There have been signs that it’s time. Now, what’s known as high fire season in Santa Barbara County is officially beginning this week.
The county has had a number of small brush fire during the last two weeks, including one at the county dump, one in the Santa Maria area, and one over the weekend northwest of Goleta. Fortunately, firefighters were able to stop those blazes quickly. But, it highlights the fact conditions are becoming ripe for wildfires.
Santa Barbara County has had just 65% of normal rain this rainfall season, which means potential wildfire fuels are significantly drier than usual.
When high fire season starts on Friday, it means all residential and hazard reduction burn permits will be suspended. It also means that when a brush fire is reported, more resources will be sent out for the initial attack, in the hopes of stopping it before it spreads.
