The Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County in the winter of 2018 was, at that time, the most destructive fire on record in California. Fed by years of drought, the fire consumed 281,893 acres and left the mountains deforested with unstable topsoil. The community of Montecito at the base of the mountains and below the Las Padres National Forest was completely evacuated for two weeks. The fire was contained right before Christmas, but not without significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. On January 8, a serious weather event threatened to cause mud slides due to the steep, rocky terrain, and the burn scarred hills. Another evacuation was ordered for the portions of the community near the burn scar. Many people, evacuation weary, decided not to leave. Already raining, the storm intensified in the early morning of January 9 with an estimated 0.5 inches of rain falling in a 5-minute period causing mud, boulders, and debris from the Santa Ynez Mountains to flow down the creeks and valleys into Montecito. These flows were up to 15 feet high and moving at a speed of 20 miles per hour. The flow caused 23 deaths, 150 people were hospitalized, 100 homes were destroyed and an additional 300 were damaged. Major roads including the main North South artery from Los Angeles to San Francisco were closed. The entire community was subsequently evacuated due to loss of power, gas and drinking water contamination.

Three weeks later residents were allowed to return to a vastly changed landscape. Familiar roads, sights and natural markers were obliterated. Although it has been 5 years, many of these painful landscape scars exist. Empty plots of land exist, where the owner was either swept away or doesn’t have the strength to rebuild. Montecito is a small town. We all pass “the triangle” daily. This junction of three roads with a planted area in the center is the hub of goings and comings in the community. It was also the sight of one of the most destructive and deadly debris flows. Homes nearby were buried in mud, lives lost. This section of road and planting is owned by the County of Santa Barbara. With the immense amount of damage in 2018 the county had many priorities taking precedence over this space. It took 2 years to rebuild roads, clear tons of boulders and install a debris basin against future events. Once the pandemic struck, all community and county work basically ceased. We are again in a dangerous cycle of weather and each winter has produced devasting floods and property destruction. Each one of these events reopens the wounds from the past.

It took 5 years for the county to repave, establish barriers and give approval for some future development. The county had no plans or money for any further planting or rehabilitation. As part of our ongoing mission to support the community, The Garden Club of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Montecito Community Foundation and the neighboring retirement community of Casa Dorinda raised funds for the completion of this planting project. The Garden Club of Santa Barbara applied for and received a Garden Club of America Restoration Initiative Grant which was a substantial contribution to the project.

A member of our club as a partner in a local landscape architecture business worked pro bono to develop a viable landscape plan. The plan includes native plantings representative of the flora of our area; seaside, chaparral, and woodland. The published planting plan serves as a guide for the community in establishing native, resilient gardens. This plan is distributed through our partnership with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the Montecito Community Foundation, and the Montecito Association. In these publications we supply a QR code to explain the history of the debris flow and how proper planting, cultivation and clearing of vulnerable areas mitigates future danger. Our club will assist with planting and ongoing maintenance. Casa Dorinda is generously supplying the irrigation needed and Montecito Community Foundation is managing the finances.

The Montecito Triangle Restoration Project, a collaborative effort between public and private entities spanning two years, aims to rejuvenate the intersection of Hot Springs and Olive Mill roads, known as "The Triangle," into a lush oasis featuring drought-tolerant native trees and plants. This initiative follows the devastation caused by the debris flow on January 9, 2018, which stripped away much of the area's vegetation, leaving behind mud and rocks. While the County of Santa Barbara undertook initial improvements such as clearing the site and installing basic infrastructure, further enhancements required additional funding.

The Garden Club of Santa Barbara played a pivotal role in coordinating the planning, design, and funding support for the project. The Montecito Community Foundation facilitated fundraising efforts and managed donations, with support from the Montecito Association, ensuring community-wide awareness and involvement in the restoration project.