The Valley Chronicle - Wildfire Resiliency Work Takes Center Stage at Wildfire Preparedness Week Event in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara, CA – As California recognizes Wildfire Preparedness Week, May 3–9, 2026, CAL FIRE and partner agencies are hosting events across the state to highlight the importance of readiness, resilience, and community-wide wildfire safety. Today’s Wildfire Preparedness Week event in Lompoc in Santa Barbara County offered a first-hand look at proactive wildfire mitigation work and the collaborative efforts underway to make communities stronger and safer.

CAL FIRE and Santa Barbara County Fire were joined by state and federal partners to showcase a real-life example of community wildfire resilience. As the state faces the increasing threat of year‑round wildfires, this event highlighted the role of fuel reduction and shared responsibility in reducing fire risk. Attendees saw active demonstrations and learned how regional efforts are helping protect lives, property, and natural resources.

This event offered a unique opportunity for the public and media to observe ongoing fuels reduction and wildfire resilience work in Lompoc and to connect directly with the personnel leading these efforts.

“Preparedness begins at home and grows through community action,” said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler. “By highlighting real work happening on the ground, we hope to empower residents and partner organizations both here in Southern California and across the state to take steps that strengthen their own neighborhoods.”

“The more prepared our community is, the more effective our response will be. Preparedness is a force multiplier,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Garrett Huff. “The Ready, Set, Go program is at the center of that effort, reminding all of us to stay vigilant by maintaining defensible space, hardening our homes, registering for ReadySBC alerts, planning for evacuation, and supporting overall community resilience.”

Wildfire Preparedness Week emphasizes the shared responsibility of all Californians to stay ready: maintaining defensible space, preparing evacuation plans, receiving local alerts, and supporting community‑level resilience projects.

For more information on wildfire safety and preparedness, visit ReadyForWildfire.org. For media materials and preparedness resources, visit CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Preparedness Week Media Resource Hub.

Residents are also encouraged to use the free Ready for Wildfire web‑based app, which includes local alerts, customizable checklists, evacuation planning tools, and more. Access the app at: plan.readyforwildfire.org/.

Images from today’s and CAL FIRE’s other Wildfire Preparedness Week events are available on Flickr.