In 2019, the Montecito Fire Protection District took significant steps to address wildfire risks by updating the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This amendment was driven by key lessons learned from the devastating 2017 and 2018 fire seasons, underscoring the urgent need for proactive wildfire defense.

Key recommendations included:

• Identifying innovative structure hardening programs to enhance home defensibility.
• Developing a cost-share program to help offset costs associated with essential structural improvements and fire-resistant landscaping.

Recognizing the importance of these recommendations, the Fire Department allocated funds from the Fire Defense Zone Budget to launch the Home Hardening Assistance Program. The program represents a proactive approach to building resilience and safeguarding our residents and their properties against ongoing fire risks.

Resources & Peer-Reviewed Studies 

• Housing arrangement and vegetation factors associated with single-family home survival in the 2018 Camp Fire
• Structure Losses in the Camp Fire-A Conversation with Eric Knapp and Yana Valachovic
• Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: Near-Building Noncombustible Zone
• CA Department of Insurance: Commissioner Lara and state emergency agencies issue “Safer from Wildfires” framework to protect existing homes and communities
• The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches

The following actions are eligible under the program:

• Zone 0 Compliance: Create a non-combustible zone within 5 feet of your home to improve wildfire defense and prevent fire spread. Replace combustible mulch near the home with non-combustible materials such as gravel, pavers, or concrete. Key guidelines include:
  • Establish ember-resistant areas with non-combustible materials like gravel mulch, stones, boulders, hardscaping, cement/stone retaining walls, patios, walkways, and paths.
  • Replace combustible pergolas and decks with non-combustible materials to reduce fire risk near your home.
  • In flower beds and gardens, use rock or composted mulch as ground cover to serve as effective firebreaks for bare spaces.
  • Remove all vegetation, including overhanging branches, grass, turf, wood or rubber mulch, and any combustibles stored within 5 feet of the structure.

• Upgrading Wood Fences: Replace wood fencing with non-combustible materials, prioritizing the first 5 feet closest to the home. Using non-combustible fencing or gates where they attach to the structure reduces the risk of a burning fence igniting the home’s exterior. Non-combustible fencing materials are often available in eight-foot sections, and using the full length is recommended for optimal protection.

• Window Upgrades: Replace single-pane windows with dual-pane windows that include at least one pane of tempered glass to reduce the risk of breakage. Single-pane windows are highly vulnerable in wildfires, often shattering within 1-3 minutes of intense heat exposure, allowing flames and embers to enter the home. Dual-pane tempered glass provides greater durability and protection, serving as a crucial barrier against wildfire conditions.

• Ember-Resistant Vents: Retrofit or upgrade existing vents to ember-resistant models from the California State Fire Marshal-approved flame and ember-resistant vents list (State Fire Marshal Listed Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products Handbook) to prevent embers from entering and igniting the structure. Approved brands include Brandguard, Able Sheet Metal, O’Hagin, and Embers Out LLC. 

• Roofing Upgrades: 
  • Roof Material: An untreated wood shake or shingle roof is the greatest fire risk to a home. Replace combustible roof coverings, such as wood or cedar shingles, with Class A-rated materials like asphalt shingles, tile/cement shingles, or metal panels for superior fire resistance.
  • Bird Stops: Roof coverings like flat and barrel-shaped tiles, metal, and cement may have gaps between the roof covering and sheathing, often at the ridge and edges. These gaps allow birds and rodents to nest, bringing in flammable materials that embers can ignite. Flames from this debris can spread to structural support members, bypassing the Class A-rated protection. Plugging these gaps, known as “bird stopping,” helps prevent such ignition.
  • Gutter Guards: Wind-blown debris, such as leaves and pine needles, can accumulate on roofs and in gutters, creating a fire hazard if ignited by embers. Various commercially-available gutter guards help prevent debris buildup, allowing water to flow freely and reducing maintenance needs.

To participate in the Home Hardening Assistance Program, homeowners will begin by requesting a Defensible Space Inspection conducted by one of our Wildland Fire Specialists. Following this inspection, an individualized home assessment report will be generated specifically for each property. This detailed report will outline required, recommended, and optional measures that homeowners can undertake to enhance the fire resilience of their homes. Homeowners have the flexibility to choose retrofit options. Once the assessment is complete, the property owner may hire a contractor of their choice to carry out the selected improvements.

Upon review and approval of the submitted application, the Montecito Fire Department will issue a reimbursement check to the property owner for eligible expenses, with a maximum assistance amount of up to $10,000 from the Home Hardening Assistance Program. It's important to note that this program is available as a one-time assistance option per property. Once a property has received funding and participated in the program, it will no longer be eligible for future applications. 

Homeowner Contribution

Homeowners will cover the cost of the retrofit. The Montecito Fire Department will provide a cost-share contribution of up to a maximum of $10,000. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Location: Homeowners must reside within the Montecito Fire Protection District.
  • Reference this map to see if your property qualifies
• Ownership: Applicants must be the legal property owners of the residence located within the Montecito Fire Protection District at the time of application. 
• Participation: Applicants must be willing to participate in a Defensible Space Inspection by a Montecito Wildland Fire Specialist.

Submission Requirements: Applicants must submit a completed application detailing the retrofit actions taken, along with detailed contractor invoices for the completed work. 

Selection Process:  Applications will be reviewed during the week of March 31, 2025. Applicants will be selected and notified of their approval by April 18, 2025. 

Approval Process: To reduce structure loss and prevent wildfires from establishing in more populated areas, the program will prioritize properties based on a comprehensive evaluation of wildfire risk. Selection criteria will include proximity to wildland areas, anticipated fire behavior, historical fire occurrence on the parcel, and the structure's existing wildfire resilience. 

Reimbursement Process: If your application is approved and selected, you will need to visit Montecito Fire Station 1 at 595 San Ysidro Road to complete the Reimbursement Forms, or you may choose to submit them by mail.

You will have the option to select either direct deposit or to have a check mailed to your preferred address.

Submit Your Application 

To successfully receive reimbursement through the Home Hardening Assistance Program, homeowners must submit the following documents: 

1. Before-and-After Photographs: Clear images of the property taken before and after the completion of the retrofit work.
2. Invoice: A legible invoice that documents the work performed. This invoice must include:
   • Date of completion
   • Property address
   • Contractor's name
   • Total amount paid for the project

Submitting these documents is essential for the review and approval process, ensuring efficient and timely processing of reimbursement funds.

The Home Hardening Assistance Program will follow this timeline:

• Program Launch: The program will begin on December 1, 2024.
• Program Duration: The application window will be open from December 1, 2024, through April 1, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified by Friday, April 18, 2025.
• Annual Reopening: The program will reopen for the next fiscal year on July 1, 2025, allowing applicants to submit reimbursement applications beginning December 1, 2024.

This timeline provides homeowners with access to essential resources to improve their property’s wildfire resilience while ensuring continued support each fiscal year.