What is a "Fire Ladder"?

It is good question since it pertains directly to the City of Santa Barbara's Defensible Space requirements. The Santa Barbara Municipal Code 8.04 specifically states that vegetation must 'not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure'. This is done by removing "fire ladders". (a term used often when referring to defensible space)

Removal of a "fire ladder" is done by separating vegetation both horizontally and vertically. When this happens, it slows the spread and the intensity (heat) of the fire, giving firefighters an increased ability to safely protect your home. Removing fire ladders requires that ground cover vegetation be separated from tree canopies and that there is clearance between shrubs, bushes and trees.

Often times while performing road clearance we come across fire ladders. These are usually the result of unmaintained hedges. Hedges that are maintained with all trees properly limbed several feet above the top of the hedge are all right. However, when the hedge extends into the tree canopy, providing an easy means for a ground fire to quickly climb its' way into the upper portions of the tree canopy, it is not. We do our best to work with homeowners in this case to come up with a win-win solution to providing for both fire safety and privacy.

Above is an example of a major fire ladder in the Eucalyptus Hill area. As you can see the vegetation has not been maintained and there is an easy "route" for the fire to use a mixture of hedge, exotic, native, and flammable material to climb. We worked with the homeowner to come up with a solution. Since most of the "hedges" have become more like trees we could have raised all the bottoms (skirted) of the trees up about 6ft or, like we did, remove the fire ladder by cutting back those portions of the trees that extended into the upper canopies. Now that the vegetation has been cut back, we expect homeowners to maintain the work that has been done so that it does not become a fire hazard again. This helps insure the fire safety of that homeowner, the neighborhood and the community.

Reducing Road Side Flammability One Plant at a Time

As we near the end of our annual Vegetation Road Clearance program we feel that we have succeeded in enhancing evacuation routes and reducing flammable vegetation throughout the Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District. We have worked hard to ensure that our 13'6" vertical clearances were met, as well as  removing dead vegetation from the roadside.  We will be working, over the next two weeks, to finish the last half-dozen roads scheduled for clearance.

In a previous posts we highlighted the hazards of plants that contain a large amount of dead and dry material, as well as those plants that tend to be more flammable. As our project  moves deeper into the more residential areas of the City we have noticed a tremendous amount of existing cypress and juniper trees. While we make every effort to leave as much healthy vegetation as possible, we do aim to remove these species from your roadside. We work with homeowners to educate them on the hazards as well as the benefits of replacing this plant type with a more fire-resistant variety.





Here is an example of a removal we did a few weeks back.

TO PLANT, OR NOT TO PLANT???

We are often approached by homeowners with the question of acceptable landscape plants in the high fire hazard area. While our webiste has a comprehensive list of recommended plants (avalible here), there are also a number of specific plants that are NOT recommeded. Below is an excerpt from the City Fire Departments High Fire Hazard Area Landscape Requirements (Ordinance #5439).  The full print out can be found through the City's website or by clicking this link.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Certain plants are considered to be undesirable in the landscape due to characteristics that make them highly flammable. These characteristics can be either physical or chemical. Physical properties would include large amounts of dead material retained within the plant, rough or peeling bark, and the production of profuse amounts of litter. Chemical properties include the presence of volatile substances such as oils, resins, wax, and pitch. Certain native plants are notorious as species containing these volatile substances.

Plants with these characteristics should not be planted in High Fire Hazard areas. They are referred to as target species since their partial or complete removal is a critical part of hazard reduction. The following is a list of plants that are not allowed to be planted within the landscape zones defined below:

Unacceptable Plant Species:
Acacia species
Adenostoma fasciculatum – Chamise
Adenostoma sparsifolium – Red Shank
Artemesia californica – California Sagebrush
Baccharis species (low growing form OK)
Casuarina species - Beefwood
Cortadera species – Pampas Grass
Cupressus species – Cypress
Eriogonum faciculatum – Common Buckwheat
Eucalyptus species – Eucalyptus
Juniperous species – Juniper (except species which grow less than 1ft)
Olneya tesota - Iron wood
Pennisetum - Fountain Grass
Pinus species – Pine

Other plants may be considered undesirable because of their ability to naturalize and become a pest. These types of plants should be avoided, especially in sensitive riparian or coastal areas where they could become established and compete with native vegetation.

Planning For Fire Season

It is hard to plan for fire season with the chilly, wet weather we have been having. However, before we know it our warm, hot, windy weather will be back and it always pays to be prepared. As an added service to those homeowners who are within the Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District we have a defensible space chipping program to help you do just that.

Each year, in the spring, we rotate though the district with our crews to chip any brush that homeowners may have cut in order to meet the City's defensible space requirements. As an added planning and preparation tool, we have set the schedule for the upcoming 2011 chipping program. We often get questions about the timing of our crews. So folks, here it is...lets get ready!!!

Lower Riviera                               March 7th
Sycamore Canyon/Las Alturas      March 14
Eucalyptus Hill                              March 21
Las Tunas                                    March 28
San Roque/Ontare                       April 11
Las Canoas                                 April 25
Sheffield/Parma                           May 9
Westmont/Circle                         May 23
Coyote Road                              May 31
West Mountain                           June 13

Half Way There

This week marks the half way point in our annual Vegetation Road Clearance program. We have successfully cleared 9.4 miles of road throughout the Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District over the past 5 weeks.

Take a look at some of our work as you drive down Santa Teresita, Mountain Drive, El Cielito, Rockwood, West Mountain, Las Canoas, Northridge and Santa Teresita to name a few. Again, we appreciate all of the homeowner feedback, participation and ongoing cooperation with the project. You are helping us provide a more fire safe neighborhood for your families.


Crews checking for 13'6" vertical clearance along W Mountain Drive last week.



Removing The Hazard

While our road clearance crews have been busy battling the extreme temperatures this week, they are still hard at work making our neighborhoods more fire safe.

This week we would like to highlight one of the target hazards we aim to remove through our road clearance program. Working in conjunction with the City Arborist's certain trees are marked for removal for multiple reasons. While it is our goal to maintain existing trees, and avoid complete removal, sometimes that is our only option.

The pictures showcase one of the scenarios where we did remove the entire tree. In the center median of Marilyn Way there were three very large, dying and diseased Italian Cypress trees. As you can see from the pictures, not only are they a more flammable tree to begin with, but these three were diseased and dying. Our road clearance crews tackled the problem and quickly removed the hazard.

 

If you know of a location near a public roadway that you feel is a fire hazard to you and your neighbors please contact us. We would be more than happy to come out and take a look. We can be reached at 965-5254

Why are you cutting that???

Often times when our crews are out performing Vegetation Road Clearance, homeowners come out and ask, "Why are you cutting that? It's not dead. It doesn't burn."

The picture below is a great example of a fire-resistant plant that can cause a hazard when it is not property maintained.

While, yes, oleander is a fire-resistant plant that is often recommended in a high fire hazard area and is a plant that provides a lot of screening and privacy, if unmaintained it can cause a hazard. As you can see by the above picture, the unmaintained oleander "hedge" was extending beyond the curb, part of a larger mass of vegetation 15+feet deep, had years of fall out, pine needles (from the neighboring pine), and dead material. If an ember were to land in this hedge made up of oleander, juniper, and ivy it would have an easier ability to spread fire towards the structure and make it more difficult for firefighters to do their job.

When perform clearance we take a number of issues into consideration:
Is it dead?
Is it a flammable plant material?
Does it hinder the flow of traffic in the drivable roadway?
Does it cause a "fire ladder"?
Is it maintained?
Does it block hydrant access?
Does it block the ability for engine crews to open compartment doors to access firefighting tools?
If we can answer yes to any of the above questions we look at how we can reasonably trim or remove certain plants to make the area more fire safe while doing our best to maintain homeowner privacy.

Please feel free to stop us anytime and ask us "Why are you cutting that?" We are more than happy to explain why we do what we do.

Road Clearance Project is Underway

So far, so good. We are off to a great start this year and everything is running smoothly. We are still on Northridge Lane and expect to start work on Santa Teresita Drive tomorrow.

Annual Road Clearance Project Starts Monday

With a little delay and much better timing, our annual Vegetation Road Clearance project is scheduled to start Monday, September 13.

Conejo Rd - BEFORE

The roads we will be focusing on next week are:
Northridge Road
Santa Teresita
Marilyn Way

The following week (9/20):
Las Canoas Road
Rockwood Drive
El Cielito Road

Please be courteous and patient with our crews as they work. At times traffic may be slowed to 1 lane. Delays are not expected to be over 5 minutes.

Every effort is made to communicate with homeowners with regards to work that will occur on properties so that they are more prepared, informed and education about wildfire and the need for road clearance throughout the City's high fire hazard areas.

Conejo Rd - AFTER

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact us by phone (805) 965-5254 or email aanderson@santabarbaraca.gov

Here They Are

The roads that will be cleared through our annual vegetation road clearance program have been finalized. We are out to bid for contractors this week and anticipate starting before the end of the month.

The Purpose of Vegetation Road Clearance is to:
1. Reduce the amount of vegetation along roadways
2. Enhance evacuation during a wildland fire
3. Allow greater access for fire engines and equipment to respond during a wildfire

It is very important to maintain and keep up the work that has been completed. Maintaining our roadways is not only important for your safety but the safety of the community. Santa Barbara City Municipal Code requires homeowners to make sure that vegetation on their property does not encroach onto adjacent roadways. This effort includes keeping evacuation routes clear of flammable vegetation and thinning vegetation along the roadways.

Below is a list of roads that will have clearance work performed.

Alston Rd  (Cima Linda Ln to Rametto Rd and Summit to City Limits)
Barker Pass Rd  (Eucalyptus Hill to City Limits)
Bonita Way
Cedar Ln
Cima Linda Lane
Circle Drive
Coyote Rd  (Sycamore Canyon to City Limit)
Dover Rd
Drexel Drive
E Padre St  (Emerson to Laguna)
E Pedregosa St  (Laguna/Olive to APS)
El Cielito Rd  (Stanwood to Mountain Drive)
Emerson Ave  (E Padre to Pedregosa)
Eucalyptus Hill Rd  (Eucalyptus Court to Clifton and Cedar to Alston)
Foothill Road  (Mountain to City Limits)
Grand Ave  (Plaza Bonita to Pedregosa)
Grand Ave  (Valerio to California)
Hillcrest Rd  (Mountain to Franceschi Rd)
Las Canoas Rd  (Gibraltar to El Cielito)
Las Tunas Rd
Lasuen Rd  (APS to Alvarado)
Loma St  (Pedregosa to Moreno)
Maple St
Marilyn Way
Mission Ridge Road  (Las Alturas to Mountain)
Montgomery St  (Emerson to Laguna)
Mountain Drive  (City Limits to El Cielito and Mission Ridge to Los Olivos)
Northridge Rd
Orizaba Ln
Overlook Ln (South of APS only)
Rametto Rd  (Alston to Summit)
Roble Ln
Rockwood Dr
Santa Teresita Dr
Sierra St
Stanwood Drive
Summit Rd  (Alston to Rametto)
Sycamore Canyon  (5 Points to Westmont Rd)
Westmont Rd  (Sycamore Canyon to top of Circle Drive)

Not So Slow....

In fact, it has been just the opposite. While you haven't seen many project posts and pictures lately, please don't worry, we haven't gone on summer break. We have just wrapped up all of our projects slated for FY2010 and are busy working on the upcoming year. We have had our hands full with is all the work that goes on behind the scenes before each project breaks ground.

• As of this moment, we are out to bid on next years Vegetation Road Clearance project which is slated to start mid-August. All roads have been identified and work has been outlined for this project. Once a contractor is selected, it may only be a week or so and you will see us out and back into action. Stay tuned for a list of roads that will be completed this upcoming fall.
• We are also awaiting the end of bird nesting season so we can finish up the last couple of acres at our North Ontare Vegetation Management project. Pictures to follow soon...
• We are meeting with the 2 dozen homeowners who are a part of our next vegetation management project area. In these meetings we are outlining the work that will be done and the expectations that will be met before we go to work creating a more fire safe neighborhood.

So...while it appears as though we may be missing in action, don't worry. We are still here and busier than ever making sure you receive the best service possible. If you have any questions, would like to meet to discuss defensible space or need a load of chips, please don't hesitate to contact us @ 564-5737

2010 Fire Season Kick-Off BBQ and Media Day

That's A Wrap!!

Thank you to all who have participated in this year’s very successful chipping program. Through this program we were able to help homeowners create and maintain their defensible space.


NEW RECORD = OVER 420 TONS OF CHIPPED MATERIAL REMOVED!!!!
(Over 150 more tons than last year)


Please watch to your mailboxes in January 2011 for our Annual WFSBAD Newsletter. That is where you will find next years chipping schedule. We will also post a copy of the schedule on this blog site. We will not able offering any more chipping services until next year.

 

West Mountain Chipping Starts Monday, June 14th

The last weeks of chipping are quickly closing in. Starting Monday, June 14th we will be finishing the last of the 10 chip areas.

Our chippers will be out along WEST MOUNTAIN next week.

All homeowners in that area need to have their brush out my Monday, June 14. We will take as much brush as you can give us but we won't make second passes.

COYOTE ROAD CHIPPING STARTS TODAY

Our crews will be very busy chipping this week along COYOTE ROAD. Homeowners have done a tremendous job cleaning up their properties and insuring their defensible space.

We would like to take this time to remind everyone that the City's Defensible Space Requirement deadline is quickly approaching. All homeowners must have their property cleared in accordance with our current requirements by June 15th.

Not sure what you need to do? Give us a call and we will happily meet with you. We can be reached at 564-5700

Westmont/Circle Chipping Starts Monday May 17

Homeowners in the WESTMONT/CIRCLE CHIP AREA have already been busy clearing flammable vegetation and creating defensible space. If you haven't began, you have until MONDAY, MAY 17 to take part in our annual chipping program.

Whew...Busy Week!!

Thank you to all the homeowners in the LAS CANOAS chip area. We were able to fill all 9 days with chipping. Great job and congratulate yourselves with all of the hard work you have put in towards making our neighborhood more fire safe!!!

Chipping in the SHEFFIELD/PARMA area starts on MONDAY, MAY 3.

Las Canoas Chipping to Start

Chipping in the LAS CANOAS area will begin this week.

Please be advised that our chippers don't make second passes. After they have been through an area they won't return.

SAN ROQUE/ONTARE CHIPPING STARTED

Again, thank you all for the huge participation in this years chipping project.


We have seen record amounts of brush put out by all homeowners. It is because of this that we may be delayed in finishing the SAN ROQUE/ONTARE chip area. If your brush is not picked up by the end of the week, don't fret. We will most likely still be out next Monday and Tuesday. If the chippers have already been by your area they will not make second passes. However, if some time passes and you honestly think we may have missed your pile, please give us a call at 564-5737.

For homeowners in next weeks LAS CANOAS chip area, we may be delayed a day or two. Thanks for all of your patience.

Huge Participation in Las Tunas chip area

Thank you to all of the homeowners who are taking advantage of the chipping services provided through the WFSBAD. We have seen tremendous participation so far this year.

Keep up the good work!

LAS TUNAS Chipping Starts Monday

For all of you folks who are in the Las Tunas chip area, our crews are gearing up and getting ready to chip all of the brush that you have been busy setting out.

They will start in the area on Monday and will make 1 pass through the area.

If they haven't made it to your pile, feel free to set more brush out until they get there...once it's gone they won't be back!

Eucalyptus Hill Chipping is Still Going

For those of you who put your brush out as instructed on Monday, March 15, do not fear. We have not forgotten you. We had tremendous participation in this years chipping program and are excited that so many homeowners are taking advantage of this valuable service. It is, however, taking us extra time to make it to all the piles. Today is Wednesday and we are still truckin' along. I expect to be finished in a couple of days.

Thanks for your patients and participation.

If any of the piles are blocking the drivable roadway and/or property access please phone us and let us know. Thanks.

We can be reached at 564-5700

SYCAMORE CANYON/LAS ALTURAS CHIPPING STARTS TODAY

If you would like to take advantage of the chipping services offered through the WFSBAD please have all your bush out on the scheduled chipping day. SECOND PASSES WILL NOT BE MADE.

Eucalyptus Hill Chipping is Monday, March 15

8 Acres Finished

Our crews have been very busy this winter completing the 1st of 2 fuels management projects. The project is being ran in conjunction with the City, WFSBAD and private property owners. The goal of the project is to reduce the overall fuel/vegetation load in key areas throughout the City that were identified in the 2004 Wildland Fire Plan. These projects will effectively change the fire behavior making it easier for firefighters to fight the fire the next time the residents of the City are threatened.

This first project is a cooperative effort between 5 homeowners who are located in the Extreme Foothill area of the high fire hazard area. We have completed 8 of the 18 acres, to date.

LOWER RIVIERA CHIPPING STARTS TODAY

Crews will be out covering the Lower Riviera today chipping brush that homeowners have set out to help them acheive defensible space.

If you see our crews working please be mindful and slow down as you pass. Safety first!

CHIPPING STARTS NEXT WEEK

Our annual chipping program kicks off next week with the LOWER RIVIERA chip area.

For homeowners in that area, please have all of our brush/vegetation out no later than Monday, March 1. Second passes through the area will not be made. Please remember to check our homepage for specific instructions required to utilize our chipping program. CLICK HERE to check those instructions.

2010 CHIPPING SCHEDULE:
Lower Riviera
March 1

Sycamore Canyon/Las Alturas
March 8

Eucalyptus Hill
March 15

Las Tunas
March 29

San Roque/Ontare
April 12

Las Canoas
April 19

Sheffield/Parma
May 3

Westmont/Circle Dr
May 17

Coyote Road
May 31

West Mountain
June 14

Vegetation Managment Kicks off The Year

The Wildland Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment District has been busy working with homeowners in an effort to increase fire safety throughout the district. We kicked off this year’s vegetation management program through the project area identified in the Wildland Fire Plan as being part of the Community Fuels Treatment Network. This first project is located in a large narrow strip located at the upper limits of the City Limits and located within the Extreme Foothill High Fire Hazard area.

We will be working with private property owners, CAL FIRE/Ventura hand crews and Peterson's Tree Care for chipping services over the next 2 months while we complete the project.

We will be posting pictures noting our progress here on our blog.

'Before' and 'After' crews performed vegetation removal. this past week.

Almost there...

With a break in the weather road clearance crews are back up and running this week. So far we have completed work on Deerpath, Alston Place, Abigail, Nicholas, Via Alicia and Terrace Vista (pictured ) this week.

Road Clearance Delayed Due To Weather

Our annual road clearance program is well on the way to wrapping up.

We are making great progress, however, we are on hold while we sit out the rainy conditions anticipated to last through the weekend.

We look forward to starting up again on Monday, January, 25.

Work will start on Calle Bello, Nicolas, Via Alicia, and Alameda Padre Serra (Garcia to 5 points) next week.

Road Clearance Resumes Tomorrow

After a short break and busy holidays, our annual Vegetation Road Clearance program is scheduled to resume Tuesday, January 5th.

Work will being with Loma Media and Garcia Road this week.