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Santa Barbara County approves pilot enforcement at Hot Springs Trailhead to curb wildfire risk
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a six-month pilot directing staff to coordinate red-flag day parking restrictions, trail closures and increased sheriff enforcement at the Hot Springs Trailhead through 2025, citing wildfire danger and visitor surge driven by social media.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on March 4 authorized a pilot program to increase enforcement at the Hot Springs Trailhead on red-flag warning days through 2025, citing heightened wildfire risk and large, often nonlocal visitor volumes.
Supervisor James Lee introduced the measure and staff described it as a short-term pilot to reduce the highest-risk human-caused ignitions on days designated by fire authorities. Staff said the plan would fund overtime for sheriff's patrols and direct county staff to coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish parking restrictions and, where appropriate, trail closures.
Wade Cooper of Supervisor Lee—s office told the board the county had seen a surge of visitors since the COVID period and that narrow roads, steep terrain and strong offshore winds make the Hot Springs area especially vulnerable. The proposal assumes up to 20 red-flag or significant weather events in a year and would reallocate $25,000 from a previously reserved parking-study fund to pay for the pilot.
Board members asked staff to analyze alternatives, including use of park rangers, gates and temporary closures, and requested a comparison of enforcement approaches and their costs. Supervisor Hartman pressed for an after-action report comparing ranger-led daily monitoring versus targeted red-flag enforcement by deputies. Staff said they would return with a report, likely in six months, with operational lessons and data collected during the pilot.
Several neighbors and local emergency officials supported the proposal during public comment. Montecito Fire and other stakeholders described dangerous parking congestion, illegal fires and nighttime activity; speakers representing homeowners in Oak Creek Canyon and wildlife biologists warned the trail had become an evacuation and fire-safety hazard. Some public commenters urged more signage and longer-term solutions to limit access on high-risk days.
The board voted unanimously to approve the staff recommendations, directing the sheriff's office to implement enforcement measures once restrictions are established and asking staff to return with a status update and recommendations on any next steps.
The pilot is intended as Phase 1 of a broader, multi-phase strategy the county will evaluate for other trailheads and high-use recreation areas.
