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PUBLIC BROADCASTERS INFORMATION
WRA Membership Help support your Family: $75.00
Remit to Dean May, Treasurer
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SAN MARCOS PASS Ugo Arnoldi, Director Community Representative
THE HISTORY OF THE WRA
On August 27, 1981, approximately 50 mountain residents attended a meeting of the Wildland Residents Association as an outgrowth of rising concerns about fire and the limited services available to the mountain communities from the County and the Forest Service. From this meeting the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department was born as a Fire Company pursuant to 14825 of the California Health and Safety Code. The WRA originated about three years prior as a community response to the Sycamore Canyon fire. Later several additional local fires and arsons in the area heightened concerns as the response time from the county was 20 to 35 minutes, depending on conditions and location. Original funding came from coordination meetings with the US Forest Service and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, which resulted in a grant from the state Department of Forestry under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Rural Community Fire Protection Program. Matching funds were provided by Santa Barbara County. The first fire apparatus for San Marcos Pass VFD was a 1970's International Loadstar 1800 donated by Santa Barbara County. Under the direction of the department's first chief, Bjorne Larsen, the truck was equipped with hose and related wildland firefighting equipment. Instrumental in the first years of the department with equipment and training were Andy Rosenburger, Marshal Goddard and the staff of Alan Hancock Fire Academy. Local residents who first served on the Department include Rocky Siegel, George Hardie, Jim Waller, Robert and Edna Tenney and Dean May, among others. Today the department has one International Type-2 Engine located on West Camino Cielo and two Type-4 brush trucks, one located in the Trout Club, the other located in Rosario Park. The Department trains twice a month throughout the year with special emphasis towards wildland fire fighting and prevention. Many members are active in the California State Firefighter's Association and participate in various cross training with other agencies. Funding for the department is through donations provided to the Wildland Residents Association and grants.  EVACUATION INFORMATION When threatened by a fast moving wildfire, you should gather your family and leave immediately. Do not wait. Execute your evacuation plan. Do not panic. Keep alternate routes in mind as a backup should your primary rout become blocked. Know the location of clear or defensible areas in your immediate community if you have to flee suddenly. Time is a major factor in determining which, if any, of the following activities can be completed. In an immediately encroaching wildfire, you should grab your family and leave immediately. If time permits, you should consider the following:
Evacuation
If Highway 154 Is Impassable Know the location of clear or defensible areas on the mountain. West Camino Cielo East Camino Cielo Painted Cave If a situation exists preventing your evacuation from the area, get to one of these safe locations. Park your car heading out, leave keys in car, and windows up. Remember-your own life is more important than your most valued possessions. If you have taken all proper precautions before the fire, the odds of your property surviving a wildfire are greatly enhanced.
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Locals Night at the Tavern
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