Loma Alta Drive Hillside Recovery and Mitigation Measures Complete

The Loma Fire broke out on 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 a 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 rainy season approaching, please be aware that some level of risk of soil displacement from extreme weather events exists everywhere.   For information on developing an emergency preparedness plan, please visit the Office of Emergency Services: Prepare webpage.

Questions? Please contact Brian D’Amour, City Engineer, at BDamour@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

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.