Flood protections underway in the Alisal fire zone with rain on the way

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Barely a few days after the bulk of the massive Alisal fire was stopped, Santa Barbara County Public Works crews are actively working on flood prevention in the area.

Diversion and protection efforts are underway in several canyons, especially the well populated Refugio Road area.

As of Thursday the fire was 97 percent contained.

"We start during the fire incident itself pre-planing, we get  contractors lined up," said Santa Barbara County Public Works Deputy Director of Transportation, Chris Sneddon.

Heavy equipment was on scene Friday, with a Lash Construction crew opening up areas that would be prone to flooding.

Some of the crossings on Refugio are at creek level and and substantial rain could bring the waters on to the roadway along with debris and silt from the fire zone.

"It is the only way in and out and it is very remote and  so  it is essential to prepare for that," said Sneddon.

Some of the drops in the canyon are over 2000 feet up based on the burn elevations.

The homeowners have been told that safe passage will not be guaranteed.

Track three.      A big project is not possible in a short period of time, and each area has an environmental inspection before the workers decide what can be done safely before the storm hits. 

Sneddon said at one of the first crossings, "the creek itself crosses the road six times here and above and this is actually one of our bigger crossings. We know when it rains, those will be impassible  at least during the event and probably longer in a situation like this when there will be a lot of vegetation and burn material and rocks and debris coming down."

There has also been a history of trapped drivers and residents during big storms along the Gaviota coast.

Santa Barbara County Fire says it will be prepared to respond to incidents in the canyons and on Highway 101 which could also be impacted by the fire zone runoff. The department has a water rescue team and support gear available around the clock.

"There is a high potential even if we get a moderate rain storm that these roads will be closed for a long time, " said Sneddon. He says the residents need to "do what they need to do to protect their property, to be prepared to evacuate,  to be prepared to shelter in place that's important too. Be prepared because it might be awhile."