Chief warns of wildfires

Imagine a blistering formless fire devouring forests and homes at a

rate of more than 800 feet per minute. That’s one of Laguna Beach

Fire Chief Mike Macey’s biggest fears.

With the Santa Ana wind season approaching, the threat of fires is

intensified. City fire officials are holding a series of neighborhood

meetings to spread the word about how to be safe.

In a Sept. 23 fire preparedness meeting attended by some 40

Bluebird Canyon residents, Macey spelled out the difference between

being a winner and a loser in saving your life and home.

According to Macey, wildlife preserves provide an enormous wealth

of fuel to fires.

With four stations staffed by a total of 12 firefighters on any

given day, Macey’s force is limited.

“We do not have all the solutions,” Macey admitted.

Much can be done, however, to maximize safety.

At the top of Macey’s fire prevention list is “fuel modification”

-- the removal of flammable vegetation around a property.

The city’s main line of defense in fuel modification comes from

600 to 800 goats, strategically placed to eat threatening vegetation.

At a cost of around $200,000 a year to taxpayers, Macey deems the

herd “money well spent,” though not enough.

Macey has been asked, “When will the goats come to my backyard?”

The answer is likely never -- due to lack of resources, not desire.

Macey urges homeowners to create a defensible space around their

property.

Key factors include:

* Appropriate distances between vegetation and buildings;

* class-A noncombustible roofs;

* fire hydrant access;

* side-yard access; and

* street sign and home address visibility (for the benefit of

neighboring fire departments that may be called in to help).

The guidelines are mandated for new properties and recommended for

existing ones.

By the year 2017, every home in Laguna Beach will be required by

law to have a class-A roof. Homes on the city’s historical register

will be excluded.

According to Macey, class-A roofs made of fire-retardant materials

such as clay, concrete, fiberglass and metal are clearly superior to

Class B and C roofs, typically made of wood.

If there is a fire affecting multiple homes, Macey said his force

will prioritize their efforts based upon which locations are most

defensible.

Three more neighborhood meetings are planned, all at 7:30 p.m.:

* Tuesday, Presbyterian Church, Tankersley Hall, 415 Forest Ave.,

for Top of the World residents.

* Wednesday, Fred Lang Park, 21540 Wesley Drive, for South Laguna

residents.

* Thursday, Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Ocean Ave., for

Diamond-Crestview, Dunning Drive and Alta Vista residents.

Although target audiences have been identified, the meetings are

open to all residents. To make reservations, call (949) 497-0700.

More information can be found on the Fire Department’s home page:

o7www.lagunabeachcity.net/ government/departments /firedept/.

f7QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Has enough been done to protect Laguna from wildfires? Write us at

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at

o7coastlinepilot@latimes.com f7or fax us at 494-8979. Please give

your name and tell us your home address and phone number for

verification purposes only.