Wildfire Risk Reduction and Resiliency: Aspen Assists City of Laguna Beach with Various Fuel Modification Projects

Fuel modification and the reduction of wildfire risk have become increasingly important in California. Since the 1950s, the City of Laguna Beach has maintained a system of fuel breaks for protection from wildfires. After the devastating wildfires in 1993, the program was expanded, and now the City currently maintains 27 fuel modification zones (FMZs) managed by goat-grazing and hand crews. Aspen has been assisting the City of Laguna Beach Fire Department (LBFD) with a series of fuel modification projects within the City of Laguna Beach (City) and unincorporated areas of Orange County, California, since 2019. 

Aspen is currently working on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Lower Hobo (FMZ 16) and Diamond Crestview (FMZ 19) Fuel Modification Project that includes two FMZs on the urban-wildland interface adjacent to residential development within the City. In accordance with the City’s Treatment Protocols for Fuel Modification Zones Subject to Coastal Development Permitting, fuel modification treatment would generally consist of vegetation removal and/or reduction within 100 feet of developed structures to reduce potential wildfire ignition, increase evacuation time for residents, and provide better access for firefighters to protect structures. Additional benefits of the project include a reduction in fire line intensity, wildfire rates of spread, improvement of occupant safety, and protection of High and Very High Value Habitat containing special-status plant species. Aspen completed biological, cultural, and paleontological studies this year, and initial fuel modification activities are expected to begin by the end of 2024.

Aspen has worked on several other fuel modification projects for the LBFD including the Fuel Breaks in FMZ 23 – Canyon Acres and FMZ 24 – Laguna Canyon: Laguna Canyon Unified Fuel Modification and Habitat Restoration Project, South Laguna Fuel Modification Project (FMZs 20 and 21), and the Bluebird Canyon (FMZs 17 and 18) and Park Avenue (FMZ 22) Fuel Modification Projects. An IS/MND was issued for each of these projects and most of the fuel modification treatments are in their final phase.