Press releases are published on Independent.com as a free community service.
Source: Courtesy
SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 23, 2024
The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that recovery and mitigation efforts along Loma Alta Drive are now complete following the Loma Alta Fire that occurred on May 20, 2021. The fire, which burned approximately nine acres and caused damage to several residences, was quickly contained by firefighters.
As a precaution, the city’s Department of Public Works closed Loma Alta Drive between Coronel Street and Marilla Avenue for the last three rainy seasons. Concrete barriers were also installed below the fire area to protect the road. Although the last two winters have brought heavy rains, no significant impact has been observed on the road or storm sewer system. After more than three seasons, the hillside has regained sufficient vegetation and soil stabilization, returning to pre-fire stormwater runoff potential. The mitigation measures have been successfully completed and are no longer needed.
As the rainy season approaches, residents are reminded that many areas are at risk of soil displacement due to extreme weather conditions. The city encourages everyone to develop an emergency preparedness plan. To view resources, visit the website Office of Emergency Services: Prepare website.
The community is encouraged to register for ReadySBC Alerts, the county’s notification system that allows public safety officials to alert community members of emergencies and any necessary protective actions, such as evacuation and sheltering. Alerts and warnings can be sent to your mobile device (call or text), email, landline and TTY/TDD. More information can be found on the website ReadySBC.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Brian D’Amour, City Engineer, at [email protected].
Information about the Department of Public Works can be found at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PublicWorks.