High fire season declared in Santa Barbara County and last updated 2021-05-03 22:45:30-04 Itâs now officially high fire season for all areas of Santa Barbara County. A lack of rain is contributing to grasses drying out earlier and most of the hillsides are turning brown and yellow. âThe fuel that you see on the hillsides, at this time already, about two months ahead of schedule is able to carry fire,â Chief Mark Hartwig of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department said. With high fire season here, those in high fire danger areas like the Painted Cave community have been prepping all year.