Residents want action on fire prevention

The more Christopher Toy learned about the threat of wildfires to Laguna Beach, the more convinced he became that the city must take preventative measures.

Toy recommended at the Oct. 2 council meeting that the city should create a Wildfire Prevention Task Force, backed up by a petition signed by 25 people who attended a public meeting in September on the threat of wildfires and what individuals can do to help prevent them.

“When it comes to wildfires here, we are all holding hands whether we like it or not,” the South Laguna resident said. “Since in Laguna, more often than not, we agree to disagree, we must look to the city leaders for action to assure we are all as safe from this threat as possible.

“From what I have learned about this very real threat, our fire department is ready, while most property owners, including me, are not.”

Council members echoed Toy’s concerns. Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman, a resident of Three Arch Bay, said South Laguna is in jeopardy because goats and hand crews are not permitted in some areas. She asked residents to get involved.

Some areas have not been grazed by the goats because of concerns expressed by members of the public and the California Coastal Commission, City Manager Ken Frank said. Last year, during the rampaging fires in Orange County, the city took emergency steps to permit hand crews to clear brush on privately owned property, formerly known as Driftwood Estates in South Laguna.

“The Coastal Commission didn’t like it, but they didn’t fight us,” Frank said. “And the landowner is doing it again. Fortunately they have deep pockets.”

Councilman Kelly Boyd stressed the importance of thinning trees and clearing brush for property owners and their neighbors.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman opined that invasive weeds are as dangerous as trees and called for a removal campaign.

“Pampas grass is like head lice,” Iseman said. “You have to go after it right away.”

Frank said the city has been doing just that for the past couple of weeks.

“We have abated them on public property and we have moved to private property in the public rights-of-way and that is almost completed,” Frank said.

The city is also trying to get permission from Caltrans to go into its right-of-way to clear the weeds.

But property owners share the burden, according to Mayor Jane Egly. Those who don’t take responsible precautions could be responsible for a disaster.

“It not only puts their property in danger, it puts their neighbors in danger,” Egly said.

The city will be delivering informational brochures about invasive weeds to property owners.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.