EMPOWER Santa Barbara
Results from households across Santa Barbara County.
The survey includes 319 respondents: 151 FireWise community members and 168 non-FireWise respondents.
Respondents were predominantly older adults, and most of those answering the insurance questions reported having fire insurance. Renter representation was limited. Household and demographic measures are shown with the number of people who answered each question.
The respondents represented a broad mix of communities, but the sample leaned toward older, English-speaking homeowners. Insurance coverage was common among those who answered those questions, while renters and households without insurance were represented by much smaller numbers.
Survey response totals are presented for each community.
| Community↕ | Date awarded↕ | Survey responses↕ |
|---|---|---|
| Tecolote Canyon (Rancho Embarcadero) | January 2023 | 10 or more |
| Maria Ygnacia Creek | June 2022 | 10 or more |
| San Antonio Creek | January 2023 | 10 or more |
| Rattlesnake Canyon- Las Canoas | February 2025 | <10 |
| Northridge Rd | August 2023 | <10 |
| Santa Barbara Highlands | April 2023 | <10 |
| Painted Cave | April 2023 | <10 |
| Westwood Oaks | February 2025 | <10 |
| Eucalyptus Knolls HOA | July 2024 | <5 |
| MCA-Upper Tunnel Road | September 2022 | <5 |
| Montecito North | April 2025 | <5 |
| Sunrise Village HOA | December 2024 | <5 |
| West Camino Cielo | March 2024 | <5 |
| Jonata Springs Ranch HOA | May 2024 | <5 |
| Las Canoas, Foothill, and Tierra Cielo Lanes | March 2025 | <5 |
| San Marcos Trout Club | February 2022 | <5 |
| Winchester Commons HOA | February 2026 | <5 |
| Hollister Ranch | March 2022 | <5 |
| Las Tunas | February 2026 | <5 |
| Park Highlands | May 2026 | <5 |
| Serena Park (Ocean View Ave) | August 2025 | <5 |
| West Mesa | November 2025 | <5 |
| Cima Linda | August 2024 | <5 |
| EH-Coronada Circle | April 2024 | <5 |
| Hideaway HOA | March 2026 | <5 |
| Hope Ranch | August 2025 | <5 |
| Las Canoas-El Cielito | February 2026 | <5 |
| MCA-Arriba Way | December 2023 | <5 |
| MCA-Upper Mission Canyon Rd | April 2023 | <5 |
| Montecito South | April 2025 | <5 |
| Rancho Santa Rita Estates - Cebada | November 2022 | <5 |
| Rosario Park | December 2024 | <5 |
| Sycamore Canyon | January 2025 | <5 |
| The Bluffs (Ellwood Mesa) | February 2025 | <5 |
| Upper Toro Canyon | February 2025 | <5 |
| Via Chaparral | April 2025 | <5 |
| Vista De Santa Barbara | January 2025 | <5 |
| Alisal Ranch | August 2025 | 0 |
| Arroyo Quemada | February 2026 | 0 |
| Arroyo Verde Condos | October 2025 | 0 |
| Beachwalk Condos | August 2025 | 0 |
| Calle Communtihy (Elings Park) | April 2025 | 0 |
| Cathedral Oaks Estates | June 2025 | 0 |
| Cathedral Oaks Village Association | February 2026 | 0 |
| Cielito HOA | March 2025 | 0 |
| Coyote Circle | March 2026 | 0 |
| De La Guerra Heights | February 2026 | 0 |
| EH-Deerpath Road | July 2025 | 0 |
| El Capitan Ranchos Association | April 2025 | 0 |
| Eucalyptus Knolls Homeowners Association (EHHA) | April 2025 | 0 |
| Evergreen Terrace East | May 2026 | 0 |
| Fred's Place | January 2026 | 0 |
| Fredensborg Canyon | March 2025 | 0 |
| La Colina Oaks | July 2025 | 0 |
| La Colina Park | September 2025 | 0 |
| La Colina Village Owners Association | August 2025 | 0 |
| Las Barrancas Owners's Association | June 2025 | 0 |
| Los Robles II | October 2025 | 0 |
| MCA-Montrose Place | March 2024 | 0 |
| MCA-Tornoe Road | September 2025 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge - Riviera | March 2026 | 0 |
| Oak Trail Estates | March 2026 | 0 |
| Oak Trail Ranch HOA | April 2026 | 0 |
| Palos Verdes Dr | July 2026 | 0 |
| Patterson Oaks | October 2024 | 0 |
| Rancho Del Ciervo | July 2025 | 0 |
| Rancho La Goleta | April 2025 | 0 |
| Riviera Summit | July 2025 | 0 |
| Santiago Hills HOA | October 2025 | 0 |
| Shadow Hills HOA | December 2024 | 0 |
| Summerland Cottages HOA | February 2026 | 0 |
| The Boulders | May 2025 | 0 |
| Torito Road | May 2025 | 0 |
| Valle Verde | October 2025 | 0 |
| Village Green HOA | April 2026 | 0 |
| West Eucalyptus Hill - East APS | September 2025 | 0 |
| Woodstock Ranch | March 2025 | 0 |
Share your household and neighborhood wildfire-preparedness experiences to help inform local research, outreach, and community programs.
Back-up important documents was the most commonly reported preparedness activity (72.4%).
Housekeeping (debris removal) was the most commonly reported home-hardening or maintenance improvement (75.0%).
Perceived lifetime wildfire impact averaged 4.03 out of 5.
A local wildfire-preparedness discussion group was reported by 49.3% overall, with a substantial FireWise/non-FireWise difference.
Respondents reported a mix of completed defensible-space actions across the three zones. Vegetation management received an average perceived-effectiveness score of 4.41 out of 5.
Defensible space reduces the fuels that can carry wildfire toward a structure. The results below pair the recommended activities for each zone with the specific actions reported by survey respondents.
Zone 0 · 0–5 feet
Zone 0 activities include removing dead plant material from roofs, gutters, decks, and the ground; removing live plants and other combustible materials; removing branches that enter the zone; and using non-combustible ground covers such as gravel, stone, or pavers.
The most common maintenance schedule was Monthly or more frequently (74.0%, n=77 answering).
Zone 1 · 5–30 feet
Zone 1 activities include regular removal of dead plant material, cutting grasses and weeds to three inches or lower, watering plants, trimming low or overhanging limbs, maintaining horizontal and vertical spacing, relocating large combustible items, and maintaining clear space around propane tanks and outbuildings.
The most common maintenance schedule was Monthly or more frequently (66.7%, n=270 answering).
Zone 2 · 30–100 feet
Zone 2 activities include trimming annual grasses to four inches or lower, maintaining horizontal and vertical spacing, removing deep accumulations of dead plant material, creating bare-soil buffers around wood piles, and maintaining clear areas around propane tanks and outbuildings.
The most common maintenance schedule was Monthly or more frequently (58.3%, n=60 answering).
No single action is enough on its own. The three zones work together: Zone 0 limits combustible material next to the structure, Zone 1 interrupts the movement of flames through nearby vegetation, and Zone 2 reduces fuel continuity farther from the home. Regular maintenance is essential because vegetation and debris return over time.
Respondents rated how effective several wildfire mitigation strategies would be. The chart shows the share selecting the top two effectiveness categories.
| Zone↕ | Action↕ | Overall %↕ | Answered↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Live plants removed within 5 feet | 90.9% | 77 | 88.9% | 92.7% |
| Zone 0 | Non-combustible groundcover used | 85.7% | 77 | 80.6% | 90.2% |
| Zone 1 | Large shrub branches removed | 76.8% | 271 | 80.4% | 72.7% |
| Zone 1 | Plants watered regularly | 88.6% | 271 | 89.5% | 87.5% |
| Zone 2 | Shrub clumps horizontally separated | 40.0% | 60 | 45.2% | 34.5% |
| Zone 2 | Annual grasses trimmed below 4 inches | 88.3% | 60 | 96.8% | 79.3% |
| Zone↕ | Frequency↕ | Percent↕ | Count↕ | Answered↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Annually | 3.9% | 3 | 77 |
| Zone 0 | Monthly or more frequently | 74.0% | 57 | 77 |
| Zone 0 | Seasonally | 11.7% | 9 | 77 |
| Zone 0 | Not sure | 5.2% | 4 | 77 |
| Zone 0 | Quarterly | 5.2% | 4 | 77 |
| Zone 1 | Annually | 5.2% | 14 | 270 |
| Zone 1 | Never | 1.5% | 4 | 270 |
| Zone 1 | Monthly or more frequently | 66.7% | 180 | 270 |
| Zone 1 | Seasonally | 14.4% | 39 | 270 |
| Zone 1 | Quarterly | 8.5% | 23 | 270 |
| Zone 1 | Not sure | 3.7% | 10 | 270 |
| Zone 2 | Annually | 1.7% | 1 | 60 |
| Zone 2 | Never | 3.3% | 2 | 60 |
| Zone 2 | Monthly or more frequently | 58.3% | 35 | 60 |
| Zone 2 | Seasonally | 21.7% | 13 | 60 |
| Zone 2 | Quarterly | 13.3% | 8 | 60 |
| Zone 2 | Not sure | 1.7% | 1 | 60 |
Defensible space is one of the most effective actions homeowners can take to reduce wildfire risk, but maintaining it requires ongoing effort. Firewise communities can use these results to encourage annual cleanup days, share defensible space resources, and celebrate residents who take action. When neighbors work together, the entire community becomes more resilient to wildfire.
The three most frequently reported completed actions were Housekeeping (debris removal), Roof improvements, Signage / address numbers. Among those asked why improvements were not made, 9.2% cited financial means and 9.2% said they did not know it was a problem.
Debris removal and roof-related improvements were among the most frequently completed actions. Weather stripping around garage doors and window improvements were less common, showing that many homes may still have openings where wind-driven embers can enter.
Among respondents who explained why additional work had not been completed, financial constraints and limited awareness were recurring obstacles. 15.8% reported that the relevant work had already been completed. Because this answer applied to the home as a whole, it cannot be linked to one specific improvement.
The survey includes both routine or relatively lower-cost maintenance actions and more substantial building upgrades. Routine actions include removing accumulated debris and maintaining or sealing existing components. More substantial structural improvements include work on windows, vents, roofing, siding, and major garage-door components.
Routine maintenance actions were generally more common than several structural improvements. Weather stripping around garage doors and window improvements were among the less commonly reported actions. Assistance programs may therefore have the greatest reach when they combine clear, home-specific recommendations with financial or technical support for more resource-intensive improvements such as window replacement, ember-resistant vent upgrades, roofing, siding, and major garage-door improvements.
| Measure↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ | Higher↕ | Significant↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made ≥1 upgrade (self) | 90.8% | 94.3% | 87.8% | FireWise | No |
| Already hardened prior to ownership | 15.8% | 25.7% | 7.3% | FireWise | No |
| Hardened , self OR pre-existing (baseline-adjusted) | 90.8% | 94.3% | 87.8% | FireWise | No |
| Reason↕ | Overall %↕ | Count↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 27.6% | 21 | 31.4% | 24.4% |
| Already completed / already done | 15.8% | 12 | 25.7% | 7.3% |
| None of the above | 15.8% | 12 | 17.1% | 14.6% |
| Unnecessary (would not increase resilience) | 14.5% | 11 | 5.7% | 22.0% |
| HOA maintains exterior structures | 13.2% | 10 | 14.3% | 12.2% |
| Didn't know it was a problem | 9.2% | 7 | 8.6% | 9.8% |
| No financial means | 9.2% | 7 | 11.4% | 7.3% |
| Do not own my home | 5.3% | 4 | 0.0% | 9.8% |
| Prefer not to answer | 2.6% | 2 | 2.9% | 2.4% |
Home hardening is most effective when residents understand that every improvement helps, and that wildfire resilience doesn't stop at the property line. A hardened home is better protected when neighboring homes are also prepared. Firewise communities can encourage homeowners to start with simple, affordable upgrades, such as installing ember-resistant vents, replacing combustible mulch near the home, or maintaining roofs and gutters, while connecting residents with trusted guidance, home evaluation programs, funding opportunities, and resources for larger retrofits. By supporting residents at every stage, Firewise communities can help build safer, more resilient neighborhoods together.
FireWise respondents reported higher completion percentages for nearly every listed preparedness activity. The largest gaps involved chipper events, wildfire education, training groups, and Home Ignition Zone assessments.
Backing up important documents and making a household emergency plan were among the most common preparedness steps. More resource-intensive or organized activities, such as evacuation drills, formal training, and Home Ignition Zone assessments, were much less common.
FireWise respondents reported higher participation in most activities, especially chipper events, wildfire education, training groups, and property assessments. In the table, a checkmark simply identifies activities for which the FireWise percentage was higher.
Basic household planning is widespread, but practice-based activities remain uncommon. Expanding drills, assessments, and hands-on training may help residents turn awareness into actions they can use during an emergency.
| Activity↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ | FireWise higher↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back-up important documents | 72.4% | 88.6% | 58.5% | Higher |
| Household emergency planning | 71.1% | 80.0% | 63.4% | Higher |
| Defensible space maintenance | 59.2% | 80.0% | 41.5% | Higher |
| Emergency Go Bag & supplies | 53.9% | 60.0% | 48.8% | Higher |
| Spring 2024 chipper events | 36.8% | 62.9% | 14.6% | Higher |
| Spring 2025 chipper events | 35.5% | 57.1% | 17.1% | Higher |
| Structural hardening / retrofit | 35.5% | 42.9% | 29.3% | Higher |
| Home Ignition Zone assessment | 34.2% | 54.3% | 17.1% | Higher |
| Emergency prep/training group (CERT etc.) | 30.3% | 51.4% | 12.2% | Higher |
| 2024 wildfire education activities | 30.3% | 54.3% | 9.8% | Higher |
| Practiced community evacuation drill | 10.5% | 20.0% | 2.4% | Higher |
| Practiced household evacuation drill | 9.2% | 14.3% | 4.9% | Higher |
| None of the above | 7.9% | 0.0% | 14.6% | , |
| Activity↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ | Higher↕ | Significant↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back-up important documents | 16.0% | 19.2% | 13.1% | FireWise | No |
| Household emergency planning | 15.4% | 16.6% | 14.3% | FireWise | No |
| Defensible-space maintenance | 13.5% | 17.2% | 10.1% | FireWise | No |
| Emergency Go Bag & supplies | 12.2% | 13.2% | 11.3% | FireWise | No |
| Home Ignition Zone assessment | 7.2% | 11.3% | 3.6% | FireWise | Yes |
| Structural hardening upgrades | 7.2% | 8.6% | 6.0% | FireWise | No |
| Emergency prep/training group | 6.3% | 9.9% | 3.0% | FireWise | Yes |
Firewise respondents consistently reported higher participation in preparedness activities than non-Firewise respondents, particularly in chipper events, wildfire education, community training, and Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments. These findings highlight the value of sustained community engagement and suggest that Firewise leaders can strengthen neighborhood resilience by continuing to promote these programs and encouraging participation from all residents.
57.7% reported having evacuated from home at least once. Perceived lifetime wildfire impact averaged 4.03 on the five-point likelihood scale.
Wildfire was not an abstract concern for many respondents: more than half had evacuated their home at least once, and substantial shares had seen an active fireline or experienced property loss nearby.
Respondents generally viewed wildfire as more likely to affect their home over their lifetime than during the next year. Most also viewed neighbors as valuable prevention partners, although nearby properties can increase shared risk when vegetation and structures are not maintained.
Past wildfire experience appears to coexist with high long-term concern. Communication should therefore reinforce practical next steps,not only the seriousness of wildfire risk,while recognizing that residents depend on one another for neighborhood-level safety.
| Perception↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Partners | 84.2% | 88.6% | 80.5% |
| Worrying Partners | 52.6% | 51.4% | 53.7% |
| Information source↕ | %↕ | Count↕ |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribed alert service / app | 54.2% | 13 |
| Wireless Emergency Alerts | 37.5% | 9 |
| Internet / news website | 37.5% | 9 |
| Other | 33.3% | 8 |
| Reverse 911 call | 29.2% | 7 |
| Television announcement | 25.0% | 6 |
| Someone told you (neighbor/friend/family) | 25.0% | 6 |
| First responder (door-to-door) | 16.7% | 4 |
| Social media | 8.3% | 2 |
| Sirens | 8.3% | 2 |
| Radio announcement | 4.2% | 1 |
| Billboard / road message board | 4.2% | 1 |
| I don't know | 4.2% | 1 |
| Barrier↕ | %↕ | Count↕ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 62.5% | 15 |
| Other | 37.5% | 9 |
| Aesthetics | 29.2% | 7 |
| Lack of community support | 25.0% | 6 |
| Lack of public support | 25.0% | 6 |
| Not enough time | 20.8% | 5 |
| Access to gardening/landscaping help | 20.8% | 5 |
| Lack of community engagement | 16.7% | 4 |
| Lack of education on strategies | 16.7% | 4 |
| Low perception of risk | 12.5% | 3 |
| Lack of communication | 8.3% | 2 |
| No one else does it | 8.3% | 2 |
| Don't own my home | 8.3% | 2 |
| No opportunity to engage | 4.2% | 1 |
Many residents already recognize wildfire as a significant and personal risk, with more than half reporting that they have evacuated due to wildfire. Firewise communities can build on this awareness by helping neighbors move from concern to action through education, preparedness activities, and community-based mitigation efforts. Turning awareness into action is a key step toward building long-term wildfire resilience.
FireWise respondents were more likely to report neighborhood communication channels, social events, wildfire-preparedness groups, preparedness conversations, and helping or advising neighbors.
Everyday neighbor support was common, and many respondents reported communication through newsletters, social media, or neighborhood events. These existing relationships provide a foundation for sharing alerts, coordinating vegetation work, and checking on residents who may need assistance.
FireWise respondents were especially likely to report local preparedness groups, wildfire conversations with neighbors, and direct help or advice related to defensible space. The pattern suggests that organized community networks can make preparedness more visible and easier to act on.
Preparedness is easier when residents already know how to reach one another and have trusted local organizations. Community events and routine neighbor support can be used to connect residents with defensible-space assistance, alerts, and evacuation planning.
| Indicator↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood newsletter / social media | 52.6% | 77.1% | 31.7% |
| Communications contain preparation content | 87.5% | 96.3% | 69.2% |
| Neighborhood holds social events | 73.7% | 94.3% | 56.1% |
| Local wildfire-prep discussion group | 49.3% | 91.4% | 12.5% |
| Trust most people in neighborhood | 89.5% | 94.3% | 85.4% |
| Neighborhood has a Beacon Box | 2.7% | 5.9% | 0.0% |
| Action↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ | Higher↕ | Significant↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday help (groceries, mail, trash bins) | 86.2% | 89.7% | 83.3% | FireWise | No |
| Care (childcare, pet care, plant care) | 73.8% | 75.9% | 72.2% | FireWise | No |
| Indicator↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physically helped a neighbor (defensible space) | 16.2% | 26.5% | 7.5% |
| Helped OR advised a neighbor | 40.5% | 67.6% | 17.5% |
| Person or group↕ | Overall %↕ | FireWise %↕ | Non-FireWise %↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends / family / household | 64.9% | 82.4% | 50.0% |
| Neighbors | 54.1% | 85.3% | 27.5% |
| Local representatives (fire dept, leaders) | 36.5% | 52.9% | 22.5% |
| SB County Fire Safe Council | 27.0% | 44.1% | 12.5% |
| None of the above | 16.2% | 2.9% | 27.5% |
| Other | 6.8% | 8.8% | 5.0% |
| Prefer not to answer | 1.4% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
Communities with stronger social engagement reported higher preparedness scores. Firewise leaders may wish to prioritize neighborhood events and communication alongside vegetation management.
Sign up for Santa Barbara County emergency alerts, make a household evacuation plan, and reduce combustible material around the home. These steps work together: alerts provide time, planning supports a safer departure, and property preparation can reduce fire intensity near structures.
Santa Barbara County emergency alerts provide time-sensitive information about wildfire, evacuation warnings and orders, severe weather, and other emergencies. Every adult household member should be enrolled and should keep contact information current.
Share your household and neighborhood wildfire-preparedness experiences to help inform local research, outreach, and community programs.
Identify more than one route, decide where household members will meet, plan for anyone who may need assistance, and include pets or large animals. Keep vehicles fueled or charged and avoid waiting for the final moments to prepare.
Keep a go bag where it can be reached quickly. Customize supplies for medications, mobility needs, children, animals, work equipment, and the length of time you may be away.
Begin at the structure and work outward. Remove leaves and needles from roofs and gutters, keep the first five feet as noncombustible as possible, maintain healthy and separated vegetation, and address ladder fuels that can carry fire into tree canopies.
Embers can enter through small openings or ignite combustible materials against the home. Prioritize roofs, vents, eaves, windows, siding, decks, fences, garage doors, and gaps where wind-driven embers can collect.
Use these organizations and guides to build a household plan, understand defensible-space requirements, explore neighborhood risk, and connect with community programs.
Wildfire resilience is built through consistent action at both the household and neighborhood level. Firewise communities can help residents prepare by promoting emergency alerts, evacuation planning, home assessments, and ongoing mitigation efforts. When more neighbors take these steps together, the entire community is better prepared to respond to and recover from wildfire.
Enter the board password to open the interactive analysis portal.
Self-reported alignment with defensible-space guidance is high, but reported retrofit completion and specific defensible-space actions do not fully align with those perceptions. The gap suggests that awareness and confidence are not always translating into completed property-level mitigation.
Respondents generally rated wildfire mitigation, defensible space, and related protective strategies as effective. Where broad self-reported zone-alignment measures were available, reported alignment also tended to be favorable. In contrast, item-level results show that many specific vegetation-management actions and structural retrofits were completed by a smaller share of households.
This difference is important for program planning. Self-assessments can indicate confidence and awareness, while the action questions identify work that has actually been completed. Both should be considered, but they should not be treated as interchangeable measures of readiness.
Each point represents a zone-level average. The correlation summaries measure the respondent-level association between reported alignment with zone guidance and completion of the specific mitigation actions measured for the same zone.
Select two measures for side-by-side plots. Each panel reports the group-specific sample, effect estimate, and an appropriate FireWise versus non-FireWise statistical test.
Tests are selected from a prespecified, board-only hypothesis configuration. Ordered measures with a directional hypothesis use a one-sided Mann-Whitney U test with the alternative FireWise > non-FireWise. Binary measures with a directional hypothesis use a one-sided Fisher exact test of whether the positive response is more common among FireWise respondents. Ordered and binary measures without a directional hypothesis remain two-sided. Unordered multi-category measures use a two-sided omnibus chi-square test of the full response table..
Select an outcome to estimate its association with the number of years a FireWise community has been established. Outcomes are grouped by dashboard theme and mirror measures shown throughout the public report and the board's Explore and compare survey measures section. Community age is calculated from Date_Award to the dashboard generation date. Only dependent variables with more than 30 valid mapped FireWise respondents are included.
The coefficient is reported for one additional year that a FireWise community has been established. A positive coefficient means the selected outcome tends to be higher in longer-established communities. A negative coefficient means the selected outcome tends to be higher in newer communities. Statistical significance is evaluated at p < 0.05. The model is descriptive and should not be interpreted as causal.
| Question field↕ | Response↕ | Count↕ | % / mean↕ | Answered↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| enough_vehicles_to_evacuate_all_hh | Yes | 41 | 100.0% | 41 |
| evacuated_during_most_recent_fire | Yes | 7 | 50.0% | 14 |
| evacuated_during_most_recent_fire | No | 7 | 50.0% | 14 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | A lot | 145 | 52.7% | 275 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | Quite a bit | 72 | 26.2% | 275 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | Some | 30 | 10.9% | 275 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | A little | 16 | 5.8% | 275 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | Nothing | 11 | 4.0% | 275 |
| knowledge_how_to_signup_emergency_alerts | Prefer not to answer | 1 | 0.4% | 275 |
| most_recent_fire_received_mandatory_evacuation_order | Yes | 110 | 54.7% | 201 |
| most_recent_fire_received_mandatory_evacuation_order | No | 91 | 45.3% | 201 |
| most_recent_fire_received_voluntary_evacuation_order | Yes | 151 | 75.1% | 201 |
| most_recent_fire_received_voluntary_evacuation_order | No | 50 | 24.9% | 201 |
| num_animals_by_type | Dogs or Cats (please enter the number below),Small pets (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc),Large animals (horses, farm animals, etc) | 21 | 65.6% | 32 |
| num_animals_by_type | Dogs or Cats (please enter the number below) | 8 | 25.0% | 32 |
| num_animals_by_type | Dogs or Cats (please enter the number below),Small pets (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc) | 2 | 6.2% | 32 |
| num_animals_by_type | Dogs or Cats (please enter the number below),Large animals (horses, farm animals, etc) | 1 | 3.1% | 32 |
| num_hh_members_unable_to_self_evacuate | 0.0 | 36 | 87.8% | 41 |
| num_hh_members_unable_to_self_evacuate | 1.0 | 2 | 4.9% | 41 |
| num_hh_members_unable_to_self_evacuate | 2.0 | 2 | 4.9% | 41 |
| num_hh_members_unable_to_self_evacuate | 3.0 | 1 | 2.4% | 41 |
| num_largeanimals | 0.0 | 20 | 90.9% | 22 |
| num_largeanimals | 1.0 | 2 | 9.1% | 22 |
| num_smallpets | 0.0 | 20 | 87.0% | 23 |
| num_smallpets | 1.0 | 1 | 4.3% | 23 |
| num_smallpets | 3.0 | 1 | 4.3% | 23 |
| num_smallpets | 4.0 | 1 | 4.3% | 23 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 2 | 49 | 25.9% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 1 | 38 | 20.1% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 0 | 36 | 19.0% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 3 | 23 | 12.2% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 4 | 22 | 11.6% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 5 | 13 | 6.9% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 6 | 3 | 1.6% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuated_from_current_home | 8 | 2 | 1.1% | 189 |
| num_times_evacuatedfrommyhome | Mean (numeric) | 184 | 13.7% | 191 |
| perceived_effectiveness_emergency_alerts | Very effective | 29 | 38.2% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_emergency_alerts | Extremely effective | 24 | 31.6% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_emergency_alerts | Moderately effective | 19 | 25.0% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_emergency_alerts | Slightly effective | 3 | 3.9% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_emergency_alerts | Not effective at all | 1 | 1.3% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_evacuation_planning | Extremely effective | 30 | 39.5% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_evacuation_planning | Very effective | 27 | 35.5% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_evacuation_planning | Moderately effective | 15 | 19.7% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_evacuation_planning | Slightly effective | 3 | 3.9% | 76 |
| perceived_effectiveness_evacuation_planning | Not effective at all | 1 | 1.3% | 76 |
| figure↕ | category↕ | fw_value↕ | nonfw_value↕ | diff_fw_minus_nonfw↕ | p_value↕ | significant↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Spring 2024 chipper events | 62.9 | 14.6 | 48.3 | 0.0 | Higher |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Evacuated from home | 73.5 | 43.5 | 30.0 | 0.0 | Higher |
| risk_concern_means.png | Property damage | 78.0 | 51.5 | 26.5 | 0.0 | Higher |
| community_infrastructure.png | Local wildfire-prep discussion group | 91.4 | 12.5 | 78.9 | 0.0 | Higher |
| community_discussed_with.png | Neighbors | 85.3 | 27.5 | 57.8 | 0.0 | Higher |
| community_helped_neighbor.png | Helped OR advised a neighbor | 67.6 | 17.5 | 50.1 | 0.0 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | 2024 wildfire education activities | 54.3 | 9.8 | 44.5 | 0.0001 | Higher |
| community_infrastructure.png | Neighborhood newsletter / social media | 77.1 | 31.7 | 45.4 | 0.0002 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Emergency prep/training group (CERT etc.) | 51.4 | 12.2 | 39.2 | 0.0005 | Higher |
| community_infrastructure.png | Neighborhood holds social events | 94.3 | 56.1 | 38.2 | 0.0005 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Spring 2025 chipper events | 57.1 | 17.1 | 40.0 | 0.0007 | Higher |
| risk_likelihood.png | Impact home in lifetime | 91.4 | 56.1 | 35.3 | 0.0007 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Defensible space maintenance | 80.0 | 41.5 | 38.5 | 0.0015 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Home Ignition Zone assessment | 54.3 | 17.1 | 37.2 | 0.0015 | Higher |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Seen an active fireline | 69.5 | 51.8 | 17.7 | 0.0018 | Higher |
| risk_concern_means.png | Economic loss | 46.8 | 29.9 | 16.9 | 0.0048 | Higher |
| community_discussed_with.png | SB County Fire Safe Council | 44.1 | 12.5 | 31.6 | 0.0053 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Back-up important documents | 88.6 | 58.5 | 30.1 | 0.0078 | Higher |
| community_discussed_with.png | Friends / family / household | 82.4 | 50.0 | 32.4 | 0.0078 | Higher |
| risk_concern_means.png | Physical injury | 31.9 | 21.6 | 10.3 | 0.0104 | Higher |
| community_discussed_with.png | None of the above | 2.9 | 27.5 | -24.6 | 0.0111 | Higher |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Property destroyed (own) | 23.8 | 12.5 | 11.3 | 0.0126 | Higher |
| community_discussed_with.png | Local representatives (fire dept, leaders) | 52.9 | 22.5 | 30.4 | 0.0136 | Higher |
| preparedness_activities.png | Home Ignition Zone assessment | 11.3 | 3.6 | 7.7 | 0.015 | Higher |
| preparedness_activities.png | Emergency prep/training group | 9.9 | 3.0 | 6.9 | 0.0199 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Practiced community evacuation drill | 20.0 | 2.4 | 17.6 | 0.0209 | Higher |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Evacuation planning | 85.7 | 65.9 | 19.8 | 0.0226 | Higher |
| risk_info_sources.png | Reverse 911 call | 54.5 | 7.7 | 46.8 | 0.0233 | Higher |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Community coordination | 82.9 | 63.4 | 19.5 | 0.0243 | Higher |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | None of the above | 0.0 | 14.6 | -14.6 | 0.028 | Higher |
| community_infrastructure.png | Communications contain preparation content | 96.3 | 69.2 | 27.1 | 0.0313 | Higher |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Other | 57.1 | 10.0 | 47.1 | 0.0333 | Higher |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Property destroyed (neighborhood) | 29.8 | 19.0 | 10.8 | 0.0349 | Higher |
| risk_likelihood.png | Impact home in next year | 42.9 | 24.4 | 18.5 | 0.0395 | Higher |
| overview_kpis.png | Uses gardener/landscaper | 80.6 | 56.1 | 24.5 | 0.0411 | Higher |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 2: Annual grasses trimmed below 4 inches | 96.8 | 79.3 | 17.5 | 0.049 | Higher |
| community_helped_neighbor.png | Physically helped a neighbor (defensible space) | 26.5 | 7.5 | 19.0 | 0.0588 | , |
| hardening_baseline_adjusted.png | Already hardened prior to ownership | 25.7 | 7.3 | 18.4 | 0.0606 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Already completed / already done | 25.7 | 7.3 | 18.4 | 0.0606 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Housekeeping (debris removal) | 85.7 | 65.9 | 19.8 | 0.0841 | , |
| preparedness_activities.png | Defensible-space maintenance | 17.2 | 10.1 | 7.1 | 0.0911 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Unnecessary (would not increase resilience) | 5.7 | 22.0 | -16.3 | 0.0933 | , |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Vegetation management | 85.7 | 87.8 | -2.1 | 0.1026 | , |
| hardening_awareness.png | Aware of pre-fire-season deadline | 88.6 | 70.7 | 17.9 | 0.1054 | , |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Creating defensible space | 80.0 | 68.3 | 11.7 | 0.1146 | , |
| overview_kpis.png | Renters | 0.0 | 10.0 | -10.0 | 0.1197 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Do not own my home | 0.0 | 9.8 | -9.8 | 0.1197 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Not enough time | 7.1 | 40.0 | -32.9 | 0.1222 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Weather stripping (garage doors) | 34.3 | 17.1 | 17.2 | 0.1439 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | No one else does it | 0.0 | 20.0 | -20.0 | 0.163 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Don't own my home | 0.0 | 20.0 | -20.0 | 0.163 | , |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 1: Large shrub branches removed | 80.4 | 72.7 | 7.7 | 0.1718 | , |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Emergency alerts | 77.1 | 63.4 | 13.7 | 0.1743 | , |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Household emergency planning | 80.0 | 63.4 | 16.6 | 0.1818 | , |
| preparedness_activities.png | Back-up important documents | 19.2 | 13.1 | 6.1 | 0.1823 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Wireless Emergency Alerts | 54.5 | 23.1 | 31.4 | 0.206 | , |
| community_infrastructure.png | Neighborhood has a Beacon Box | 5.9 | 0.0 | 5.9 | 0.2077 | , |
| defensible_perceived_effectiveness.png | Hardening the home | 55.9 | 43.9 | 12.0 | 0.2173 | , |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Practiced household evacuation drill | 14.3 | 4.9 | 9.4 | 0.2375 | , |
| community_infrastructure.png | Trust most people in neighborhood | 94.3 | 85.4 | 8.9 | 0.2751 | , |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Structural hardening / retrofit | 42.9 | 29.3 | 13.6 | 0.3205 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Deck improvements | 25.7 | 14.6 | 11.1 | 0.3573 | , |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 0: Non-combustible groundcover used | 80.6 | 90.2 | -9.6 | 0.3757 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Cost | 71.4 | 50.0 | 21.4 | 0.4028 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | No opportunity to engage | 0.0 | 10.0 | -10.0 | 0.4167 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | Clear vegetation overhead & beside roads | 52.4 | 35.0 | 17.4 | 0.4201 | , |
| hardening_baseline_adjusted.png | Made ≥1 upgrade (self) | 94.3 | 87.8 | 6.5 | 0.4415 | , |
| hardening_baseline_adjusted.png | Hardened , self OR pre-existing (baseline-adjusted) | 94.3 | 87.8 | 6.5 | 0.4415 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | Clear understory near trees/large shrubs | 66.7 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 0.4439 | , |
| preparedness_completed_multiselect.png | Emergency Go Bag & supplies | 60.0 | 48.8 | 11.2 | 0.4549 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | I don't know | 9.1 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 0.4583 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Social media | 0.0 | 15.4 | -15.4 | 0.4819 | , |
| preparedness_activities.png | Structural hardening upgrades | 8.6 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 0.4844 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Exterior wall / siding | 34.3 | 24.4 | 9.9 | 0.4874 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | HOA maintains exterior structures | 0.0 | 5.0 | -5.0 | 0.4878 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | None of the above | 0.0 | 5.0 | -5.0 | 0.4878 | , |
| risk_neighbor_perceptions.png | Good Partners | 88.6 | 80.5 | 8.1 | 0.5172 | , |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 2: Shrub clumps horizontally separated | 45.2 | 34.5 | 10.7 | 0.5619 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | First responder (door-to-door) | 9.1 | 23.1 | -14.0 | 0.5963 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Lack of community engagement | 21.4 | 10.0 | 11.4 | 0.6146 | , |
| hardening_awareness.png | Trees trimmed in last 5 yrs | 97.1 | 92.5 | 4.6 | 0.6197 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Television announcement | 18.2 | 30.8 | -12.6 | 0.6494 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Someone told you (neighbor/friend/family) | 18.2 | 30.8 | -12.6 | 0.6494 | , |
| community_discussed_with.png | Other | 8.8 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 0.6559 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | Other | 19.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 0.6628 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Lack of community support | 21.4 | 30.0 | -8.6 | 0.6653 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Lack of public support | 21.4 | 30.0 | -8.6 | 0.6653 | , |
| risk_concern_means.png | Poor air quality | 21.7 | 20.5 | 1.2 | 0.666 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Other | 31.4 | 24.4 | 7.0 | 0.6697 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Other | 27.3 | 38.5 | -11.2 | 0.6792 | , |
| preparedness_activities.png | Household emergency planning | 16.6 | 14.3 | 2.3 | 0.6847 | , |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Lasting health effects | 1.3 | 2.4 | -1.1 | 0.6872 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | No financial means | 11.4 | 7.3 | 4.1 | 0.6968 | , |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 0: Live plants removed within 5 feet | 88.9 | 92.7 | -3.8 | 0.6993 | , |
| community_favors.png | Everyday help (groceries, mail, trash bins) | 89.7 | 83.3 | 6.4 | 0.7199 | , |
| preparedness_activities.png | Emergency Go Bag & supplies | 13.2 | 11.3 | 1.9 | 0.722 | , |
| defensible_zone_actions.png | Zone 1: Plants watered regularly | 89.5 | 87.5 | 2.0 | 0.7429 | , |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Heard about wildfire from others | 47.7 | 46.4 | 1.3 | 0.9111 | , |
| community_favors.png | Care (childcare, pet care, plant care) | 75.9 | 72.2 | 3.7 | 0.9617 | , |
| risk_experience_aggregate.png | Negative health effects | 15.9 | 16.7 | -0.8 | 0.9723 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Enclosing eaves | 20.0 | 17.1 | 2.9 | 0.9751 | , |
| overview_age.png | mean age (bracket midpoints) | 61.8 | 60.5 | 1.3 | 0.9917 | , |
| overview_kpis.png | Has fire insurance | 96.2 | 93.1 | 3.1 | 1.0 | , |
| overview_kpis.png | Comfortable in English | 100.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | Thin shrubs 10ft from road/driveway | 52.4 | 55.0 | -2.6 | 1.0 | , |
| defensible_vegetation_activities.png | No maintenance necessary | 9.5 | 10.0 | -0.5 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Roof improvements | 45.7 | 43.9 | 1.8 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Signage / address numbers | 45.7 | 43.9 | 1.8 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Vent improvements (ember-resistant) | 42.9 | 41.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_upgrades_made.png | Window improvements | 42.9 | 41.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | None of the above | 17.1 | 14.6 | 2.5 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | HOA maintains exterior structures | 14.3 | 12.2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Didn't know it was a problem | 8.6 | 9.8 | -1.2 | 1.0 | , |
| hardening_reasons_not_made.png | Prefer not to answer | 2.9 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_neighbor_perceptions.png | Worrying Partners | 51.4 | 53.7 | -2.3 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Subscribed alert service / app | 54.5 | 53.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Internet / news website | 36.4 | 38.5 | -2.1 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Sirens | 9.1 | 7.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Radio announcement | 0.0 | 7.7 | -7.7 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_info_sources.png | Billboard / road message board | 0.0 | 7.7 | -7.7 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Aesthetics | 28.6 | 30.0 | -1.4 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Access to gardening/landscaping help | 21.4 | 20.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Lack of education on strategies | 14.3 | 20.0 | -5.7 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Low perception of risk | 14.3 | 10.0 | 4.3 | 1.0 | , |
| risk_barriers_to_mitigation.png | Lack of communication | 7.1 | 10.0 | -2.9 | 1.0 | , |
| community_discussed_with.png | Prefer not to answer | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 | 1.0 | , |