State Prepositions Firefighters in Santa Barbara County Ahead of Santa Ana Winds Through Sunday
Cal OES deployments began Thursday morning and run through Oct. 18. The county list, as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, assigns four firefighters and support personnel here, while larger contingents go to Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties.
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services is prepositioning firefighting resources in Santa Barbara County ahead of forecast strong Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather, the governor's office announced Wednesday. The deployments began Thursday morning, Oct. 15, and will remain in place through Sunday, Oct. 18.
For Santa Barbara County, the Cal OES county-by-county list, with data as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, assigns four firefighters and support personnel. That Cal OES list assigns 86 firefighters and support personnel and 15 local government engines to Los Angeles City and County, 50 firefighters and support personnel to Ventura County, and 45 to Orange County. Cal OES is also prepositioning resources in Plumas, Lake and Sierra counties under the same release.
Governor Gavin Newsom directed CAL FIRE and Cal OES to preposition additional resources and place the State Operations Center into an enhanced readiness posture, the governor's office said. CAL FIRE is increasing staffing and positioning engine strike teams across Southern California to reinforce local crews.
Local officials will decide where the prepositioned resources stage and what they are assigned to do. The governor's office said local fire officials will determine staging locations and assignments based on expected conditions and operational needs, and that the preparations supplement the statewide Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System.
The state announcement also warned that utility providers may begin Public Safety Power Shutoffs in portions of coastal and inland Southern California, the Sierra Nevada and Northern California to reduce wildfire risk from electrical infrastructure. Residents were advised to contact their utility provider for timing and location information and to avoid outdoor activities that could create sparks.
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