Ready, Set, Go!
Are your home and property ready for wildfire?
View our Wildfire Preparedness StoryMap featuring informational videos, interactive maps and helpful resources to be ready for wildfire.
Click to open the Wildfire Preparedness StoryMap
Wildfire Preparedness Month starts May 1, 2025. To help educate property owners and residents, the Montecito Fire Department developed a “Ready, Set, Go!” educational guide that breaks down the actions needed to be ready for wildfire. Be prepared for wildfire before it strikes by following Ready, Set, Go!
Download Your Wildfire Action Plan - Ready, Set, Go!Defensible Space
Defensible Space and hardening your home is your property’s front-line defense against wildfire. One hundred feet of defensible space is required by law. The Montecito Fire Department will begin Annual Property Inspections on July 1, 2025.
The postcard below was mailed to Montecito residences ahead of Annual Property Inspections beginning July 1.
The Montecito Fire Department provides complimentary Defensible Space Surveys of your property. To schedule a survey, please call (805) 969-7762.
Build An Evacuation Go-Bag
After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.
Store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
| ️Water (one gallon per person per day for several days) |
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| Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) |
| Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert |
| Flashlight |
| First aid kit |
| Extra batteries |
| Whistle (to signal for help) |
| Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) |
| Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) |
| Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) |
| Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) |
| Manual can opener (for food) |
| Local maps |
| Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery |
| Cash in small denominations |
| Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container |
Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:
| Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces |
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| Prescription medications |
| Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives |
| Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution |
| Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream |
| Pet food and extra water for your pet |
| Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person |
| Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes |
| Fire extinguisher |
| Matches in a waterproof container |
| Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items |
| Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils |
| Paper and pencil |
| Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children |
| Consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, and supplies for seniors or individuals with disabilities |
After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:
| Keep canned food in a cool, dry place. |
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| Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers. |
| Replace expired items as needed. |
| Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change. |
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.
- Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
- Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
- Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.
What Emergency Protective Actions Mean
Protective Actions are issued to provide for life safety during emergency incidents. Residents will be notified of protective actions by the County Office of Emergency Management and compliance with protective actions is enforced by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. Please review the three protective actions used in Santa Barbara County.
Register for ReadySBC Alerts
Montecito Fire Department is committed to providing timely, accurate information to the community. The ReadySBC Alerts system is used to notify the community of emergency incidents.
ReadySBC Alerts is the County of Santa Barbara’s central alerting tool (previously known as “Aware and Prepare Alerts”). It sends warnings and information to residents through text message, email, cellular phone (voice), landline, and TTY/TTD.
How do I get this?
In order to receive these official messages from the County, you must sign up for alerts.
Please note: Those who previously registered for Aware and Prepare Alerts will continue to receive alerts and do not need to re-register for ReadySBC Alerts.
If you want to confirm or update your account information, click “Sign In” and enter your username and password (click “Forgot Username” and “Forgot Password” to recover these).
Once you are in the system, verify that your information is correct and you have at least one address listed and one way for the County to reach you (text, email, cell, landline).
You can list up to five (5) locations within Santa Barbara County and multiple notification methods in the order you prefer to be reached.
SIGN UP FOR READYSBC ALERTS OR VERIFY YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION