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First District Supervisor Das Williams — Fire safety, Swimming into Summer

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2024 • Comments Off

High Fire Season Has Begun

This week, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and local fire jurisdictions announced the beginning of the 2024 High Fire Season for all areas of Santa Barbara County.

This is a great reminder of steps you can take to prepare for wildfires:

Maintain Vegetation Clearance: Individuals are advised to maintain proper vegetation clearance around structures to minimize fire risks.
Review and become acquainted with the “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, which outlines crucial steps for preparedness and response in the event of a wildfire. For more details, please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Wildfire smoke and ash contain very small particles called particulate matter, which harm the lungs and heart. The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible, ideally in a well-sealed “clean air room” with an air purifier. The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) provides instructions to create a “clean air room” on their website. APCD’s website also provides countywide hourly air quality conditions. People are also encouraged to sign up for Air Quality Alerts issued during wildfires.

Bringing Back the Swim Platform

Last Friday I got the chance to take my daughter Khaya out to swim to the Miramar Swim Raft! Many of you will remember this raft from years past – it was first launched in 1917. The new raft is open to the public for all at Miramar Beach to use thanks to the work of our County Parks Division, who worked diligently to obtain State and Federal permits to bring it back. This effort took over a year and required the coordination of a half-dozen public agencies. It will be open now through Labor Day Weekend.

Keeping Up the Fight to Reduce Homelessness

I was honored to receive an award from People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), the organization that runs one of the largest homeless shelters in our region on behalf of the County and the City of Santa Barbara.

During my first year on the Santa Barbara City Council, we voted to approve the conditional use permit that PATH now holds. 20 years later, we have made much progress in housing our homeless neighbors. Just last year, we ended homelessness for 1,400 people. The bad news is, at the same time, the overall rate of homelessness increased last year, with the number of people reporting it was their first time experiencing homelessness reaching an all-time high. While we are making good progress at bringing more shelter units online, the heartbreaking fact is that due to skyrocketing rents, more and more people are newly falling into homelessness each year. And in uncertain budget times, we are at risk of losing the funding that has made these successes possible.

Now is not the time to let up on strategies that we know are working. Thank you to the dedicated homeless services staff that are helping change people’s lives. And thank you to the public for supporting real solutions to this crisis.

Summer Reading for Kids, and Adults!

Our local libraries are kicking off their Summer Reading Programs, for kids, and adults!

Santa Barbara Public Library

Join the fun at Santa Barbara Public Library’s (SBPL) Summer Reading Program for a season of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages! Kicking off on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Alameda Park and running through August 31, the program includes an out-of-this-world game board for children to track their reading, and a Summer Book Bingo card for teens and adults to win prizes. Kids can earn beads for their reading key chain or bracelet by talking to library staff about their books. The program also features special events like wildlife meet and greets, hula hoop classes, and off-site book swaps, designed to promote literacy and keep everyone engaged and entertained throughout the summer.

Upcoming Events

June 8th | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Summer Reading Kickoff at Alameda Park

Carpinteria Community Library

The Carpinteria Community Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program, “I Larv-a Good Book!”, is centered around the fascinating world of insects and their numerous benefits as vital components of the Earth’s ecosystem.

“I Larv-a Good Book” program encourages reading as a means of exploring the intricate tiny universe of insects that surrounds us. To participate in the challenges and have a chance to win wonderful prizes, register here.

Upcoming Events

June 10th | 3:30pm | Story Artist Elaine Muray

Highway 101 Community Meeting

Please join SBCAG and CalTrans for a Community Meeting on the Highway 101: Santa Barbara Phase 4E improvements

Thursday, June 6 @ 4:00 pm

Montecito Union School Auditorium

385 San Ysidro Rd

Freeway improvements will continue in Montecito and move into the Santa Barbara South segment in late summer. In the Santa Barbara South segment, new freeway lanes and on- and off-ramps will be built between Olive Mill and Hermosillo Roads. In Montecito, new freeway lanes, bridges, and on- and off-ramps are under construction. Crews will work on the northbound side starting this summer with divided lanes (see below).

Please join us for a community meeting June 6 at 4:00 pm at Montecito Union School Auditorium, 385 San Ysidro Road, to review upcoming construction and staging.

To provide space for construction, the northbound lanes will be divided by safety barriers between Hixon and Olive Mill Roads from summer 2024 to summer 2025. One northbound lane will be located on the southbound side. The northbound off-ramps will close consecutively, so drivers can use the off-ramp before or after a closure. Lanes will be the standard 12’ wide throughout the divided lane area. A similar approach will be used to construct the southbound lanes in 2025.

Learn More

Apply to Serve Our Community

Current vacancies on County District 1 Boards and Commissions: