The 2004-2006 Fire Seasons spared Mission Canyon and most of Santa Barbara County. However, the fires that swept through Southern California proved to be the most destructive in California history. The lessons learned from these fires are especially instructive in planning for the next Mission Canyon fire.

Your Mission Canyon Association is taking aggressive measures designed to reduce the consequences of the next Mission Canyon wildfire. We sponsor Evacuation Drills, Brush Clearance Days, Chipper Days, and secure funding for vegetation management clearance efforts throughout Mission Canyon. Will these efforts eliminate or reduce the risk of wildfire? The answer, unfortunately, is No.

But your personal efforts can make a difference between loss and survival. Maintaining a defensible space around your home, planning evacuation strategies, and working with your neighbors to create safer neighborhoods may make a vital difference to you and your loved ones, when the next fire comes through our Canyon.

 

Click here to see an Editorial on Enforcing Defensible Space

Thank you to the many neighbors who attended the Zaca Fire briefing and those of you who have taken advantage of the dumpsters provided by the County to clear brush. The best thing we can do is be prepared. The County Fire Department expressed their appreciation to Mission Canyon Residents for their involvement and concerns. It will make their job easier if we are ready should we need them.

Click here to see Santa Barbara County Fire Department Website and links to other great sites to monitor the Zaca fire and become better prepared.

Santa Barbara Homeowner Handbook for Fire Preparedness

Click on the line above to download your own pdf copy of this excellent resource. Pay special attention to the chapter on Defensible Space which has now been expanded to 100 ft.

Click here to see fire safety video.

Click Here to see more info on Brush Clearance activities in Mission Canyon.