Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Presents “Ready for Wildfire | Smart Strategies for Fire-Safe Living”  

FREE virtual forum in collaboration with Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, and Allen Construction aims to prepare homes, landscapes, and neighborhoods for the next wildfire 

Santa Barbara, Calif., May 28, 2025 – As wildfires become a more frequent and destructive part of life in California, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden continues to lead with science-based, community-centered solutions. On Monday, July 22 at 6 p.m., the Garden will host “Ready for Wildfire | Smart Strategies for Fire-Safe Living,” a free, virtual fire resilience forum to equip residents with the tools they need to prepare their homes, landscapes, and neighborhoods for wildfire. This event is a natural extension of the Garden’s mission-driven work, bringing together experts from across the county to share practical, actionable strategies for building a fire-adapted future. 

“As fire seasons grow longer and more intense, it’s critical that we work together to prepare, not just react,” shared Steve Windhager, executive director of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “This forum is focused on empowering people with knowledge – grounded in science and collaboration – that can make a difference. At the Garden, we see this as part of our mission to help both nature and people thrive.” 

Facilitated by Garden staff, the forum reflects a shared effort among government agencies, nonprofit partners, and private-sector leaders. Speakers include the Garden’s Executive Director Steve Windhager Ph.D., Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps, Supervising Captain Chris Olmstead from Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Vice President Matthew Caligiure from Allen Construction, Executive Director Anne-Marie Parkinson from Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, and others. Each organization brings unique, vital knowledge to the conversation, from policy and emergency response to practical steps for firewise landscaping and home hardening. Together, these voices highlight the power of collaboration in building a more resilient region. Live Spanish interpretation will be provided, and the forum will also be recorded and available on the Garden’s website as a free resource to the public. 

Key Topics Will Include: 

• How Santa Barbara County is preparing for wildfire 

• What fire crews prioritize when entering a burning neighborhood 

• How to harden (fireproof) your home against flames and embers 

• Landscaping with native, water-wise plants to reduce risk 

• Community resources for renters, homeowners, and neighborhood groups 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be found at https://sbbotanicgarden.org/classes-events/ready-for-wildfire-smart-strategies-for-fire-safe-living/