The hot springs area near Prince Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home has become a major tourist attraction. Hundreds of people flock there every day, with cars and tour buses lining the narrow road leading to the hiking trail. “The last time I tried to hike (the hot springs trail), I had to park so far away that getting to the start was a challenge,” said Laura Capps, chairwoman of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

Some residents have tried to block parking by placing bushes and boulders, but the authorities have since removed these obstacles. Last May, a group of residents even tried to hire a demolition crew to destroy the hot springs, sparking controversy and concerns about security, order, and fire safety, according to the Montecito Journal.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted in March to restrict parking on days when the weather service issued a wildfire or flood warning. The reason is that the high volume of vehicles can hinder emergency services and make it difficult to evacuate in the event of an emergency. Increased human activity on high-risk days also increases the likelihood of accidental fires. A similar measure was taken in Mission Canyon in 2012, which included a parking ban and no-parking zones near trails on Red Alert days.

“This project is something we are very supportive of, and we have worked with partners from county, state and federal agencies to make the changes,” said David Neels, Montecito Fire Department representative.

Santa Barbara County has earmarked $19,000 to run the pilot program this year, including the cost of overtime pay for police officers on about 20 alert days each year. The Board of Supervisors hopes lessons learned from the project will spark broader discussions about how to handle similar situations at other popular hiking areas across the county.

Theo Express