Fire History
Santa Barbara County's wildfire history includes some of the most severe events in Southern California. The 2017 Thomas Fire (281,893 acres) was the largest in California history at the time, burning across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The 2019 Cave Fire threatened the city of Santa Barbara directly. The 2021 Alisal Fire shut down Highway 101 near Gaviota. The 2016 Sherpa Fire burned in the Refugio area. The county's combination of steep terrain, dry chaparral, and strong Diablo winds creates persistent extreme fire conditions.
Local Compliance Notes
CAL FIRE Santa Barbara Unit serves unincorporated SRA areas. The Santa Barbara foothills, Montecito, Carpinteria foothills, and communities along Highway 154 face significant Zone Zero obligations. The 2018 Montecito debris flow, which followed the Thomas Fire, underscores the importance of full defensible space compliance in this area. Contact CAL FIRE or your city fire department for Phase 2 timeline specifics.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in Santa Barbara County include Montecito, Carpinteria foothills, Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara foothills, Goleta hillsides, Los Olivos, Solvang foothills, Lompoc hillsides, Santa Ynez Valley, and communities along Highway 154 and the Gaviota corridor.
Local FAQs
Does Zone Zero apply in Montecito and the Santa Barbara foothills? Yes — these communities are in Very High FHSZ and Zone Zero requirements apply fully. The Thomas Fire demonstrated the severe ember risk in this area. Early compliance is strongly recommended given the history of fast-moving wind-driven fire in this corridor.