Solvang hosts Wildfire Preparedness & Community Safety Town Hall
SOLVANG, Calif. – Following a series of devastating wildfires, including the Lake Fire that burned more than 38,000 acres near Zaca Lake and Santa Ynez in July, the Mountain Fire in Camarillo in November, and the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County in January, residents are focusing on disaster preparedness.
That concern prompted Solvang officials to host a town hall meeting, encouraging locals to plan for future weather and fire events that could lead to evacuations. The event was streamed online to reach a wider audience.
The meeting agenda covered topics such as the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, vegetation management, Ready SBC Alerts, warning protocols, protective measures for homes and families, and Firewise community programs.
Charlotte and Randy Ophaug were among the first to arrive at the meeting.
"Our big concern following the fire in Los Angeles is that the area where we live, down by the river, has not been maintained in terms of brush clearing," Charlotte Ophaug said. "We know that if a fire came over the mountain from Santa Barbara, this whole area would go up in flames like Pacific Palisades."
Her husband expressed concern about the limited evacuation routes in their area.
First responders at the meeting advised that residents in such areas should evacuate early or as soon as a warning is issued to avoid traffic congestion.
Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy said he is confident the community will secure a state grant to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. He encouraged residents to participate in a survey to help shape the plan at bit.ly/SOLVANGCWPP.
Santa Barbara County Fire Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Garrett Huff and Fire Marshal Fred Tan also participated in the meeting. They presented a map showing fire-prone areas and regions undergoing brush reduction efforts.
Scott Coffman, a representative from the Fire Safe Council, noted that the county has 25 Firewise communities. More information is available at SBFireSafeCouncil.org/Firewise-USA.
Kate Furlong, also with the council, emphasized the importance of maintaining defensible space around homes and hardening structures to prevent burning embers from entering.
Kelly Hubbard, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, urged residents to stay aware of the incoming storm, expected to be at its strongest Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hubbard, who lives in the Santa Ynez Valley, stressed the importance of community connections. She shared that during a recent emergency, a neighbor helped evacuate her pets while she was at work.
She recommended residents have a go-kit ready for evacuations and an emergency kit for disasters such as earthquakes. She also encouraged residents to sign up for and update emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.
