Press Releases

Montecito Fire deploys sheep to reduce community’s wildfire risk

Creating Centralized Dispatch Center for County & Expanding Emergency Operations Center

MONTECITO, CA – The Montecito Fire Department recognized the recent promotions of six employees with a ceremony Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Fire Station 91. Family, friends, colleagues and community members were invited to attend the Promotional Ceremony to honor the employees’ professional accomplishments of the six employees.

MONTECITO, CA – Montecito Fire Protection District recently earned an improved rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for its national Public Protection Classification (PPC) Program. The fire department’s ISO rating improved from 3/3x to 2/2x. The rating is based upon an evaluation of the structure fire suppression capabilities provided to the Montecito community. Insurers utilize this information to set insurance rates.

MONTECITO, CA – The Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of David Neels as Fire Chief following Chief Kevin Taylor’s retirement on March 31, 2023. Chief Neels’ first day as Chief will be April 1, 2023. He will lead a team of about 50 full-time fire department employees serving the Montecito community.

(SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA.) –  The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire agencies and other public safety officials, has announced that as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Evacuation Orders are canceled for the identified properties and parcels in the Alisal Fire, Cave Fire, and Thomas Fire burn areas in Santa Barbara County.

AN EVACUATION WARNING IN EFFECT AS OF 6 P.M. ON MONDAY, MARCH 13 TURNING INTO AN EVACUATION ORDER AS OF 8 A.M. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14

An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued effective Monday, March 13 at 6pm for the identified properties and areas in south Santa Barbara County associated with the Alisal, Cave, and Thomas Fires.

This EVACUATION WARNING will be upgraded to an EVACUATION ORDER at 8am tomorrow (3/14).

MONTECITO, CA – At approximately 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, on-duty firefighters at Montecito Fire Station 92 noticed the smell of smoke in the building and conducted a search to find the source of the smoke. Light smoke was filling the first and second floors of the fire station at 2300 Sycamore Canyon Road.

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – Winter weather conditions continue to be forecast for Santa Barbara County for Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25. Extreme cold temperatures, snow at higher elevations, continued wind, localized flooding, and isolated thunderstorms are possible countywide.

MONTECITO, CA – Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor announced today his upcoming retirement from the Montecito Fire Department after 35 years of service. Chief Taylor began his career in the fire service in 1987 and has served as Montecito Fire Chief since 2019. His last day as Fire Chief will be March 31, 2023.