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Fire & Mudslide Information
For fire or mudslide information, including post-storm cleanup, counseling resources, and more:
- Call 2-1-1
- Text your zip code (ex: “93101”) to 898-211
- Visit the Santa Barbara County Winter Storm Info or Thomas Fire Info Page
Evacuation/Structure Damage Maps: View the updated Mandatory and Voluntary Evacuation areas and Public Safety Exclusion Zone here. View the interactive web map for property damage assessment data here.
Disaster Preparedness
Emergency Alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts at www.ReadySBC.org. For updates through social media, follow @countyofsb on Twitter or Facebook.
Information Booklets: New booklets with instructions for 72-hour evacuation steps in the event of an Pre-Evacuation Advisory, Recommended Evacuation Warning, or a Mandatory Evacuation Order. These are available in English and Spanish at the following locations:
- Disaster Recovery Center – 1 N Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara
- Carpinteria City Hall – 5775 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria
- Montecito Fire Station #1 – 595 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito
- Montecito Starbucks – 1046-A, Coast Village Rd., Montecito
- Montecito Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – 1209 Coast Village Rd., Montecito
- Montecito Village Grocery – 1482 East Valley Rd., Montecito
Storm Readiness: Visit www.ReadySBC.org for other resources, including 10 Steps to Protect Yourself Now, health & safety updates, and other pre- and post-disaster resources.
Recovery and Rebuilding
Case managers through the County’s Planning and Development Department can help homeowners navigate through the process of debris management, permitting and more. Visit www.SBCountyPlanning.org for a variety of resources available to inform and assist homeowners.
The Montecito Center for Preparedness, Recovery, and Rebuilding will serve as the physical hub for information and support for those affected by the Thomas Fire and Winter Storm. The Center is located at 1238 Coast Village Circle and will be open Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, Wed 6pm-8pm, and Sat 10am-2pm. For more information, email montecitocenter@sbcoem.org or call 805-845-7887.
Montecito Materials Exchange
The Montecito Materials Exchange has been set up to facilitate the sharing of usable materials and limit the amount of debris heading to area landfills. By using this site, homeowners and contractors can connect directly with Montecito residents who have materials on their property that they need to remove. Categories include boulders, mulch, rocks, soil, and “other.” Learn more here.
Counseling Resources
- Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care is offering free support counseling for those who have suffered a loss. Call 805-308-9602 or email bereavement@vnhcsb.org.
- Family Service Agency set up Compassion Centers at Cleveland, Cold Springs, and Santa Barbara High School and Junior High after the storm. For more information about counseling for your child, contact your school administration or call FSA at 805-965-1001 or visit fsacares.org.
Make a Donation/Help
American Red Cross
Go online to Red Cross Disaster Relief to donate or register to help. Monetary donations can also be made by texting “redcross” to 90999.
United Way of Ventura County
Go online to United Way’s Thomas Fire and Flood Fund or text “UWVC” to 41444.
Santa Barbara Foundation
The Santa Barbara Foundation has set up a Community Disaster Relief Fund to support organizations currently assisting those affected. Donate here.
805 UndocuFund
805 UndocuFund is a collective effort among Ventura and Santa Barbara County-based grassroots organizations to assist local undocumented immigrant individuals and families who have been economically impacted by the Thomas Fire and the mudslides in its aftermath and are excluded from many relief programs such as FEMA assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Donate here.
Utility Services
Residential Gas Service
For issues or questions regarding residential gas, visit Southern California Gas at www.socalgas.com/newsroom/montecito or call 800-427-2200.
Power
To report a power outage or for more information, visit Southern California Edison at www.sce.com or call 800-250-7339.
Telephone/Internet
Reach Cox Communications at www.cox.com/residential or call 800-234-3993. Reach Frontier Communications at https://frontier.com or 800-921-8101.
Water Safety & Sanitation
Reach the Montecito Water District at www.montecitowater.com or call 805-969-2271. Reach the Montecito Sanitary District at www.montsan.org or call 805-969-4200.
The boil water notice is longer in effect for Montecito Water District customers as of Feb 1.
Mud Cleanup Safety & Protection Guidelines
To protect residents from exposure to raw sewage and other chemicals that may be present in the mud, the Public Health Department offers the following guidance:
1. Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, rubber boots and nitrile gloves. If there is potential for exposure to wet mud and boots do not offer enough protection, a water-repellent coverall should be worn. If there is potential for eye exposure, then goggles should be worn.
2. Remove excess mud from footgear before entering a vehicle or a building.
3. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with mud.
4. Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes, nose, genitalia, or open sores and cuts while working.
5. Wash hands before you eat, drink, or smoke and before and after using the bathroom.
6. Eat in designated areas away from mud-handling activities.
7. Do not smoke or chew tobacco or gum while working with mud.
8. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages.
9. Thoroughly but gently flush eyes with water if mud comes in contact with eyes.
10. Change into clean work clothing on a daily basis. Keep footgear for use at worksite only.
11. Do not wear work clothes home or outside the work environment.
12. Use gloves to prevent skin abrasions.
13. Hand-washing stations with clean water and mild soap should be readily available. In the case of workers in the field, portable sanitation equipment, including clean water and soap, should be provided.
14. Where the mud has dried out and is now creating dust, workers who may be exposed to dust should be given, at a minimum, N95 particulate filtering face piece respirators.