Montecito Fire Department Partners with Montecito Water District to Increase Firefighting Resources During High Fire Danger
September 2, 2026
MONTECITO, CA – The Montecito Fire Department, in partnership with Montecito Water District, has established two new temporary firefighter housing locations for use during periods of elevated fire risk and other significant weather events.
Building on recent collaboration, Fire Chief Brian Fallon approached the Montecito Water District to propose housing firefighting crews on Water District properties when conditions are prime for extreme fire behavior. The identified properties are located on the east and west ends of Montecito Fire Department’s jurisdiction.
The east end location is the Water District’s East Valley Pump Station property, located near the intersection of Sheffield Drive and East Valley Road. The west end location is at the Water District’s Terminal Reservoir, located near the intersection of East Mountain Drive and Cold Spring Road. These strategic locations on the borders of Montecito Fire’s service area will provide enhanced public safety and significantly improve emergency response capabilities.
“By proactively positioning firefighters at these two locations on the far ends of our district, we can greatly reduce the time it takes to arrive on scene of a vegetation fire in remote wildland areas where our fire risk is the highest,” Montecito Fire Chief Brian Fallon said. “We are exceedingly grateful to the Montecito Water District for coordinating with us on this project. It’s just one example of the great partnership we have with MWD and our willingness to work together for the community’s benefit.”
Following the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles in January 2025, Montecito Water District and Montecito Fire Department teamed up to identify priority projects for community protection. As a result, four new fire hydrants were added at sites with vital water facilities. Ongoing conversations about how to better protect our community led to the further development of these temporary firefighter housing locations at the East Valley Pump Station and Terminal Reservoir.
“We are pleased to collaborate on these important initiatives to increase protection for residents,” said Montecito Water District General Manager Nick Turner. “This will also improve fire resilience at these water facilities that benefit the entire community. Reducing risks to help ensure water availability during times of need is a top priority.”
This September, travel trailers will be placed at the East Valley Pump Station and Terminal Reservoir equipped with water and power so they are ready to quickly house firefighters when critical fire weather conditions or storm events are predicted.
Depending on weather conditions and resource availability, one or both locations will be staffed with either two or four-person firefighting crews. Firefighters will staff a Type 6 engine with 250 gallons of water or a Type 3 brush engine with 500 gallons of water. The newly added fire hydrants at these facilities will facilitate on-site replenishment if needed.
Montecito Fire Department increased firefighter staffing due to severe fire weather and storm events 17 times in 2024 and 17 times in 2025, most often from November through February.
Montecito Fire Department and Montecito Water District have more than a century-long tradition of working side-by-side, since the Water District’s formation in 1921 soon after Montecito Fire was established in 1917. Strong collaboration creates a more unified, efficient system of protection from fire risks.
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