Santa Barbara County Fire Department

10/14/2026

🇺🇸 Honoring a Fallen Firefighter

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department Honor Guard had the privilege of representing our department at the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento, where fallen Firefighter Glenn Ohler was honored and his name was permanently added to the Memorial Wall.

Our Honor Guard stood alongside Glenn’s wife, fellow firefighters, and Honor Guards from across California to honor his service, sacrifice, and lasting legacy.

The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the bonds within the fire service and our unwavering commitment to honoring our fallen firefighters and supporting the families they leave behind.

Firefighter Glenn Ohler’s legacy will forever be remembered, and his family will always remain part of our fire family.

We honor. We remember. We never forget. ❤️

09/27/2026

Congratulations to Santa Barbara County Fire Engineer Connor Raecyna (pictured on the right), who was recognized as a Top Performer during the 2026 Public Safety Awards presented by Lompoc Elks Lodge #2274.

Connor was honored for his outstanding and dedicated service to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the communities we proudly serve.

We’re proud to see his commitment, professionalism, and service recognized by our community. Congratulations, Connor! 👏🚒

09/26/2026

09/21/2026

CALTRANS PRESS RELEASE: Caltrans District 5 has begun vegetation control work along Highway 166 in Santa Barbara County.

Travelers can expect daytime one-way reversing traffic control Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with delays of up to 15 minutes.

The project will remove vegetation and brush along a 40-mile stretch of HWY 166 to help mitigate wildfire risk.

See the attached Caltrans press release for additional information.
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COMUNICADO DE CALTRANS: Caltrans Distrito 5 inició trabajos de control de vegetación a lo largo de la Carretera 166 en el condado de Santa Bárbara.

Los conductores pueden esperar control de tráfico alternado en un solo carril, de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m., con demoras de hasta 15 minutos.

El proyecto contempla la eliminación de vegetación y maleza a lo largo de un tramo de 40 millas de la Carretera 166 para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de incendios forestales.

Consulte el comunicado de prensa adjunto de Caltrans para obtener más información.

09/09/2026

EXTREME HEAT WARNING ☀️‼️🌡️

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for all of Santa Barbara County through 8 p.m. Thursday, September 10.

According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, temperatures across the warned areas may reach 88–108°F.

-Stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade 💧
-Check on family members and neighbors vulnerable to the heat 👥
-Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle🚗
-Avoid activities that could create sparks and never park on dry vegetation 🔥

Sign up for emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org and visit the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard website for the latest information.

Stay cool, stay safe, and stay prepared.

Weather graphics by: US National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard

WildfirePrevention
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ADVERTENCIA DE CALOR EXTREMO ☀️‼️🌡️

Una Advertencia de Calor Extremo está vigente para todo el condado de Santa Bárbara hasta las 8 p. m. del jueves 10 de septiembre.

De acuerdo con el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Los Ángeles/Oxnard, las temperaturas en las zonas bajo advertencia podrían alcanzar entre 88 y 108 °F.

-Toma suficientes líquidos y descansa en la sombra💧
-Mantente al pendiente de familiares y vecinos vulnerables al calor 👥
-Nunca dejes a niños ni mascotas dentro de un vehículo estacionado 🚗
-Evita actividades que puedan generar chispas y nunca estaciones sobre vegetación seca 🔥

Regístrate para recibir alertas de emergencia en ReadySBC.org y visita el sitio web del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Los Ángeles/Oxnard para obtener la información más reciente.

Mantente fresco, seguro y preparado.

09/07/2026

This , we recognize the firefighters, dispatchers, support staff, and dedicated professionals of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department who work every day to serve and protect our communities.

We’re grateful for the commitment, skill, and hard work you bring to Santa Barbara County each day.

Happy Labor Day from Santa Barbara County Fire! 🇺🇸🚒

08/25/2026

🚩 RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Red Flag Warning for Santa Barbara County’s interior mountains, adjacent foothills and the Cuyama Valley. The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, through 3 p.m. Friday, August 28, due to extreme heat, atmospheric instability, low humidity and locally gusty winds.

A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire-weather conditions are occurring or will develop shortly. Extreme heat, very deep mixing heights, dry vegetation, low humidity and locally gusty winds can lead to rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior, including the potential for large, plume-dominated fires.

Southern Santa Barbara County will also experience elevated to briefly critical fire-weather conditions through Saturday night due to gusty Sundowner winds combined with hot and dry conditions. The strongest Sundowner winds are expected Tuesday and Saturday evenings, with sustained winds of 15–30 mph and gusts of 30–45 mph.

Avoid using tools or machinery that could produce sparks in grass or brush-covered areas. For the latest weather information, visit weather.gov/lox. Sign up for local emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.

🚩 RED FLAG WARNING! 🚩

Fire weather conditions will be elevated across portions of Southern California this week. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 AM Tuesday through 3 PM Friday for portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Extreme heat, low humidity, unstable conditions, and locally gusty winds are expected. Together, these conditions can contribute to rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior if a spark ignites.

One less spark can make a difference. Avoid activities that could start a wildfire, stay fire aware, and know the conditions in your area. Monitor local alerts and be ready to act if a wildfire starts. Learn more at ReadyForWildfire.org.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Ventura County Fire Department CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit Santa Barbara County Fire Department

08/24/2026

🚩 RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Red Flag Warning for Santa Barbara County’s interior mountains, adjacent foothills and the Cuyama Valley. The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, through 3 p.m. Friday, August 28, due to extreme heat, atmospheric instability, low humidity and locally gusty winds.

A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire-weather conditions are occurring or will develop shortly. Extreme heat, very deep mixing heights, dry vegetation, low humidity and locally gusty winds can lead to rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior, including the potential for large, plume-dominated fires.

Southern Santa Barbara County will also experience elevated to briefly critical fire-weather conditions through Saturday night due to gusty Sundowner winds combined with hot and dry conditions. The strongest Sundowner winds are expected Tuesday and Saturday evenings, with sustained winds of 15–30 mph and gusts of 30–45 mph.

Avoid using tools or machinery that could produce sparks in grass or brush-covered areas. For the latest weather information, visit weather.gov/lox. Sign up for local emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.

Graphic credit: National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard

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🚩 ADVERTENCIA DE BANDERA ROJA: El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Los Ángeles/Oxnard ha emitido una Advertencia de Bandera Roja para las montañas del interior del condado de Santa Bárbara, las zonas al pie de las montañas y el Valle de Cuyama. La advertencia estará vigente desde las 10 a.m. del martes 25 de agosto hasta las 3 p.m. del viernes 28 de agosto, debido al calor extremo, la inestabilidad atmosférica, la baja humedad y los vientos localmente fuertes.

Una Advertencia de Bandera Roja indica que existen condiciones meteorológicas críticas para incendios o que estas se desarrollarán en poco tiempo. El calor extremo, las elevadas alturas de mezcla atmosférica, la vegetación seca, la baja humedad y los vientos localmente fuertes pueden provocar la propagación rápida del fuego y un comportamiento extremo de los incendios, incluyendo la posibilidad de incendios de gran magnitud dominados por columnas convectivas.

El sur del condado de Santa Bárbara también tendrá condiciones elevadas o brevemente críticas para incendios hasta la noche del sábado, debido a los vientos Sundowner combinados con condiciones cálidas y secas. Se esperan los vientos Sundowner más fuertes durante las noches del martes y sábado, con vientos sostenidos de 15–30 mph y ráfagas de 30–45 mph.

Evite utilizar herramientas o maquinaria que puedan producir chispas en áreas con pasto o maleza. Para obtener la información meteorológica más reciente, visite weather.gov/lox. Inscríbase para recibir alertas locales de emergencia en ReadySBC.org.

Crédito de la imagen: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Los Ángeles/Oxnard

08/22/2026

Drum Fire Incident Evening Update(08/21/26): The Fire remains at 40 acres and is 85% contained.

08/21/2026

Drum Fire Incident Morning Update (08/21/26): The fire remains at 40 acres and is 75% contained. Today, crews will continue working along the fire’s perimeter, focusing on increasing containment and conducting mop-up operations.

Incident Commander Matt Osborne provides the final operational update on the Drum Fire. Thank you to everyone who followed along and tuned in for our incident updates.