Loma Alta Drive Hillside Recovery and Mitigation Measures Complete

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Loma Alta Drive Hillside Recovery and Mitigation Measures Complete

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The Loma Fire broke out the night of May 20, 2021 above Loma Alta Drive. The fire burned approximately nine acres, damaging multiple residences, before it was contained by fire personnel.

As a precautionary measure the past three rain seasons, the City's Public Works Department closed Loma Alta Drive between Coronel Street and Marilla Avenue. Additionally, concrete barriers were deployed immediately below the burn area on Loma Alta Drive. The previous two exceptionally wet winters did not cause significant impact to the roadway or storm drain network in this area. After more than three seasons of vegetation growth and soil stabilization, the hillside has recovered to pre-fire stormwater runoff potential. The mitigation measures were completed successfully and are no longer needed.

With the rain season approaching, please be aware that some level of risk of soil displacement from extreme weather events exist everywhere. For information on emergency preparedness, please visit: https://santabarbaraca.gov/government/departments/fire-department/office-emergency-services/prepare.

Questions? Please contact Brian D'Amour, City Engineer, at [email protected].

The image below is the Loma Alta hillside fire burn area in May 2021.

The image below is the Loma Alta hillside fire burn area in October 2024, after more than three seasons of vegetation growth and soil stabilization.