Item 300/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Matt West
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Manager
Date: 8/11/2026
Subject: Approval to submit a response the Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is for the City Council to approve the attached response to the 2025-26 Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
BACKGROUND
On May 19, 2026 the Orange County Grand Jury released its 2025 -26 Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home. The purpose of the report was to (1) identify the shared responsibilities of local governments and fire service agencies, communities and homeowners to reduce the risk of wildfire in the wildland-urban interface, (2) investigate the status of actions taken by the California legislature and Department of Insurance to provide relief to policyholders, and (3) inform communities and homeowners on home hardening, defensible space, insurance risk reduction, and wildfire safety awareness. The investigation reviewed the efforts of Orange County local governments, local fire departments, and homeowners associations to better understand and provide an independent look at the above concerns and possible solutions.
DISCUSSION
California is facing an escalating wildfire crisis driven by climate change, prolonged drought, stronger winds, and continued development in fire -prone wildland -urban interface areas.
Over the past decade, 15 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in state history have occurred, causing extensive loss of life, destruction of homes and communities, and billions of dollars in insurance claims. These disasters have contributed to a growing insurance crisis, with many private insurers reducing coverage or leaving high -risk areas, leading to soaring premiums and increased reliance on the California FAIR Plan. In response, California has implemented several measures, including the Safer from Wildfires regulation, AB 888 Safe Homes Grant Program, and the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, which promote home hardening, defensible space, wildfire mitigation, and insurance discounts for risk -reduction efforts.
Studies show these measures significantly reduce wildfire damage and provide substantial Item 300/2026
economic benefits. The 2025–2026 Orange County Grand Jury found that greater community engagement, homeowner participation, and use of available grants and certifications can reduce wildfire risk, improve insurability, lower insurance costs, and strengthen community resilience against increasingly severe wildfires.
The Grand Jury report outlined six findings, all of which applied to Garden Grove.
Findings
F1. More frequent and severe wildfires driven by increasingly hotter, drier, and windier conditions in the Orange County wildland-urban interface are escalating impacts on financial and non-financial resources. Among the financial costs are dramatic increases in homeowners’ insurance premiums, nonrenewals, and inabilities to obtain insurance.
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
F2. Actions that address conditions in the home ignition zone to significantly reduce ignition potential can prevent a community wildland -urban interface fire disaster or suburban conflagration.
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
F3. Expanded engagement with the community to raise awareness and provide support regarding home hardening and defensible space will increase effectiveness of wildfire risk mitigation and insurance risk reduction efforts.
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
F4. Achievement of community-level and property-level wildfire risk mitigation designations (such as Firewise USA Site, Fire Risk Reduction Community or Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety certification) l essens wildfire risk and helps reduce insurance premium costs.
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
F5. All county residents should be made aware that Safer from Wildfire regulation requires insurers to provide discounts to homeowners and communities that implement home hardening and defensible space measures regardless of whether a property is located within a Fire Hazard
Severity Zone.
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
F6. AB888, California Safe Homes Grant Program, provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners, cities, counties, and special districts for home hardening and defensible space measures. Applying for and using these grant funds will reduce wildfire losses and improve insurability and resilience of vulnerable communities.
Item 300/2026
Response: The City agrees with this finding.
The Grand Jury report also outlined four recommendations, two of which applied to Garden Grove.
Recommendations
R2. By December 31, 2026, cities and fire service agencies, including Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) should commit to participation in a county-wide annual wildfire prevention fair planned by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to showcase wildfire prevention outreach programs. [F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6]
Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. OCFA commits to participating in a county-wide annual wildfire prevention fair.
R4. By December 31, 2026, to ensure city residents are engaged and aware of wildfire risk reduction resources, OCFA member and non-member cities should provide information, develop their own outreach program, and establish a direct contact person(s) for their residents. This is in addition to whatever referrals or references made to OCFA outreach programs. [F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6]
Response: The recommendation has been implemented.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve the attached response and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
By: Shawn Park, Assistant to the City Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
Letter - Response the Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home