Proposed City Council Resolution
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA,
SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, AND INTERAGENCY ACTION TO
ALLOW THE REMOVAL, REDUCTION, OR MODIFICATION OF DEAD VEGETATION
AND HAZARDOUS FUELS WITHIN PRESERVES, OPEN SPACE, HABITAT AREAS,
AND WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREAS WHEN NECESSARY TO PROTECT
LIFE, PROPERTY, EVACUATION ROUTES, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, NATURAL
RESOURCES, AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY FROM WILDFIRE
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad contains extensive open space, preserve lands, habitat areas, canyon systems, slopes, trail systems, and vegetation corridors that contribute to the City’s environmental quality and community character; and
WHEREAS, many of these areas are located immediately adjacent to residential neighborhoods, schools, public facilities, evacuation routes, utilities, roadways, and other critical infrastructure, creating significant wildland-urban interface conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment identifies increased wildfire risk within Carlsbad, including increased vegetation and fuel loading, expanded Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas, and conditions where wildfire could rapidly transition from open space into developed neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the accumulation of dead vegetation, excessive fuel loading, hazardous trees, invasive plants, and unmanaged combustible material within preserves, open space, and habitat areas can increase fire intensity, ember production, rate of spread, direct flame contact, radiant heat exposure, and risk to nearby communities; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment recognizes that restrictions on vegetation management within preserve lands have constrained the City’s ability to reduce wildfire hazards adjacent to development, contributing to elevated risk conditions in many areas; and WHEREAS, the City’s Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment recommends increasing vegetation management, conducting and maintaining fuel reduction around critical infrastructure, major roadways, high-risk communities, and evacuation routes, expanding fuel modification zones where existing buffers are insufficient, and addressing limitations of the Habitat Management Plan that impede vegetation management intended to improve public safety; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment further recommends that, as part of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the City develop a Fire Management Plan to identify fuel reduction zones within conserved lands and ensure that fire management guidelines are consistent with current accepted fire management mandates; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Open Space Management Plan and related preserve management framework should be implemented in a manner that protects sensitive habitat and natural resources while also allowing timely, responsible, and professionally guided wildfire risk reduction where hazardous fuels threaten adjacent communities; and
WHEREAS, carefully planned vegetation management, including removal, reduction, or modification of dead vegetation and hazardous fuels, can reduce wildfire risk while also helping protect habitat and natural resources from the far greater damage caused by uncontrolled wildfire; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of protecting sensitive habitat, wildlife, and natural resources while also fulfilling its responsibility to protect life, property, public safety, evacuation routes, critical
infrastructure, and firefighter safety; and
WHEREAS, the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding among federal and state wildlife agencies, CAL FIRE, the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Fire Districts Association of San Diego County recognized the need for fire agencies and local jurisdictions to continue requiring flammable vegetation abatement in order to protect life, property, and the environment from the threat of fire, while coordinating with wildlife agencies to minimize impacts to sensitive species and habitats; and WHEREAS, the 1997 MOU also recognizes that later specific agreements with state or federal wildlife agencies may govern vegetation removal, demonstrating the need for updated interagency clarification that reflects current wildfire risk, current fire science, and current community safety needs; and WHEREAS, no lesser report, management guideline, local plan, or non-binding agreement should be interpreted or applied in a manner that prevents the City, Fire Chief, or appropriate fire authority from addressing hazardous fuel conditions that create a significant threat to life safety, property, evacuation routes, critical infrastructure, natural resources, or firefighter safety; and WHEREAS, where conflicts exist among existing habitat, open space, preserve, or vegetation management requirements, the City Council supports pursuing legislative, regulatory, and interagency clarification to ensure that wildfire prevention, life safety, and responsible habitat protection can be implemented together; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to support legislative, regulatory, and interagency solutions that allow local fire officials to require timely vegetation management when necessary to reduce wildfire threats to communities, public safety, firefighters, evacuation routes, critical infrastructure, and natural resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution.
2. The City Council supports legislative, regulatory, and interagency changes that expressly allow the removal, reduction, or modification of dead vegetation and hazardous fuels within preserves, open space, habitat areas, and wildland-urban interface areas when such work is determined necessary by the Fire Chief or appropriate fire authority to protect life, property, evacuation routes, critical infrastructure, natural resources, and firefighter safety.
3. The City Council requests that state legislators, federal representatives, CAL FIRE, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other relevant agencies work with the City and regional fire agencies to clarify and modernize existing rules, agreements, and management requirements that may impede necessary wildfire fuel reduction.
4. The City Council supports recognition of a clear public safety process within habitat management plans, open space management plans, preserve management plans, and related documents to allow timely removal, reduction, or modification of dead vegetation and hazardous fuels when recommended by the Fire Chief or appropriate fire authority.
5. The City Council directs staff to evaluate, as part of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan process, specific preserve, open space, canyon, slope, roadway, trail, and habitat areas where dead vegetation, excessive fuel loading, hazardous trees, invasive plants, or insufficient fuel modification buffers create elevated wildfire risk to adjacent communities.
6. The City Council requests that staff prepare a legislative platform item or formal legislative request seeking state and federal clarification that public safety wildfire mitigation authority shall not be unreasonably delayed or denied when hazardous fuels create a significant wildfire threat.
7. The City Council supports use of appropriate environmental review, best management practices, agency coordination, maintenance cycles, and feasible CEQA streamlining tools when planning and implementing vegetation management projects intended to reduce wildfire risk.
8. The City Council supports continued coordination with regional fire agencies, CAL FIRE, resource agencies, land managers, homeowner associations, Firewise communities, and residents to develop responsible vegetation management strategies that reduce wildfire risk while protecting sensitive habitat and natural resources.
9. The City Council directs that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the City’s state and federal legislative representatives, CAL FIRE, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the County of San Diego, and appropriate regional fire and land management partners.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the ____ day of __________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:<br/>NOES:<br/>ABSENT:<br/>ABSTAIN:
________________________________<br/>Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________<br/>City Clerk
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE OF
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTufENT OF THE INTERIOR,
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME,
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY,
THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION AND
THE FIRE DISTRICT'S ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
A. INTRODUCTION
Many species of plants and wildlife in the County of San Diego have been listed and continue to be listed as threatened or endangered by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act and by the California Fish and Game Commission pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act. Additionally, many listed and species that may be listed in the future are protected in certain areas by agreements among jurisdictions and the wildlife agencies, pursuant to the state of California's Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP) program. In light of these listings, officials of the California Department of Forestry, and the members of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire Districts Association of San Diego County have expressed concerns regarding their ability to continue to require the abatement of flammable vegetation within their respective jurisdictions in order to protect life, property and the environment from the threat of fire.
B. AUTHORITIES
This Memorandum of Understanding is hereby made and entered into by and between the California Department of Forestry, hereinafter referred to as "CDF"; the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, hereinafter referred to as the "Fire Chiefs"; the Fire District Association of San Diego County, hereinafter referred to as the "Districts"; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, hereinafter referred to as the "Service"; and the California Department of Fish and Game, hereinafter referred to as "Department" under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et. seq.) the Fish and Game Code Section 702 and the California Endangered Species Act, as amended (Fish and Game Code Section 2050, et. seq.).
C. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish guidelines by which the CDF, Fire Chiefs and the Districts can continue to protect lives and property from the threat of fire by requiring the abatement of flammable vegetation pursuant to State Law, County and District ordinances and Cities' municipal codes and to establish a cooperative mechanism whereby the Service and Department may assess, minimize, and help account for potential adverse impacts to sensitive species and habitats resulting from vegetation abatement activities. 2 D. RECITALS
1. Fire Districts are responsible for assuring compliance with applicable pro.visions of their ordinances, the California Health and Safety Code and the California Public Resources Code sections 4290 & 4291 regarding the abatement of flammable vegetation.
2. Fire Departments of the Cities are responsible for assuring compli nce with the Government Code and applicable provisions of their municipal codes regarding the abatement of flammable vegetation.
3. CDF is responsible for assuring compliance with applicable provisions of the California Public Resources Code sections 4290 & 4291 regarding the abatement of flammable vegetation.
4. The Service is responsible for enforcing the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
5. The Department is responsible for enforcing the California Endangered Species Act, and the Native Plant Protection Act. The Service and Department together administer the state NCCP program (NCCP Act of 1991.)
6. Areas immediately surrounding improvements to real property, whether such areas are undeveloped wildlands or are altered in some way, do not generally constitute core natural habitat areas, nor do they typically support sensitive species, by virtue of their proximity to human activities.
7. Uncontrolled wildfires pose a serious threat to human lives and property, but are generally part of the natural disturbance cycle of adjacent wildlands. The propensity of wildlands to carry fire to human developments usually necessitate the provision of fuel breaks in order to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of damage to property.
8. Properly maintained fuel modification zones and fire breaks will reduce the incidence of non-Natural fires spreading from developed areas to natural land and lower the potential impacts of unseasonable and :frequent wildfires to listed species and their habitats." NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:
Section I. General Terms and Conditions:
This MOU authorizes the take of species listed as threatened or endangered, or candidate species (under Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code) for management purposes necessitated by or incidental to those certain fire protection measures described herein.
The management purposes for which this MOU is issued are:
1. Mandatory fire protection measures in accordance with Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code, specifically:
3 (a) Measures necessary to implement minimum fire safety standards related to defensible space which are applicable to state responsibility are lands under the authority of CDF.
(b) Measures necessary to implement minimum safety standards related to fuel breaks and greenbelts.
(c) Other measures required by Section 4290 as determined by the Director of CDF.
2. Mandatory fire protection measures in accordance with Section 4291 of the Public Resource Code, specifically:
(a) The maintenance around and adjacent to any building or structure in, upon, or adjoining any mountainous area or forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, or grass- covered lands, or any land which is covered with flammable material, of a fire brea...1< made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 30 feet on each side of such building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or combustible growth.
(b) The maintenance around and adjacent to any building or structure such as is described in (a) above, additional fire protection or fire break made by removing all brush, flammable vegetation, or combustible growth which is located from 30 feet to 100 feet from such a building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, as may be required by the Director of Forestry and Fire Prevention upon a finding that, because of extra hazardous conditions, a firebreak of only 30 feet around such building or structure is not sufficient to provide reasonable fire safety, and including the maintenance of grass and other vegetation more than 30 feet from such building or structure and less than 18 inches in height where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
3. Mandatory fire protection measures in accordance with Section 4296.5 of Public Resource Code, specifically, upon order of the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection or the agency having primary responsibility for the fire protection of the area, the destruction, removal, or modification so as not to be flammable, of any vegetation or other flammable material on any railroad right-of-way on forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land.
4. Any measures as deemed necessary by the Fire Chief and in accordance with the Guideline section of this MOU.
4 Section II. GUIDELINE
The following guidelines may be implemented by individuals or entities owning or leasing property within the jurisdiction of the County and the Cities as well as by CDF, Fire Districts, and the Cities:
a. Improyed Property. Property owners, their lessees, CDF, fire districts, and cities shall be permitted to clear all flammable vegetation within a one hundred (100) foot radius of all structures1 using methods, such as mowing and trimming that leave the plant root structure intact to stabilize the soil. Clearing is not limited to these methods and discing, which exposes bare mineral soil, may be used if deemed necessary by the local fire chief. Where the distance from the structure to the property line of the parcel on which the structure is located is less than the distance required to be cleared, the adjacent owner, lessee, CDF, fire districts, or cities shall be permitted to establish the required fuel break. The removal of flammable vegetation does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants which are used as ground cover, if the Chief of the local fire department determines that they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structures.
b. Unimproved Property. Property owners, their lessees, fire districts and cities shall be permitted to establish fuel breaks on unimproved property if such a fire break is deemed necessary based on written findings by the Chief of the local fire department to protect improved property, or public safety and welfare. The Chief of the local fire department shall deem such a fuel break necessary only if the subject property is located within an unusually high fuel loading area or within a high or very high hazard area as determined by California Department of Forestry Fire Severity Mapping. These findings shall be provided to the Department and Service upon their adoption by the Chief of the Fire Department at least ten (10) days prior to the issuance of abatement orders. If the Department of Service fail to respond within the ten-day period, the party may complete the abatement and not be in violation of this MOU. Clearing may be done using methods, such as mowing and trimming that leave the plant root structure intact to stabilize the soil. Clearing is not limited to these methods and discing, which exposes bare mineral soil, may be used if deemed necessary by the local fire chief.
c. Areas previously cleared. Areas that have been consistently cleared of vegetation over the last three years may continue to be cleared even though they are outside of the limits established in Sections a. and b. above.
1For the purposes of this MOU, the term "structure" does not include fences or similar barriers enclosing or separating areas of land.
5 d. Roadway clearance. Property owners, their lessees, fire districts, the County of San Diego, Cal Trans and cities shall be permitted to clear up to 30' along each side of established regularly traveled roadways. The required width will be at the discretion of the fire chief.
e. Prior or Future Agreements. The terms. and guidelines in this MOU may be superseded by any other specific agreement entered into with the Service or the Department governing the removal of vegetation. This MOU shall not preclude revision of the flammable vegetation abatement guidelines contained herein \Vhen furure regional and local conservation plans are adopted by the local jurisdictions.
f. Federal Lands. Land owned or controlled by Federal Multiple Use Land Management Agencies, will be handled on a "case by case" basis, with the federal agency that controls the subject lands to determine what clearing is appropriate.
g. Property owners, their lessees, fire districts, and cities shall continue to avoid vegetation removal in recognizable riparian (stream side) zones and vernal pool depressions, as these areas are naturally somewhat resistant to fire and are subject to separate federal and state regulations. If such removal is deemed necessary by the local fire chief, the Department and Service must be notified in writing and consulted at least ten (10) days prior to anticipated vegetation abatement. If the Department and Service fail to respond within the ten-day period, the party may complete the abatement and not be in violation of this MOU.
Section III NOTIFICATION OF LANDOWNERS
Fire agencies that require abatement of flammable vegetation clearance shall develop guidelines for this clearance. These guidelines shall be made available to the public, either through direct mail or a public notices, stating that the guidelines are available and the location where they can be obtained. Toe guidelines must include directions as to the minimum and maximum limits for vegetation clearing and acceptable clearing methods. Additionally, the following statement shall be included in the guidelines:
Landowners who have received notice from the California Department offish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the occurrence of rare, threatened, or endangered species on their property in areas subject to fuel break clearance must notify both agencies in writing at least 10 days prior to vegetation clearing. Toe agencies will have up to 10 days following such notification to (1) determine whether the proposed clearing complies with State and/or Federal endangered species requirements and (2) to suggest voluntary, alternative abatement measures if feasible and warranted. Failure of the agencies to respond within IO days will allow the landowner to proceed with abatement 6 activities without further delay. Failure by landowners to provide adequate notification as described above may render landowners liable under State and Federal law.
Section IV. BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS
Property owners, their lessees, CDF, fire districts and cities shall not be requir d to perform biological surveys as a condition precedent to performance of the fire protection activities established by the guidelines set forth in Section I.
7 Section V. PROJECT OFFICERS
a. Project Officer for the CDF is:
Ken. Miller, Ranger in Charge
C Iifomia Department of Forestry
2249 Jamacha Rd.
El Cajon, California 92019
b. Project Officer for the Fire Chiefs is:
Erwin L. Willis, Fire Chief
Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District
P.O. Box 410
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
c. Project Officer for the Districts is:
Ralph Steinhoff
North County Fire Protection District
315 East Ivy Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028
d. Project Officer for Service is:
Gail Kobetich, Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Field Office
2730 Loker Avenue West
Carlsbad, California 92008
e. Project Officer for the Department is:
Jacqueline Schafer, Director
Department offish and Game
1416 9th Street
Sacramento, California 95814
8 Section VI. SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The CDF, fire districts, cities, the Service and the Department shall comply with the Reasonable and Prudent Measures and the Terms and Conditions identified in Biological Opinion issued by the Service for this action. Take of listed species that is deliberate and results from an act outside the scope of the Project as defined in Section I is not authorized.
It 1s understood by the parties that the Service authorizes incidental take of the following federally listed threatened and endangered species: arroyo toad (Bufo microscaphys californicus), coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), and Stephen's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi), which may be impacted by the fire protection activities established by the guidelines set forth in Section I. Furthermore, it is understood by the parties that the Department authorizes the take of species listed as threatened species or endangered species, or candidate species (under Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code) which may be impacted by the fire protection activities established by the guidelines set forth in Section I.
Any person who becomes aware of the take of an individual of a candidate or listed species as a result of that person's engaging in the permitted activity shall report the take to the Department as soon as practicable and shall make available the remains of any animal or plant taken to the Department of fish and Game upon demand.
Section VII. FINDINGS
I. Department Findings:
Pursuant to fish and Game Code Section 2081, the Department finds that implementation of the fire control, abatement, and protection measures contemplated by this MOU is not likely to result in jeopardy to the continued existence of the identified State listed or candidate species, if the terms and conditions of the MOU are fully implemented and adhered to. Toe Department finds, further, that by preventing or limiting the spread of fire to the identified species' habitat, this MOU will serve to protect the identified species from further degradation.
Section VIII. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this MOU may be proposed by any of the parties and shall become effective upon being reduced to a written instrument executed by all of the parties. It is anticipated and understood by the parties that this MOU, specifically the arroyo toad (Bufo microscaphys californicus), coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), and Stephen's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi), may be amended to include additional species that in the future are listed as threatened or endangered by the Secretary of the Interior or the California Fish and Game Commission. In addition, it is understood that this MOU may be amended to include additional parties.
9 Section IX. TERM OF AGREEMENT
This MOU shall become effective upon the date it is executed by the parties (execution date) and shall remain in effect for an initial period of one (1) year. Thereafter, this MOU shall be automatically extended from year to year on the aforementioned execution date unless the Service or the Department objects to the extensio.q, in writing, within thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of this MOU. Any written objection must state the reason for the objection to the extension of this MOU. In the event a written objection is provided, the parties shall work cooperatively to resolve any problems so that the MOU may be extended.
7 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this MOU to be executed by an authorized official on the day and year set forth opposite his or her signature.
Date: ;;).·d.(; ·C/7
Title: Gail Kobetich, Field Supervisor
SERVICE CONTRACT SUFFICIENCY REVIEW
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CALIFORNIA DEPARTNIBNT OF FISH AND GANIE
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CALIFORNIA DEPARTNIBNT OF FORESTRY, SAN DIEGO RANGER UNIT BY: L C. Date: 2 .,,:J...-(,
Title: KenMiller) Ranger iCharge
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION
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Erwin L. Willis, President
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FIRE DISTRICT'S ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
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3 TODAY’S PRESENTATION
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
• Statewide and local wildfire risk
• What we’re doing
• Wildfire Mitigation Plan Overview
• Phase 1: Key findings and recommendations
• Phase 2: Preview
• Next steps and proposed actions
4 Wildfire risk
across
California
continues to
increase.
5 A HISTORY OF WILDFIRES IN CARLSBAD
Harmony Grove Fire
1996
Poinsettia Fire
2014
6 WHAT WE’RE DOING IN
CARLSBAD
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
7 CITY COUNCIL TOOK EARLY ACTION
$850,000 approved for wildfire mitigation in FY 2024-25 mid-year budget.
Department Investment
Parks & Recreation Vegetation management and fuel reduction in city-owned urban forests
Environmental Sustainability Invasive species removal in unmanaged preserves Fire Development of the Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Additional $550,000 approved in FY2025-26 to continue vegetation management efforts.
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
8 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AT HOSP GROVE
9 FUEL REDUCTION AT POLICE & FIRE HEADQUARTERS
10 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN UNMANAGED PRESERVES
11 WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
OVERVIEW
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
12 ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
13 PHASE 1: HAZARD & RISK ASSESSMENT
LOCAL FIRE
HISTORY
VEGETATION
& DEFENSIBLE
SPACE ASSESSMENT
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
EVACUATION
ROUTES
FIRE BEHAVIOR
MODELING
EXPANDED FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY
ZONES
14 STATE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
2007 2025
15 VEGETATION GROWTH
2015
2025
16 DUDEK FIRE BEHAVIOR MODELING
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
2026 Fire Behavior Modeling
2025 State FHSZ Map
17 PHASE 1
KEY FINDINGS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
18 ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
Steep terrain, mature
vegetation, extensive open
space and development near
natural habitat increase
wildfire risk and exposure
throughout Carlsbad.
KEY FINDING #1: INCREASED WILDFIRE
RISK & EXPOSURE
19 ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
KEY FINDING #2: DEFENSIBLE SPACE
IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
20 KEY FINDING #3: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
CONSTRAINTS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
21 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
STATE & FEDERAL LAW
• California Endangered Species Act
• F
ederal Endangered Species Act
• Ensures compliance with federal and state Endangered Species Acts • St
reamlines city project permitting while protecting preserve areas ≈ 6,200 acres
• Fuel reduction rules vary based on pre- vs. post-HMP development • Amendments may be possible
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
22 CONSTRAINTS TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
The Habitat Management Plan:
• Regulates impacts to sensitive species
and habitats in the city
• Gives city authority to issue permits
under the State and Federal
Endangered Species Acts
• Establishes citywide preserve system
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
23 • Inside or outside of a preserve
• Including on private land
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
CONSTRAINTS TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
All sensitive species and
habitats are protected:
24 ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
WILDFIRE MITIGATION REQUIRES
A BALANCED APPROACH
Phase 1 identified opportunities to reduce wildfire risk while working within these environmental and regulatory constraints.
Wildfire Risk Reduction
• Protected habitat
• Sensitive species
Environmental Stewardship
• Life safety
• Property protection
• Critical infrastructure
• Evacuation readiness
25 Phase 1 identified strategies
to advance both priorities.
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
26 PHASE 1: PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT
ACCESS & EVACUATION
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
OUTREACH
STAFFING RESOURCES
27 PHASE 1: PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT
ACCESS & EVACUATION COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
OUTREACH
STAFFING RESOURCES
Priority Vegetation Management Recommendations:
1. Increase strategic fuel reduction citywide
2. Expand defensible space where wildfire risk is greatest
3. Establish a defensible space inspection and compliance program
4. Address environmental and regulatory constraints in
habitat areas
5. Update the Landscape Manual and develop fire
management plans
28 PHASE 1: PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT
ACCESS & EVACUATION
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
OUTREACH
STAFFING RESOURCES
29 FROM ASSESSMENT TO ACTION
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
30 FROM ASSESSMENT TO ACTION
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
31 PHASE 2:
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
IDENTIFY &
PRIORITIZE PROJECTS
DEVELOP
IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN & STRATEGY
ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
SUSTAIN FIRE
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
32 CURRENT RISK REDUCTION EFFORTS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
Existing programs and initiatives:
Hazard Reduction Program for privately owned
vacant lots
Annual brush clearance on city-owned vacant
lots
Fuel modification zone compliance support for
homeowners' associations
Firewise USA community participation and
support
Courtesy defensible space and home hardening
inspections upon request
ALERTCalifornia camera deployment for early
detection
Vegetation management in city-owned urban
forests and unmanaged preserves
Community events promoting wildfire
preparedness
33 PROPOSED ACTIONS AND
NEXT STEPS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
34 BUILDING ON CURRENT PROGRAMS
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
The city may consider:
• Expanding vegetation management
• Requiring annual Fuel Modification Zone
inspections
• Enhancing the defensible space home
evaluation program
• Strengthening community education
35 INVESTING IN LONG-TERM RESILIENCE
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
Staffing
• Full-time Assistant Fire Marshal
• Estimated annual compensation: $209,659
• Existing position offset: ($44,733)
• Net cost increase: $164,926 annually
Program Support
• Resident education materials: $25,000 annually
• Inspection software services: $30,000 annually
Capital Equipment
• Vehicle and outfitting: $75,000
36 RECOMMENDED ACTION
ITEM 15: WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
• Accept the Wildfire Mitigation Plan Phase 1 Report
• Authorize initiation of Phase 2, including development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• Include funding in the draft FY 2026-27 budget for
community outreach and conversion of a part-time Fire
Prevention Specialist position to a full-time Assistant Fire Marshal position
Adopt a resolution to:
37 A MORE RESILIENT CARLSBAD
Protecting people, property and critical infrastructure while preserving the environmental resources that make our community unique.