DOCSLIB.ORG

Coastal Vulnerability Under Extreme Weather

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Coastal Vulnerability Under Extreme Weather Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Nature B. V.. This e-offprint is for personal use only inand shall not be self-archived electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to t he original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be nied by the following text: "The final on is available at link.springer.com”. accompa publicati 123 Author's personal copy Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-020-09357-0 Coastal Vulnerability under Extreme Weather Alan T. Murray1 & Leila Carvalho1 & Richard L. Church1 & Charles Jones1 & Dar Roberts1 & Jing Xu1 & Katelyn Zigner1 & Deanna Nash1 Received: 7 January 2020 /Accepted: 14 July 2020/ # Springer Nature B.V. 2020 Abstract Communities like Santa Barbara, California appear to have it all – beaches, mountains, sunshine, moderate temperatures, small urban population, and close proximity to the large metropolis of Los Angeles. What is not to love? Climate change, drought, flammable vegetation, and naturally prevailing weather conditions make a significant portion of the population vulnerable in many ways. Earthquakes and tsunamis might come to mind, but perhaps more of a threat is fire and/or flooding at, on or near the wildland-urban interface. The recent Thomas fire in December of 2017 and subsequent flooding, debris flow and mudslides in Montecito that followed in January of 2018 highlight what coastal vulnerability means under the new normal of extreme wildfire and flooding danger for this region. This paper discusses the unique hazards along with local weather conditions that contribute to vulnerability. We then detail spatial analytics to assess, model and predict risks. Insights are offered for the Santa Barbara region associated with extreme weather vulnerabilities. Keywords Wildfire. climatechange. flooding. debris flow. spatial analytics Introduction Extreme weather conditions have long contributed to coastal vulnerability in places like Southern California, putting communities at risk. Climate change is altering seasonal weather patterns, exacerbating extremes and introducing new threats (Diffenbaugh et al. 2015; Mann and Gleick 2015). Of particular concern are exceptional droughts coupled with prolonged and/or heavy rainfall events. Drought adversely impacts grasses, shrubs, trees, etc., fragmenting landscapes. Further, drought also modifies soil hydrologic properties, such as reducing infiltration capacity (McDowell 2011). The implications for coastal vulnerability are many, but increased wildfire risk due to dry conditions and a buildup of vegetation fuels are especially threatening to people and Author's personal copy Coastal Vulnerability under Extreme Weather * Alan T. Murray [email protected] Extended author information available on the last page of the article property. Furthermore, Southern California can experience high intensity precipitation events that result in flooding, flash floods, mudslides, debris flows, etc. (Jones 2000, Harris and Carvalho 2018, Oakley et al. 2018). Collectively, drought, wildfire and intense periods of rain put many communities in harm’s way. The Santa Barbara region (Fig. 1), including Goleta, Isla Vista, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria, is a compelling example of coastal vulnerability in Southern California. This region is positioned in a narrow zone between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, populated by some 150,000 people. The mountains are oriented in an east-west direction with elevations of up to approximately 1200 m, rising abruptly from a narrow coastal plain. This offers housing options with stunning mountain and/or ocean views, though they are likely far from affordable for the average income household. The United States Census (2019) indicates that housing values vary considerably across the region, with median prices of over $2 million in Montecito, $934,500 in Santa Barbara, $617,000 in Carpinteria, $718,300 in Goleta and $416,700 in Isla Vista, as an example.1 Median household income is $146,250 (Montecito), $87,068 (Goleta), $71,160 (Santa Barbara), $69,834 (Carpinteria) and $23,541 (Isla Vista), with corresponding poverty rates of 8.0%, 8.4%, 13.7%, 7.7% and 65.5%, respectively (United States Census 2019). It is worth pointing out that Isla Vista is predominantly a student oriented population, most of whom attend neighboring University of California at Santa Barbara. Further socioeconomic characterization is that racial composition of Santa Barbara is 55.6% White, 36.4% Hispanic and 3.9% Asian, with some variation in Isla Vista (e.g., 19.0% Asian) and Montecito (e.g., 87.0% White) (United States Census 2019). For the people living, working or visiting the area, transportation access to and within the region is primarily via US Highway 101, running parallel to the coast. A significant portion of the population resides in the foothills and mountains, near canyons and passes at or on the wildland-urban interface. This is noteworthy because travel is along narrow, winding roads in many cases. The foothills and mountains of Santa Barbara extend into the Los Padres National Forest, as shown in Fig. 1. The vegetation cover is dominated by dense evergreen shrublands (chaparral) and drought deciduous shrubs on south facing slopes as well as mixed broadleaf and evergreen trees in riparian areas and on north facing slopes at higher elevations. Along with vegetation and topography, frequent downslope winds on the southern slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains make coastal Santa Barbara particularly susceptible to wildfire. Fig 2 gives a summary of major wildfires in the region since 1955, with spatial extent shown in Fig. 3. While there is a long history of fire in this area as part of natural regenerative processes (Ryan 1996, Kolden and Henson 2019), Fig. 2 indicates a clear signal of increased frequency as well as a notable recent trend of larger fires that are more destructive. 1 Summerland figure not included as it is not recognized by the Census as a designated place. Author's personal copy A. Murray et al. Vulnerabilities to people and property in Santa Barbara extend beyond fire, with flooding also a significant concern. The average annual rainfall in this region is approximately 482 mm, but has been as low as 152 mm and as high as 1270 mm (County of Santa Barbara 2019a). The region has a history of flood events. Fig. 4 highlights the major floods occurring in the region since 1950. 1 Many can be attributed Fig. 1 Santa Barbara region to El Nino (e.g., 1952, 1978, 1983, 1995, 1998), the condition of ocean-atmosphere interaction associated with periodic warming in sea surface temperatures near the equator in the Pacific Ocean that often increases precipitation in Southern California (Schonher and Nicholson 1989). Indeed, over 1350 mm was recorded at Lake Cachuma in the 1997–1998 hydrologic year due to the influence of a strong El Nino (Harrison and Larkin 1998). However, while El Nino events are correlated with annual precipitation in Southern California, the relationship suggests other unpredictable factors in regional rainfall (Cash and Burls 2019). For most of Southern California, total annual precipitation results from only a few storms (Harris and Carvalho 2018, Cannon et al. 2018). These intense storms interact with the complex landscape of the 1 Information compiled from County of Santa Barbara (2019b) and State of California (2013). Author's personal copy Coastal Vulnerability under Extreme Weather Fig. 2 Major wildfires in Santa Barbara (1955–2018) Fig. 3 Estimate perimeters of major wildfires in Santa Barbara (1955–2018) region and have potential for localized flooding and landslides. Noteworthy instances of high intensity storms include those of March 1995 (about 76 mm per hour in areas with high winds, lightning and thunder) that closed the Santa Barbara airport, February 1998 that closed the airport and University of California at Santa Barbara, and January 2005 that resulted in extensive airport flooding. Drought and/or wildfire impact vegetation cover and the ability of soil to absorb precipitation, contributing to flooding vulnerability. The combination of extensive drought followed by a major wildfire in early winter exposed mountain regions to critical post-fire debris flow risk. In the evening of Author's personal copy A. Murray et al. January 9, 2018 a narrow band of intense rainfall and vigorous convection produced a record breaking event of approximately 14 mm in five minutes in the foothills/ mountains of Montecito over a portion of the Thomas fire burn area (see Fig. 3). This resulted in deadly debris flows (23 deaths and over 150 injured) and destruction (more Fig. 4 Major flooding in Santa Barbara (1950–2018) than 100 homes destroyed, some 300 homes damaged and critical infrastructure disrupted for weeks) (Murray et al. 2020). This paper seeks to enhance the current understanding of coastal vulnerabilities associated with changing climate in a region with naturally prevailing conditions that put people and property at extreme risk. Fire and/or intense precipitation at, on or near the urban-wildland interface are ever looming dangers. The intent of this paper therefore is to highlight that an interdisciplinary perspective and supporting spatial analytical approaches are critical in planning, policy and response mitigation efforts, and will continue to be in the coming years. The section that follows offers a broad overview of coastal vulnerabilities in the context of climate and weather. This is followed by an overview of wildfire, wind and flooding relative to risks and vulnerability. Spatial analytics contributing to a better understanding of vulnerabilities are then discussed. Insights for the Santa Barbara region are highlighted. The paper ends with concluding remarks and observations.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Original Draft CWPP
    DRAFT CITY OF SANTA BARBARA May 2020 Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material. Table of Contents SECTIONS Acronyms and Abbreviations ..........................................................................................................................................................v Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... vii 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Development Team ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Community Involvement ................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3.1 Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3.2 Public Outreach and Engagement Plan ........................................................................................................ 4 1.3.3 Public Outreach Meetings .............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Hazards
    Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment FINAL Specialist Report – GEOLOGIC HAZARDS Thomas Fire –Los Padres N.F. December, 2017 Jonathan Yonni Schwartz – Geomorphologist/geologist, Los Padres NF Introduction The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017, near the Thomas Aquinas College (east end of Sulphur Mountain), Ventura County, California. The fire is still burning and as of December 13, 2017, is estimated to have burned 237,500 acres and is 25% contained. Since the fire is still active, the BAER Team analysis is separated into two phases. This report/analysis covers a very small area of the fire above the community of Ojai, California and is considered phase 1 (of 2). Under phase 1 of this BAER assessment, 40,271 acres are being analyzed (within the fire parameter) out of which 22,971 acres are on National Forest Service Lands. The remaining 17,300 acres are divided between County, City and private lands. Out of a total of 40,271 acres that were analyzed, 99 acres were determined to have burned at a high soil burn severity, 19,243 acres at moderate soil burn severity, 12,044 acres at low soil burn severity and 8,885 acres were unburned. All of the above acres including the unburned acres are within the fire parameter. This report describes and assesses the increase in risk from geologic hazards within the Thomas Fire burned area. When evaluating Geologic Hazards, the focus of the “Geology” function on a BAER Team is on identifying the geologic conditions and geomorphic processes that have helped shape and alter the watersheds and landscapes, and assessing the impacts from the fire on those conditions and processes which will affect downstream values at risk.
    [Show full text]
  • WRF Simulation of Downslope Wind Events in Coastal Santa Barbara County
    UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Previously Published Works Title WRF simulation of downslope wind events in coastal Santa Barbara County Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8h89t6zv Journal ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH, 191 ISSN 0169-8095 Authors Cannon, Forest Carvalho, Leila MV Jones, Charles et al. Publication Date 2017-07-15 DOI 10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.03.010 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Atmospheric Research 191 (2017) 57–73 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Atmospheric Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/atmosres WRF simulation of downslope wind events in coastal Santa Barbara County Forest Cannon a,b,⁎, Leila M.V. Carvalho a,b, Charles Jones a,b,ToddHallc,DavidGombergc, John Dumas c, Mark Jackson c a Department of Geography, University of California Santa Barbara, USA b Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, USA c National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Office, USA article info abstract Article history: The National Weather Service (NWS) considers frequent gusty downslope winds, accompanied by rapid Received 13 June 2016 warming and decreased relative humidity, among the most significant weather events affecting southern Califor- Received in revised form 6 March 2017 nia coastal areas in the vicinity of Santa Barbara (SB). These extreme conditions, commonly known as “sun- Accepted 9 March 2017 downers”, have affected the evolution of all major wildfires that impacted SB in recent years. Sundowners Available online 10 March 2017 greatly increase fire, aviation and maritime navigation hazards and are thus a priority for regional forecasting.
    [Show full text]
  • Background Report No
    DRAFT 3 City of Goleta, California May 24, 2004 BACKGROUND REPORT NO. 26 Fire Services City of Goleta, California Photo courtesy Santa Barbara County Fire Department BACKGROUND The City of Goleta receives fire protection and other emergency services through the Santa Barbara County Fire Department as part of its coverage for the Goleta area. The County Fire Department was established in 1926 and serves areas throughout Santa Barbara County. City of Goleta, California XXVI-1 General Plan Report: Fire Services Printed:3/21/2005 Originally, the department primarily responded to brush and grass fires. But, over time, the department’s responsibilities have greatly expanded. Today, the County Fire department is on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is now an “all risk” department which includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and trained personnel who are experts in various rescue techniques including confined space, trench and rope rescues, water and canine rescues, as well as the handling and containment of hazardous materials and “SWAT” situations. Its mission statement says the department is there “to serve and safeguard the community from the impacts of fires, emergency medical, environmental emergencies and natural disasters” which they will accomplish “through education, code enforcement, planning and prevention, emergency response, and disaster recovery.” City of Goleta, California XXVI-2 General Plan Report: Fire Services Printed:3/21/2005 Photo courtesy of Mike Schlags ORGANIZATION The County Fire Department is headed by the Fire Chief, John Scherrei. The Fire Marshal is Tom Franklin and the Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Goleta is Randy Coleman, who also acts as the liaison between the city and the fire department.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating the Ability of FARSITE to Simulate Wildfires Influenced by Extreme, Downslope Winds in Santa Barbara, California
    fire Article Evaluating the Ability of FARSITE to Simulate Wildfires Influenced by Extreme, Downslope Winds in Santa Barbara, California Katelyn Zigner 1,* , Leila M. V. Carvalho 1,2 , Seth Peterson 1, Francis Fujioka 3, Gert-Jan Duine 2 , Charles Jones 1,2, Dar Roberts 1,2 and Max Moritz 1,2,4 1 Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; [email protected] (L.M.V.C.); [email protected] (S.P.); [email protected] (C.J.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (M.M.) 2 Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; [email protected] 3 CEESMO, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; [email protected] 4 University of California Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources Division, Oakland, CA 94607, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 12 June 2020; Accepted: 7 July 2020; Published: 10 July 2020 Abstract: Extreme, downslope mountain winds often generate dangerous wildfire conditions. We used the wildfire spread model Fire Area Simulator (FARSITE) to simulate two wildfires influenced by strong wind events in Santa Barbara, CA. High spatial-resolution imagery for fuel maps and hourly wind downscaled to 100 m were used as model inputs, and sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the effects of ignition timing and location on fire spread. Additionally, burn area rasters from FARSITE simulations were compared to minimum travel time rasters from FlamMap simulations, a wildfire model similar to FARSITE that holds environmental variables constant. Utilization of two case studies during strong winds revealed that FARSITE was able to successfully reconstruct the spread rate and size of wildfires when spotting was minimal.
    [Show full text]
  • ON MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE. Geico.Com 1-800-442-9253 Limitationsapply.See Geico.Com for More Details
    SPORTS LOCAL Rams’ McVay 2 SLO County SAVE UP TO will be youngest supervisors get $234 IN COUPONS to win – or lose early start on INSIDE – Super Bowl 1C 2020 bids 1B STAY CONNECTED FACEBOOK.COM/SLOTRIBUNE NEWS ALL DAY. Breezy with rain SANLUISOBISPO.COM TWITTER.COM/SLOTRIBUNE YOUR WAY. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3 2019 $3 57°/49° See 6C POWERLESS Rain, wind slam SLO County, downing trees; hundreds without power PHOTOS BY DAVID [email protected] A car crashed into a power pole along Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo on Saturday morning, causing more than 1,500 customers nearby to lose power. BY SCOTT MIDDLECAMP AND DAN ITEL Powerful storm batters [email protected] Southern California [email protected] roads. High wind and heavy rain lashed the BY CHRISTOPHER WEBER A wind gust in Santa Central Coast on Saturday morning, Associated Press Barbara County topped 80 downing trees, flooding creeks and leav- mph as the storm moved ing thousands without power across San LOS ANGELES south and later dropped Luis Obispo County. Mudslides and The second in a string more than a half-inch of more flooding farther south in Santa of powerful storms bat- rain in five minutes. Trees Barbara County was rampant as the tered California on Sat- and power lines were southern Central Coast received the urday, shutting key high- down across the region. brunt of the storm. ways after water and mud In the Montecito area of A tree fell on a house on San Marcos rushed into lanes from Santa Barbara County, Court in San Luis Obispo where a wed- bare hillsides in wildfire several miles of U.S 101, a ding was scheduled for later in the day.
    [Show full text]
  • Bike Park Gets New Lease County Finishing up Los
    Local News, Your Community Arts & Entertainment, Your News Schools, Business, Environment Vol #2 - Issue #24 esteroCAMBRIA • CAYU COSbay • LOS OSOS • MORRO news BAY December 17, 2020 - January 13, 2021 Bike Park Gets New Lease County Finishing Up Los By Neil Farrell Osos Community Plan By Neil Farrell ounty Supervisors took their first look at the Los Osos CCommunity Plan, an all-encompassing set of documents that will guide all aspects of Los Osos’s future — development, habitat conservation, and resource planning — and of course there is controversy over the plans regarding growth and water. “The Community Plan,” reads a Dec. 15 County report, “and related amendments will put in place the goals, policies, programs, standards, and zoning needed to guide future land use, transportation, and development for sustainable growth in the community over the next 20 years.” The “Los Osos Community Plan,” and the “Los Osos Habitat Conservation Plan,” are key segments of the Estero Area Plan, covering Los Osos, Cayucos and rural Morro Bay, which the County has been working to update for nearly 30 years. Due to the sewer controversy and more, Los Osos was separated out form the rest of the Estero Area Plan around 2003. The rest of the area, Cayucos and rural Morro bay, had their portions of the plan approved in 2004. Supervisors also were asked to certify an environmental impact report on the plan(s) including the Habitat Conservation Plan. It was a mouthful of documents interconnected in their scope and authority, and all subject to approval of the Coastal A young mountain biker gets some air in this photo taken in January 2016 at the grand opening of the Morro Bay Bike Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project
    GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor WADE CROWFOOT, Secretary for Natural Resources June 18, 2019 Chief Porter, Director Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 1416 9th Street, Suite1505 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project Dear Chief Porter, On March 22, 2019, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency involving forest conditions near vulnerable communities. The proclamation enables the Secretary for the California Environmental Protection Agency or Natural Resources Agency to suspend State environmental statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements to the extent necessary to complete priority fuel management projects started this calendar year. In considering whether to suspend any requirements, the Secretaries must determine that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under this suspension and will take protection of the environment into account while ensuring timely implementation. CAL FIRE has requested suspension of Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) of the Public Resources Code and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division, commonly known as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for the Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project, which is one of the thirty-five priority projects identified in the Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Report (February 22, 2019). Project Description The Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project is a 67 acre, 6.8-mile long project of roadside fuels reduction and strategic fuel breaks to protect Painted Cave and neighboring communities in Santa Barbara County. This project focuses fuel reduction efforts in a community that has been threatened by multiple fires over the years including the Zaca, Whittier, White, Rey, Gap and Jesusita Fires. The 1990 Painted Cave Fire started just south of this community destroying 660 homes.
    [Show full text]
  • Following the Fire Garden Calendar
    VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2018 Also inside Replanting Guidelines Following the Fire Garden Calendar PHOTO: B. COLLINS SPRING 2018 Ironwood 1 DIRECTOR’S 1212 Mission Canyon Road MESSAGE Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Tel (805) 682-4726 sbbg.org Following Fire GARDEN HOURS n December 2017, the Thomas Fire Mar – Oct: Daily 9AM – 6PM Nov – Feb: Daily 9AM – 5PM caused us to close for two weeks. However, thanks to the heroic efforts REGISTRATION Ext. 102 I Registrar is available: M – F / 9AM – 4PM of firefighters, the fire was stopped more than a mile away from us, and the Garden GARDEN SHOP Ext. 112 Hours: Mar – Oct, Daily 9AM – 5:30PM suffered no damage. After having more Nov – Feb, Daily 9AM – 4:30PM than 70% of the Garden burn and losing GARDEN NURSERY Ext. 127 several structures in the 2009 Jesusita Fire, Selling California native plants to the we feel fortunate to have escaped —this public with no admission fee. time. Our only losses were financial. Hours: Mar – Oct, Daily 9AM – 5:30PM Unfortunately, many of our members Nov – Feb, Daily 9AM – 4:30PM and supporters were not so lucky. We DEVELOPMENT Ext. 133 extend our deepest sympathy to all those EDUCATION Ext. 160 FACILITY RENTAL Ext. 103 who lost loved ones, homes, and businesses MEMBERSHIP Ext. 110 due to the fire and floods. We know what they are going through VOLUNTEER OFFICE Ext. 119 and we understand the effort it will take to recover. It will not be easy but with community support, recovery will happen. Our open IRONWOOD | Volume 26, Number 1 | Spring 2018 spaces and wild lands will recover too, and with some rain, the ISSN 1068-4026 “fire followers” will bloom this spring and the coming years.
    [Show full text]
  • California OES Weekly Weather Threat Briefing
    California OES Weekly Weather Threat Briefing 05, January, 2017 2:00 PM PST National Weather Service Western Region Headquarters Regional Operations Center Salt Lake City, UT Day 1: Very cold temperatures across Northern CA. Prepared by: Leslie Waite 801-524-7907 Key Points 01/06 – 01/13 Friday • Drier with very cold temperatures expected. Possibility of icy roads across portions of Northern California. Saturday-Monday • Moderate to heavy precipitation northern 2/3 of California. Many hydro concerns including: • Flooding along small creeks/streams • Clogged drains with inundated flat lands and agricultural areas • Debris flows and mudslides possible over burn scars • Main stem flooding for the following rivers: • Cosumnes River • Truckee River • Merced River • Feather River • Sacramento River Tuesday - Thursday • Another round of heavy precipitation with significant impacts to travel along with continued hydro issues across much of the state. Mainstem River Flooding • Forecasts below are based on current precipitation forecasts out through early Wednesday morning. Forecasts are subject to change based on changes to the precipitation forecasts. • Currently expecting mainstem river flooding at the following locations: – Truckee River @ Truckee (Major flooding forecast) – Middle Fork Feather River near Portola (Major flooding forecast) – Merced River @ Pohono Bridge (Moderate flooding forecast) Mainstem River Flooding • Currently expecting mainstem river flooding at the following locations: – Cosumnes River • @ McConnell (Minor flooding forecast) • @ Michigan Bar (Flooding forecast) – Mokelumne River @ Benson’s Ferry (Minor flooding expected) – Alameda Creek near Sunol (Minor flooding expected – Navarro River near Navarro (Minor flooding expected) – Sacramento River • @ Tehama Bridge (Minor Flooding expected) • @ Ord Ferry (Minor Flooding expected) California OES Impact Threat Matrix Jan 06, 2017 – Jan 13, 2017 DAY/THREAT FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU Fire Weather Winds Nrn & Nrn & Cntrl CA Cntrl CA Extreme Cold N.CA Snow Sierra Sierra N.
    [Show full text]
  • Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 Ordinance No. 5920
    ORDINANCE NO. 5920 AN ORDINANCEOF THE COUNCILOF THE CITi' OF SANTA BARBARA AMENDING CHAPTER 8. 04 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODEAND ADOPTING BY REFERENCETHE 2018 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIXCHAPTER 4 AND APPENDICES B, BB, C, CC, AND H OF THAT CODE, AND THE 2019 CALIFORNIAFIRE CODEWITH LOCALAMENDMENTS TO BOTH CODES. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Findings. Climatic Conditions A. The City of Santa Barbara is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures with little or no precipitation. Hot, dry winds, ("Sundowners") which may reach speeds of 60 m. p. h. or greater, are also common to the area. These climatic conditions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials. In addition, the high winds generated often cause road obstructions such as fallen trees. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire danger. This predisposes the area to large destructive fires. In addition to directly damaging or destroying buildings, these fires also disrupt utility services throughout the area. The City of Santa Barbara and adjacent front country have a history of such fires, including the 1990 Painted Cave Fire and the 1977 Sycamore Canyon Fire. In 2007, the City was impacted by the back country Zaca Fire and by the Gap fire in 2008. The Tea Fire destroyed over 150 homes within the City in November of 2008 and the Jesusita Fire destroyed homes and property in much of the Santa Barbara front country in May of 2009.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Public Information Plan Table of Contents
    Emergency Public Information Plan Table of Contents Plan Changes .............................................................................................................. Section 1: Purpose/Policies ....................................................................................... Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... Plan Review, Training ................................................................................................................... Communications Mission and Vision; County Business Plan ........................................................ Emergency Public Information Support of Emergency Operations Plan ...................................... Section 2: Definitions ................................................................................................. Section 3: Phases of the Incident; Crisis v. Incident .................................................. Notification ................................................................................................................................... Level 1 -2 – Triggering Event: Stand By/Local Emergency Response ............................................ Level 3-4 – Regional Emergency/National Emergency ................................................................. Public Information in a Crisis ........................................................................................................ Public Information in an Incident
    [Show full text]