Anonymous
Source: Eucalyptus Hill Improvement Association
EHIA has been very concerned about the canyons within the Eucalyptus Hill neighborhood as they relate to fire danger. We have worked with Santa Barbara City Fire, Santa Barbara County Fire, and Montecito Fire to have these canyons designated as areas of concern with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Due to the lack of rain this season, we are again considered to be in HIGH fire danger.
EHIA has been researching hiring goat and sheep companies to eradicate the vegetation because of their proven track record in grazing to aid in fire fuel reduction. The sheep and/or goats usually graze a two to three acre electric fenced section while being checked on by personnel to be sure they don’t overgraze, and are protected from predators by protective dogs. Then the fences and animals are moved to the next section.
The animals are quieter, cheaper, and environmentally friendlier than hand crews. This type of grazing has historically lessened the intensity of wildfires by reducing flammable ladder fuels. This type of mitigation is used by our local fire departments, as well as other departments throughout our area. The City and County of Santa Barbara and the Montecito Fire Protection District have used sheep and goats to graze various areas, including the Tea Gardens, Elings Park, Scofield Park, and the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
To begin our fire mitigation project, we are looking at the smallest canyon to secure cooperation from homeowners owning and bordering the canyon along Eucalyptus Hill Road from the Eucalyptus Hill Drive area, down along Alston Road. If we are successful in this effort, then we will look to do the same thing in the other two canyons in the Eucalyptus Hill neighborhood.
We have contracted with Cuyama Lamb, LLC to bring in sheep and goats the week of May 17, 2021, to start this process.
We are hopeful that all residents owning and bordering these areas will contribute to this effort. We also are encouraging anyone that lives in our Eucalyptus Hill neighborhood to consider contributing as well, as we are hopeful this will mitigate some of the danger that is present for all of us.
If you have any other questions regarding this project, please feel free to contact an EHIA board member.
If you’d like to make a donation toward our efforts, please click the button below. Or, you can send a check to EHIA, PO Box 40182, Santa Barbara, CA 93140. If you have any questions, you may contact us at info@eucalyptushillia.com.
This sounds like a great idea. I think hand crews will be needed in many areas to clear overgrown trees and brush the animals can’t handle. However, regular use of the animals could minimize the need for hand crews in the future. This approach needs to be expanded to clean up all the overgrown canyons, creeks, and other spaces throughout the greater Santa Barbara and goleta areas. The sooner this work can be done the better, because the fire danger is increasing with each passing day.