Take Your Spring Cleaning Outside
By Christina Atchison   |   March 25, 2025

The recent rain is a welcome reprieve from the dry conditions that aided in propelling the devasting Palisades Fire near Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in the foothills of Altadena.  But this is no time to rest on our laurels.  “A few inches of late season rain are not enough to significantly move the […]

San Ysidro Ranch Delivers Its Thanks
By Montecito Journal   |   December 10, 2024

This past Thanksgiving, SYR’s talented culinary team donated a turkey dinner to Montecito Fire to show its appreciation for their ongoing and incredible support of the community. “In the spirit of giving thanks, we wanted to show our gratitude to the local heroes of Montecito Fire by preparing a full Thanksgiving spread. Our talented chefs […]

 

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MFPD Board At-Large: Q&A with the Candidates
By Montecito Journal   |   October 22, 2024

As the concern for wildfire is a major topic in the area and considering the role that the Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) plays in our community, the Montecito Journal wanted to reach out to each of the five candidates running for the three open seats in the November 5th general election. The MFPD is […]

CAL FIRE Invests $90 Million in Wildfire Prevention Projects
By Montecito Journal   |   September 10, 2024

This just in – CAL FIRE is investing more than $90 million in 94 local wildfire prevention projects across California as part of the state’s wildfire preparedness strategy. Projects focus on protecting people, structures, and communities through hazardous fuels reduction, planning and education. Over the last five years, CAL FIRE has awarded more than $450 […]

Montecito Fire Department launches new Website
By Christina Atchison   |   August 20, 2024

Montecito Fire Department is pleased to present our new website, montecitofire.com. We have revamped our website to better serve our community. This includes a new Wildfire Preparedness StoryMap, a dynamic webpage with informational videos, interactive maps and helpful resources.  We developed this StoryMap as an alternative to our Wildfire Preparedness Community meetings. We heard your […]

Mighty Fire Breaker Non-Toxic Fire-Retardant System
By Joanne A Calitri   |   August 6, 2024

The MJ was asked to the installation and testing of the Mighty Fire Breaker MFB-31 Citrotech®system. The test took place at a Bella Vista Drive estate in Montecito on Wednesday, July 24. This is the first location in our town to install the fire-retardant system. When I arrived, Steve Conboy, Founder, President and Chief Technologist […]

Annual Firewood Chipping and Vegetation Removal for Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 21, 2024

The Montecito Fire Protection District has five final chipping dates now through July: May 28: Arcady, Knapp, Cowles, Cottage, El Rancho, Sky View, Lanai Rd June 10: Sierra Vista, Nicholas, Ridge View, Canyon View, Sycamore Vista, Ranchito Vista, Calle Elegante, Calle Hermosa, Crest View June 24: East Mountain (100-1600 blocks), Irvine, Brooktree, Upper Hot Springs […]

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  • Community Pulls into the Station
    By Christina Atchison   |   May 14, 2024

    On Monday, May 6, Montecito Fire Department placed the new Engine 92 into service with the support of more than a hundred community members, including children from Cold Spring School and Montecito Union School. Kids hosed down the engine and dried it off before we ceremoniously pushed it into the apparatus bay at Station 92. […]

    Support Dispatched for Additional Fire Station
    By Richard Mineards   |   August 29, 2023

    It’s all systems go for an additional fire station on 3806 Via Real, located between Summerland and Carpinteria! The goal is to open a state-of-the-art firehouse on this site. A new nonprofit, Santa Barbara South Coast Fire Fighter Foundation, has been formed and held its kickoff event at Bella Vista, the sprawling Summerland oceanside home […]

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    Fire Ban Remains in Effect
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 22, 2023

    With hot temperatures continuing over the next week, Los Padres National Forest officials reminded visitors last week that an open fire ban remains in effect for the Santa Barbara front country while trail closures have been extended for the Old Romero Road (26W25), Romero Canyon Trail (26W14), and San Ysidro Trail (26W15 Singletrack) through August […]

    Montecito Fire Chief David Neels is Taking the Fight to the Fire
    By Jeff Wing   |   August 15, 2023

    Montecito Fire Department’s (MFD) Station 91 is an understated, red-tiled building in the foothills above Montecito – at a glance more “stately hacienda” than Command Center; though the hacienda’s 30’ aerial somewhat gives the game away. Fire Chief David Neels likewise cuts an approachable figure. Soft-spoken and earnest but given to sudden grins, he is […]

    Don’t Let the Wet Winter Fool You… The Threat of Wildfire is Always There
    By Christina Atchison   |   July 11, 2023

    After a record-setting rain season and months of mild weather, the threat of wildfire may seem like less of a concern for the Santa Barbara County South Coast this year. As we celebrated the red, white, and blue over the past week, temperatures rose significantly for the first time in 2023. No matter how much […]

    Montecito Fire Chief to Retire
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 21, 2023

    Earlier this week, Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor announced his upcoming retirement from the Montecito Fire Department after 35 years of service. Chief Taylor has served as fire chief since 2019; his last day at the helm will be March 31. “This career has been the honor of my life,” Chief Taylor told us during […]

    A Message from the Montecito Fire Chief Reflecting on 2022
    By Kevin Taylor   |   February 21, 2023

    On behalf of the Montecito Fire Protection District, it is a pleasure to share our 2022 Annual Report with our community. Over the past year, our organization experienced meaningful growth, identified opportunities for improvement, and realized significant accomplishments.  A noteworthy change in 2022 was the full return to engaging with our community in-person after the […]

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