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:
Bluebird Canyon Fuel Modification Project
The City of Laguna Beach Fire Department is proposing to apply fuel management practices in the Bluebird Canyon 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.
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.
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 of FMZ 18 began February 2025 and is expected to be completed by April 2025. Initial clearing of FMZ 17 is expected to begin May 2025. Once completed the areas will 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 Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, 4-22
Response to Comments, Bluebird Canyon Fuel Modification Projects
Bluebird Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
Notice of Determination, Bluebird Canyon Fuel Modification Projects
PUBLIC NOTICE: Bluebird Canyon 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
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) has been completed, and initial clearing is anticipated to begin in mid 2026, assuming that 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.