As part of a layered approach to reducing local wildfire risk, the City of South Pasadena will facilitate the trimming of City-owned trees in the Monterey Hills area this fall.
According to the City’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone map, Monterey Hills contains areas designated as both high and very high fire hazard severity zones. Due to the terrain, fuel potential, weather patterns, and other risk-related factors, wildfires are more likely to spread rapidly in these areas. The City is implementing several efforts to help mitigate wildfire risk, protect lives, and build year-round community preparedness.
Beginning in September, the City will launch a phased tree-trimming program to remove dead, diseased, and overgrown branches. This work will help create defensible space around homes and other structures while increasing separation between vegetation and potential ignition sources. This work is intended to maintain routes of response and evacuation corridors by reducing the amount of vegetation and other combustibles. Crews will only trim City-owned trees or those located within the public rights-of-way. This will also include branches extending over sidewalks.
Street parking may be impacted while West Coast Arborists crews are working in the area. Impacted residents will be notified in advance, and tree trimming schedules will be posted on the City’s website as they become available.
In addition to tree trimming, the City’s wildfire resilience strategy incorporates other mitigation efforts such as weed abatement, targeted grazing, and emergency access improvements.
“Implementing a comprehensive, layered plan is essential to reducing risk and preparing our community for the conditions we may face,” said South Pasadena Fire Chief Greg Lloyd. “Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and when the City, residents, and our community partners work together, we are better positioned to protect lives, property, and our neighborhoods.”
Residents play an important role in reducing wildfire risk, and wildfire mitigation starts with the steps we take around our own homes. Creating and maintaining defensible space around a structure can help slow the spread of flames and embers while providing fire personnel with a safer area to work. Clearing dead vegetation, removing combustible materials, trimming trees on your property, and keeping plants properly spaced are proactive steps to protecting your home and loved ones while strengthening the safety and resilience of the entire community.
For more information about the Monterey Hills Wildfire Resilience Strategy, please visit the City website at southpasadenaca.gov/wildfire-resilience-strategy.
