Red Flag Warning Called

Santa Barbara County Fire Department staffing levels are up due to a Red Flag Warning called for the South Coast (zone CAZ239) and mountains (zone CAZ252) for midnight through 10 a.m. Sunday. conditions of gusty winds and increasing heat may last through Tuesday, said County Fire Captain David Sadecki in a press release. Two additional engines, a water tender, an extra firefighter in Cuyama, two crews, and two overhead positions have been called out in readiness of expected high winds and warmer dry weather.

In Montecito, the Fire Protection District announced it has placed another brush engine, patrol, and dispatcher on duty for the Sundowners expected to bring winds of 30-40 mph and gusts to 50-60 mph overnight.

Residents are asked to play their part and take extreme caution if operating flame- or spark-producing machinery. For information on the Ready! Set! Go! wildfire preparation and readiness program for residents, see montecitofire.com.