Goleta details fire-preparedness work, Cal Fire grant and fuel-reduction results after regional wildfires

City officials and county fire representatives used the Jan. 21 council meeting to summarize ongoing wildfire-preparedness work and to outline near-term steps residents can take to reduce risk.

Autumn Glaser, deputy director of Public Works, told the council the city has completed substantial hazardous-fuel reduction work in the Elwood and Lake Los Carneros areas: about 15 acres of heavy fuels and dead-tree removals at Elwood were completed after obtaining the required Coastal Development Permit. Staff cited a combination of funding and partners for recent work: state agencies, the California Conservation Corps, private contractors and FEMA support; roughly $750,000 of dead-tree removal was paid as part of FEMA disaster declarations over the last three years.

Public Works noted the city…