Laguna Beach, CA
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The City continually seeks funding to expand the fuel break program into additional areas in an effort to provide greater fire protection for individual neighborhood and evacuation routes. The process requires obtaining grants for Coastal Development permits, and includes biological, paleontological, geological, and fire behavior studies. Once a permit is obtained, contracts are sought and obtained with a landscape contractor to conduct removal of invasive vegetation and selective thinning of native plants to reduce the vegetation by 50%. The entire process is monitored by a local environmental non-profit to ensure protection of native flora and fauna, in compliance with all state requirements.
Currently the Fire Department is starting an expansion zone behind the neighborhoods in South Laguna. The Department is also in process of doing initial studies for an expansion of the fuel break program in lower Bluebird Canyon and along Park Avenue below Hidden Valley.
For questions concerning City cleared fuel break areas, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) document, available at the link below:
For a copy of the Treatment Protocol utilized in the development of new fuel breaks, please see link below:
South Laguna Fuel Modification Project
The City of Laguna Beach Fire Department is proposing to apply fuel management practices in the South Laguna area within the City of Laguna Beach, California.
Proposal Details
Fuel breaks, consisting of approximately 100-foot zones of cleared vegetation, are proposed to be established in Fuel Modification Zone (FMZ) 20 (South Laguna) and FMZ 21 (Sunset) to provide defensible space from wildfires for the residential and other properties in the area.
FMZ 20 (click for map) primarily borders the northern portion of the South Laguna residential neighborhood, as well as the South Coast Water District office and water reservoir. FMZ 21 (click for map) is primarily located behind residential single-family homes and Mission Hospital Laguna Beach between Eagle Rock Way to the north and Vista Del Sol to the south. Vegetation within the FMZs would be removed exclusively using hand crews.
Types of Vegetation to be Cleared
Non-native invasive vegetation would be completely cleared, while sensitive native vegetation would be reduced by up to 50 percent within the FMZs. A qualified biologist would also establish exclusion areas to avoid rare plants and minimize clearance of rare native plant species.
Project Schedule
Initial vegetation clearing started in January 2022, and will be maintained in perpetuity. Vegetation removal will occur during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and federal holidays. Contract workers will be identifiable by reflective vests, helmets, brush removal tools, etc. Project staff will be reaching out to property owners directly as the work begins on their property (see project map attached).
Below is a tentative schedule of when crews will be in various neighborhoods. This schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors that may affect production rates. The schedule will be updated as needed as the project moves forward.
Neighborhood Estimated Time
Vista Del Sol Complete
Hillhaven Complete
Mission Hospital Complete
Mar Vista Complete
Eagle Rock Complete
Paseo Del Mar Complete
Valido Trail Complete
West St/ Ocean View Complete
Important Project Documents
FMZ Treatment Protocol, 8-2018
Notice of Public Hearing on 4-20-22, South Laguna
South Laguna Habitat Restoration Addendum & Plan
South Laguna / Hobo Canyon Habitat Enhancement Plan
South Laguna Project, Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
South Laguna Project Update - December 2021
Notice of Public Hearing for South Laguna Fuel Modification Project
Notice of Public Workshop for South Laguna Fuel Modification Project
Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
Initial Environmental Study - Checklist
Evaluation of Environmental Impacts
Notice of Completion and Environmental Document Transmittal
South Laguna Project Update - June 2021
Postcard sent to South Laguna Residents
Press Release, January 15, 2021 South Laguna Fuel Modification Grant Begins
Bluebird Canyon and Park Avenue Fuel Modification Project
The City of Laguna Beach Fire Department is proposing to apply fuel management practices in the Bluebird Canyon and Park Avenue areas within the City of Laguna Beach, California.
Proposal Details
Fuel Breaks, consisting of approximately 100-foot zones of thinned vegetation, are proposed to be established in Fuel Modification Zone (FMZ) 17 (Upper Bluebird Canyon) and FMZ 18 (South Bluebird Canyon) to provide defensible space from wildfires for the residential and other properties in the area.
Fuel Breaks for FMZ 22 (Park Avenue) will include 50-foot zones of thinned vegetation on either side of the roadway, providing defensible space from wildfires for the residential and other properties in the area as well as enhancing a main evacuation route for the residents of the Top of the World community.
FMZ 17 (click for map) begins on the south side of Temple Hills Dr. east of San Remo Dr., heads east to Dorn Ct., then south along Zell Dr. and Bernard Ct., ending west of Sommet Du Monde. FMZ 18 (click for map) includes three areas along Bluebird Canyon Dr.: (1) east of Summit Dr., (2) south of Bluebird Canyon Dr. and north of Rancho Laguna Rd., and (3) north of Summit Dr. and La Mirada St. FMZ 22 (click for map) extends along Park Ave., west of Hidden Valley Canyon Road, ending east of Wendt Terrace and Temple Hills Dr.
Types of Vegetation to be Cleared
Non-native invasive vegetation would be completely cleared, while sensitive vegetation would be reduced by up to 50 percent within the FMZ’s. A qualified biologist would establish exclusion areas to avoid rare plants and minimize clearance of native plant species. A qualified Archaeologist will also establish exclusion areas in areas of cultural concern.
Project Schedule
Initial clearing will begin January of 2023 due to FEMA requiring a complete NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) study. Once complete the area be maintained in perpetuity. Vegetation removal would occur during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and federal holidays.
Important Project Documents
FMZ Treatment Protocol, City of Laguna Beach, 08-2018
Notice of Public Hearing, Bluebird Canyon, May 5 2022
Bluebird & Park Ave. Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, 4-22
Response to Comments, Bluebird Canyon and Park Avenue Fuel Modification Projects
Bluebird & Park Ave. Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
Notice of Determination, Bluebird Canyon and Park Avenue Fuel Modification Projects
PUBLIC NOTICE: Bluebird Canyon and Park Avenue Fuel Modification Projects
Lower Hobo and Diamond Crestview
The City of Laguna Beach Fire Department is proposing to apply fuel management practices within the City of Laguna Beach, California.
Proposal Details
Fuel breaks, consisting of approximately 100-foot zones of reduced vegetation, are proposed to be established in FMZ 16 (Lower Hobo) (click for map) and FMZ 19 (Diamond Crestview) (click for map) to provide defensible space from wildfires for residential and public properties in the area.
FMZ 16 encompasses the canyons and hillsides abutting open space bounded roughly on the north by Nyes Place; on the west by Ashton Drive, Alexander Road, and Terry Road; on the south by Laguna Terrace North and M Street; and wraps around to the south side of K Street, ending just north of H Street.
FMZ 19 is located on the hillsides generally between single-family neighborhoods northeast of Highway 1. The north end of FMZ 19 begins west of Summit Drive and is bounded roughly by Diamond Street, Crestview Drive, Moss Street, and Glenneyre Street to the west, Catalina Street to the south, and Summit Drive, Baja Street, Hermosa Way, and Lomita Way to the east.
(Please note that these maps comprise the Study Areas and that the actual Treatment Areas will be smaller due to the various types of exclusions required by the various studies (Archaeological, Paleontological, Geotechnical exclusion zones as well as Sensitive Species Buffers)).
Types of Vegetation to be Cleared
Non-native invasive vegetation would be completely cleared, while native vegetation would be reduced by up to 50 percent within the FMZs. A qualified biologist would establish exclusion areas to avoid rare plants and provide oversight to the work crew to ensure proper clearance of native plant species. A qualified Archaeologist, Paleontologist, and Geologist will also survey the proposed treatment areas and recommend the establishment of exclusion areas and/or modifications to treatment where necessary to protect resources.
Project Schedule
The initial clearing is anticipated to begin in late 2024, assuming CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), and CDP Coastal Development Permitting are completed. The project will be maintained in perpetuity. Vegetation removal would occur during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and federal holidays.