Glendale (PDF) - Hazard Mitigation Web Portal - State of California

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Natural Hazards Mitigation PlanCity of Glendale, CaliforniaSection 7 – Wildfiresspecific maintenance actions that can be undertaken by property owners in the fire hazard areasinclude:‣ Remove all dead vegetation and keep grasses and weeds maintained within 100 feet of anybuilding and within 10 feet of any roadway. These provisions are part of an amendment tothe Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance adopted in 1990. In extreme cases, clearance up to 200feet from a structure and 50 feet from a roadway may be required by the Fire Department.‣ Grasses and other vegetation located more than 30 feet from any building and less than 18inches in height may be maintained where necessary to prevent erosion. Large trees andshrubs in that area should be at least 18 feet apart.‣ Remove leafy foliage, dead wood, combustible ground cover, twigs, or branches within 3feet of the ground from mature trees located within 100 feet of any building or within 10feet of any roadway.‣ Remove dead limbs, branches, and other combustible matter from trees or other growingvegetation adjacent to or overhanging any structure.‣ Remove any portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe.‣ Trim and maintain all vegetation away from the curb line up to a height of 13.5 feet toaccommodate emergency vehicles.‣ Maintain 5 feet vertical clearance between roof surfaces and any overhanging portions oftrees.‣ Property owners in the urban-wildland interface area can request that the Fire Departmentconduct a comprehensive fire safety survey of their homes and property. The FireDepartment inspects the residences for compliance with applicable regulations, and preparesa report for use by the homeowner to reduce its fire hazard. Implementation of therecommended mitigation measures may help the homeowner obtain a reduction in the costof fire insurance.It is the philosophy of the Glendale Fire Department to prevent catastrophic brush firesthrough comprehensive code enforcement efforts and, when necessary, a rapid response ofproperly trained and equipped firefighters. Successfully preventing fires requires a partnershipbetween the community and the Glendale Fire Department to maintain the hill areas free ofhazardous brush and combustible vegetation.Prescribed Fire: As discussed previously, before modern settlement began, the areaexperienced small but frequent wildfires that impacted primarily the grasses and low-lyingbushes, without severely damaging the tree stands. As man-made structures were built in thesefire-susceptible areas, there was a strong effort to suppress fires, since these would threaten thestructures and people living there. As a result, dense stands of vegetation have accumulatedlocally in the outlying areas, while increasingly larger numbers of people have moved into theurban-wildland interface. Over time, fire suppression and increasing populations have producedthese results:o Increased losses to life, property, and resources.o Difficulty of fire suppression, increased safety problems for firefighters, and reducedproductivity by fire crews on perimeter lines.o Longer periods between recurring fires for many vegetation types by a factor of 5 ormore.o Increased volume of fuel per acre.o Increased fire intensities.2006 PAGE 7 - 21
Natural Hazards Mitigation PlanCity of Glendale, CaliforniaSection 7 – Wildfireso Increased taxpayer costs and property losses.Recognition of these problems has led to vegetation management programs such as thosedescribed above, and in some areas, prescribed fires. A prescribed fire is deliberately set undercarefully controlled and monitored conditions. The purpose is to remove brush and otherundergrowth that can fuel uncontrolled fires. Prescribed fire is used to alter, maintain or restorevegetative communities, achieve desired resource conditions, and to protect life and propertythat would be degraded by wildland fire. Prescribed fire is only accomplished through managedignition and should be supported by planning documents and appropriate environmentalanalyses.Since 1981, prescribed fire has been the primary means of fuel management in Federal and Stateowned lands. Approximately 500,000 acres — an average of 30,000 acres a year — have beentreated with prescribed fire under the vegetation management program throughout the State. Inthe past, the typical vegetation management project targeted large wildland areas. Now,increasing development pressures (with increased populations) at the urban-wildland interfaceoften preclude the use of large prescribed fires. Many still find the notion of “prescribed fire”difficult to accept since for the last 100 years or so, humans have attempted to suppress andfight fires. Prescribed fire also carries a risk, as recent experiences in New Mexico and Arizonahave shown. The Cerro Grande fire began when a prescribed burn escaped, destroying severalhundred homes in Los Alamos, New Mexico and burning more than 50,000 acres. It is likelythat this fire will lead to revisions in the guidelines for performing prescribed burns.Furthermore, a recent program review by the CDF has identified needed changes, with focus oncitizen and firefighter safety, and the creation of wildfire safety and protection zones.Prescribed fire is not presently being used in the City of Glendale to mitigate the wildland firehazard. However, the cities of Glendale and La Canada Flintridge have entered into acooperative agreement with Los Angeles County Fire Department to conduct prescribed fires inthe Descanso Gardens area. This effort will include open space areas within the City ofGlendale at the north end of the San Rafael Hills. The proposed plan has been approved by allparties involved and is ready to be implemented as soon as all conditions for a safe prescribedfire are met.Hazard Abatement Notices: Each spring, the Glendale Fire Department mails informationand hazard brush pamphlets to approximately 4,500 residences located in designated High FireHazard Areas. The purpose of this mailing is to remind and inform property owners of theirspecific responsibility to mitigate hazardous vegetation conditions. The mailing is followed-up,commencing May 1, by Fire Department fire company inspections of residences and lots toensure compliance. Fire department personnel are assigned inspection districts throughout theCity. Fire Department personnel survey the hillside areas and issue notices of violation forhazardous vegetation on an annual basis. If abatement work is not completed in a timelymanner, a ”Notice to Abate Fire Hazard” is sent and a compliance inspection is conducted 30days later. If abatement is still not satisfactory a “Notice of Intention to Abate Public Nuisance”is sent, and a final inspection made after 15 days to ensure compliance. If voluntary complianceis not achieved, the Fire Department may abate the hazardous vegetation using an approvedcontractor, and charge the owner or impose a lien on the property.At this time, per an agreement between Glendale and the County of Los Angeles, the LosAngeles County Agricultural Commissioner provides for weed abatement on non-compliantimproved properties and approximately 800 vacant lots in the City of Glendale.Legislated Construction Requirements in Fire Hazard Areas: Building constructionstandards for such items as roof coverings, fire doors, and fire resistant materials help protect2006 PAGE 7 - 22
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NOTES:This map is intended for gene
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City of GlendaleUpdateHazard Mitiga
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Similar to Safety ElementIncludesEa
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HospitalsPartnershipsWithin City an
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Impact on CityMost significant area
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