Brush Clean Up Day
We had another great Mission Canyon Annual Brush Clean Up Day. Thanks to all that participated. together we can reduce the risk of wild fire in our neighborhood. Here are some statistics from this year and years past:Year2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012Loads1214181517131224 109Tons2531.139.437.037.528.033.043.028.233332818.3
Brush Clean Up Date
MCA Annual Brush Clean Up Day – Saturday June 9th – 9am to 2:30pm.
2107 Santa Barbara St. – Church of Jesus Christ od Latter-Day Saints (enter parking lot on Los Olivos between Santa Barbara St. and Anacapa St.
Please bring your Annual Dues ($35) if you haven’t paid ofr 2012 already.
No yucca, palm, or Ivy. (posted 5/27/12)
Slope repair work on Tunnel Rd
Regarding the slope repair work schedule on Tunnel Rd. The Contractor will pot hole utilities some time next week and may start drilling the following week depending on their schedule. A message board will be placed 7 days prior to construction to post a start date. (posted May 2012)
Gas line work
Work on the gas line will happen along lower Cheltenham, Tye, Glen Albyn, and Foothill roads through about May 21. See a copy of The Gas Company notification letter which outlines the three stages of work. (posted March 2012)
Exeter Place water main repair
The Exeter Place repair is now estimated to be between March 19 and 30. City Public Works will be replacing a water main and installing a fire hydrant on Exeter Place, which will cause the stretch between Cheltenham Road to close during working hours.Also, to all who use Exeter as a shortcut when it’s open, the folks on Exeter tell us that exiting their driveways and walking on that road is dangerous because of speeders. Please drive carefully along Exeter. (posted February 2012)
The Cheltenham/Tye/Foothill and Exeter repairs will hamper the use of a significant evacuation exit. If you regularly use lower Cheltenham, Tye, or Glen Albyn Roads, please be aware of road closures, construction, trucks, workers, and delays. Be prepared to use alternate routes should an emergency evacuation become necessary.
Tunnel Road washout repair
Repair of the washout 0.7 miles up Tunnel Road is now expected to begin in late April – early May; the retaining wall and culvert repairs will take about four weeks to complete. (As in all construction projects, the date may keep changing.) A lane will likely close during working hours (M-F, 8am-5pm), and flaggers will be on duty. (posted March 2012)
Stolen Avocados
All the avocados have been stolen from an orchard on Palomino Road. If this has happened to you as well, let us know.(March 2012)
Thieves hit a second unlocked car parked in a driveway, this one on Todos Santos Lane around 4 a.m. on February 6. They stole cash, tools, and house keys. About a week previous, a nearby vehicle on Mission Canyon Road was burglarized, though nothing was taken. Residents, be aware. (February 2012)
Notice to pile burners
Although February is the start of pile burn season, Station 15’s firefighters remind all that it’s largely a matter of common sense of when to burn and how much. Two pile burns that have gotten out of control in the past year — one involving a pile burner with 30 years of experience, another involving a former firefighter — have prompted changes to burn permits, which now require site inspections. All pile burners, no matter how experienced, are reminded that they must call Station 15 as well as the burn line before starting any fire.This winter has been extraordinarily dry, possibly the driest since 1923. Pile burns, one of the most economical ways to get rid of pre-cut brush on multi-acre properties, must occur in completely cleared areas; even so, residents report that short grasses are easily catching fire because everything is so dry.Not only does a competent adult need to tend the fire at all times, there must be enough water readily at hand to douse the flames and embers at any point — you need more than one hose and water spigot! The amount of fuel on the fire must be manageable — don’t put too much on! Smoke may not intrude on neighbors — don’t choke out the people next door!If you see a fire and are unsure whether it is a pile burn or not, Station 15 says to call them (681-5515) or 911 and that it is most helpful if you can tell them clearly where it is. They will always roll out to see what’s up.Remember: If it’s hot, dry, or windy in your particular microclimate, it’s not a good day to pile burn. (February 2012)
Mission Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Our thanks to all who participated in the Mission Canyon Community Wildfire Protection Plan (MCCWP). The final version can be downloaded here.
Click Here to learn about the Mission Canyon Planning Advisory Committee (MCPAC) and this process. Read the Design guideline proposals on this link. For more information you can reach us by email at mcpac@missioncanyon.org, or by contacting any of the board members listed on the ‘Contact Us‘ page.
Brush Clearing Day 2011
Brush Clearing Day 2011 was Saturday June 11th at the Rockwood Women’s Club parking lot from 9am – 2:30pm.
Mission Canyon got its first inkling that change might be more than just talk at the Botanic Garden (Apr.2011)
The Botanic Garden will have a new president, Steve Windhager (Oct.2010)
A MCA Town Hall Meeting was held June 4 at Fleishman Hall Natural History Museum. Click here to review Fire Recovery Resource slides (Jun.2009)
Video of Landscape recovery and erosion control Meeting held June 17 (Jun.2009)
Map of fire area with homes effected and photos. (May.2009)
Mountain Drive Association web site. They offer to share what they have learned about finding temporary housing and much more from the recent Tea Fire (Nov.2008)
Botanic Garden Reactivates Expansion Program (Oct.2007)
Historic Landmark Advisory Commision considers Meadow Terrace project (Oct.2007)
Brush Clearance Day Removes 43 Tons of Flammables (Oct.2006)
Evacuation Day a Piece of Cake (Oct.2006)
Design Review Process – Orange Grove Lane (Oct.2006)
Palomino Road Owner Miffed by BAR Rejection (Oct.2006)
Roadside Cleanup Scrubs the Canyon (Oct.2006)
Santa Barbara County Working with Mission Canyon
Association (Sept.2006)
Community Plan Survey and Survey Results (Apr.2006)
Traffic Calmers (Older)