City of Chula Vista
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Program Overview
The Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program is intended to address the City’s potential for wildfire within the wildland-urban interface and reduce the risk to life and property while fostering healthy landscapes that are resilient to wildfire.
In response to the growing wildfire threat, Chula Vista has implemented various preventive measures. The Chula Vista Fire Department, in collaboration with other City departments implement vegetation management activities and hazardous fuels reduction in the wildland-urban interface areas. The Fire Department identified a need to expand these efforts and increase the capability of fire hazard mitigation activities.
The Fire Department has established a ‘Fuels Crew’ pilot program as a proactive measure and the correct resource to mitigate this hazard. The fuels crew will be trained to perform a variety of work related to vegetation management, fuel reduction, and/or treatments which will lead to more favorable outcomes in the event of a fire.
Program Scope
The Chula Vista Fire Department Fuels Crew operates in the city of Chula Vista, California, encompassing a diverse and high-risk landscape. This area includes the communities known for their diverse terrain, including urban areas, hills, open spaces, and canyons with steep slopes and 17 linear miles that interface with structures. The southern border contains the river bottom (multi-jurisdictional), the eastern side of the city has a large and diverse WUI (multi-jurisdictional), and the central portion of the city contains numerous canyons systems.
- Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Zones: These are areas where urban development meets or intermingles with wildland areas, often characterized by an increased wildfire risk. Examples include neighborhoods near canyons and open spaces. These areas often require extensive hazardous fuel reduction efforts to create defensible spaces.
- Open Spaces and Natural Areas: The program may target nearby open spaces, parks, and natural reserves that are prone to wildfires due to the presence of dense vegetation and wildlife habitats.
- Critical Infrastructure: The program may prioritize hazardous fuels reduction around critical infrastructure, such as power lines, water supply facilities, and transportation routes, to safeguard these essential services during wildfire events.
- Community Education Zones: Certain areas may be targeted for community education and outreach efforts to raise awareness about fire-safe practices and encourage residents to create defensible spaces around their properties.
- High-Risk Fire Corridors: Identified corridors that have historically seen rapid wildfire spread or pose a significant threat to residential areas may receive special attention for fuel reduction measures.
The specific locations targeted for hazardous fuels reduction would be determined through a combination of factors, including wildfire risk assessments, historical fire data, input from local residents, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The program would prioritize areas where the reduction of flammable vegetation and the creation of defensible spaces can have the most significant impact on wildfire prevention and community safety. Additionally, the program may adjust its focus based on changing fire conditions, climate factors, and available resources to effectively manage wildfire risks in and around Chula Vista.
Timeline
The Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project conforms with the guidelines set forth in the City’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and in accordance with the general outline developed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), also known as the “Wildlife Agencies). As such, fuels reduction activities are typically permitted outside of bird breeding/nesting season, January 15 – August 15. In some cases, the City Fire Marshal may determine that an emergency situation exists, and minimal additional brush management may be undertaken inside of the breeding/nesting season.
Project Areas
Current project areas include:
- Independence Canyon
- Church Canyon
- Bonita Long Canyon
- Barons Canyon
- Flairbanks (Flair Slopes) Open Space
Project Activities
- Cut and remove brush, small trees and other hazardous vegetation using chainsaws, weed eaters, trimmers, pole saws, rakes, McLeods, Pulaskis, axe, rhinos, rogue hoe, shovels, mowers and other brush clearing tools as required
- Roadside vegetation management for emergency egress/ingress
- Implement strategic shaded and ridgetop fuel breaks.
- Weed management
- Hazardous tree removal
- Minimize excessive ladder fuels
- Restore/repair recreational opportunities of the open space