City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2024 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: HAWARDEN FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE AND WORKSHOP ON WILDFIRE DEFENSIBLE SPACE PLANNING ISSUE:
Update on Hawarden Fire incident and to conduct a workshop to discuss Wildfire Defensible Space Planning.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Discuss the Hawarden Wildfire Incident, Wildfire Defensible Space Planning and creating a City Wildfire Ordinance.
That the City Council:
Receive a recap of the Hawarden Fire Incident;
Conduct a workshop on Wildfire Defensible Space Planning; and, Direct staff regarding the options relating to Wildfire Defensible Space Planning.
BACKGROUND:
Hawarden Fire Incident:
On July 21, 2024, a fire started in the Hawarden area of the city. The fire now known as the Hawarden Incident quickly grew to nearly 600 acres, destroying 7 homes with damage to another 10. The fire took significant support from mutual aid fire companies and aircraft. The City incurred is estimated at $1.5 million dollars in fire response costs. The Fire Department and Emergency Operations Center was able to secure a Federal Management Assistance Grant to cover 75% of the firefighting cost. The fire resulted in 1,400 civilians being evacuated, 200 sheltered in-place and monitored and 7 moved to temporary shelters with a total of over 1,600 effected. The Hawarden Incident was deemed 100% contained and closed August 5, 2024. The City Council received an update on August 8, 2024. Additionally, a community meeting was held on September 5, 2024, at the Orange Terrace Community Center with over 100 attending. Participants shared comments pertaining to: Firefighter response, mutual aid response, firefighting aircraft response, fire dispatch communications, evacuations and notifications, tactics and strategy, hydrant usage and water supply.
General Plan:
Public Safety Element - Fire Prevention & Response - Adopted October 5, 2021- Resolution No. 23771. No part of Riverside is immune from fire danger. Areas of dense, dry vegetation, particularly in canyon areas and on hillsides, pose the greatest potential for wildfire risks. Urban/wildland interface fires occur when a fire burning in wildland vegetation gets close enough to threaten urban structures. The major urban/rural interface areas of high fire risk within the City and the Sphere of Influence include Mount Rubidoux, the Santa Ana River Basin, Lake Hills, Mockingbird Canyon/Monroe Hills, Sycamore Canyon, Box Springs Mountain, and La Sierra/Norco Hills.
Additional areas may also be considered as a fire risk like the Allesandro Arroyo where the Hawarden Fire took place.
Wildfire Mitigation Plan:
The 2023 RPU Wildfire Mitigation Plan meets State minimum standards and has been reviewed by the Fire Department as part of the required review process. Implementation and execution of the plan remains the responsibility of RPU.
LEGISLATION:
The State of California has promulgated several laws, maps and programs:
AB 38: Defensible Space Inspections – July 1, 2021:
Requires the seller of a real property located in the “Very High” Fire Severity Zone to submit proof of compliance with defensible space requirements prior to the close of escrow. The inspection form is included in the in the real estate disclosures.
Upon release of the revised maps, this requirement will apply to real estate transactions in both the “High” and “Very High” Fire Severity Zones. In 2023, 60 AB38 inspections were requested.
SB 63:
Vegetation management, public education, grants, defensible space, fire hazard severity zones – September 28, 2021. Amends Section 51182 of the Government Code: A person who maintenance property in the very high or high fire severity zones shall maintain the minimum defensible space.
AB 3074:
Fire prevention: wildfire risk, defensible space, ember-resistant zones –January 1, 2021 Section 51186 of the Government Code is amended to require an ember-resistant zone within five feet of a structure. The requirement for an ember-resistant zone takes effect for new structures once the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection updates the regulations. The requirements for an ember-resistant zone shall take effect for existing structures one year after the effective date for the new structures.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ):
The current FHSZ Map was produced in 2008 which led to nearly 5000 parcels to lie within the Very High Fire Severity Zone. Upon release of the updated maps, anticipated Spring 2025, 10,000 to 13,000 parcels will lie within the Very High and High zones.
Fire Risk Reduction Community Certification:
A certification program exists for jurisdictions that meet specific criteria. Achieving this certification is very challenging and requires at minimum, a local Defensible Space Ordinance that meets all State minimum Defensible Space standards and exceeds State standards in several areas. The certification process is available for application every two years by the State Board of Forestry. There is no guarantee that Riverside will be granted certification. The next review will be in 2026. The only City with this certification in Riverside County is Murrieta.
DISCUSSION:
Hawarden Wildfire Summary:
The Fire Department continues to compile information about the Hawarden Incident from RFD and supporting agencies. The final report will provide, and a summary and an overview of the lessons learned during the Hawarden Incident. Preliminary key points included:
Situational Awareness
Accountability
Staffing
Communications
Logistics
Planning and Preparedness
Wildfire Mitigation Plan:
The Fire Department is beginning to work with other City Departments, other local and state agencies, and the community on developing a wildfire mitigation plan. The type of plan will encompass wildland areas within the city that need to be managed.
Defensible Space Ordinance:
The Fire Department is developing a defensible space ordinance. The ordinance will allow the City to enforce vegetation management in public and private lands.
Community Risk Reduction Certification:
Prepare necessary criteria and apply for a certification for the State Board of Forestry as a Fire Risk Reduction Community demonstrates the City of Riverside meets, and exceeds in some instances, industry standards in Wildfire Prevention. Insurance companies may reference this list when considering insurance policies within the City.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones:
The current Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map was released in 2008 which caused 5,000 parcels in the city to be located within the Very High Fire Severity Zone. Revised maps are anticipated to be phased in early to mid-2025. 10,000-13,000 parcels are expected fall within the High and Very High zones. Once the new maps are adopted locally, all legislative revisions will take effect. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will zone the entire city into four categories: Urban, Moderate, High, Very High.
Upon release and subsequent local adoption of the new FHSZ maps, AB 38 Defensible Space Inspection requirements and development standards will be required in both the High and Very High FHSZ. Pending State Legislation may require these standards to the Moderate zones as well.
Enforcement:
Code Enforcement is responsible for enforcement of State laws (AB 38 / 3074) and responding to complaints relating to complaints of overgrown vegetation. Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, Public Works, and Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) mitigates wildfire risks in areas assigned to their department. Code Enforcement, Parks, Public Works, and RPU consult with Riverside Fire Department (RFD) with parcel specific plans. Each City department funds their mitigation efforts within their budgets.
When the new Defensible Space Ordinance is enacted, the City would shift from reactive and proactively enforce and mitigate wildfire hazard in the areas within the City. Review of existing staffing resources will need to be evaluated to identify whether adequate staff resources are available to inspect all properties associated with State law, Wildland Mitigation Plan, and Defensible Space Ordinance.
Habitat/wildlife protections/challenges:
Wildfires can potentially undermine conservation of native biodiversity due to loss of native vegetation, expansion of non-native invasive species, and long-term or permanent loss of essential habitat for native fauna. Many areas throughout the City require coordination with various private and/or governmental agencies before any type of vegetation management can occur. It is important, productive, and legally required to reach out to various entities to ensure that wildlife and native habitat is identified and protected as needed. Valuable relationships and partnerships can be created through these various private and governmental agencies that can help achieve the desired goals while continuing to protect the environment and met the needs of having a defensible space by implementing fire mitigation.
Entities that may have jurisdiction over land in the City include, but is not limited to, the following: private property owners, Army Corp of Engineers, State of California Fish and Wildlife, County of Riverside, City of Riverside, Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District, Rivers and Lands Conservancy, Western Riverside Regional Conservation Authority, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and Friends of the Hills.
Homeowner Insurance:
Some insurers are canceling existing policies, refusing to write new policies, or even leaving the market entirely. This is due to a number of factors, including increasing wildfire risk, and rising construction costs. Over the last decade or so, the cost to insurance companies paying policyholder damages has grown exponentially more expensive as wildfire disasters have grown more destructive and intense. Eight of the ten largest recorded wildfires in California have occurred since 2017, with four of the six largest having occurred in 2020 alone.
The City can wait to see what unfolds in an ever-changing insurance landscape especially as it pertains to wildfire risks. Alternatively, the City can take proactive steps to craft a wildfire mitigation plan, defensible space ordinance and apply to be a Fire Risk Reduction Community to reduce fire risk, increase insurability while seeking stabilization/reduction of insurance rates, and preserve life and protect property.
Public Education:
The Fire Department sends public service announcements before wildfire season through social media.
Currently the Ready Riverside website contains information regarding how to protect your home from wildfire. With the conjunction with a local Defensible Space Ordinance, a community outreach program will follow where the Fire Department will conduct local meetings outlining defensible space, the Ready, Set, Go Wildfire Preparedness Plan, and a Fireworks Are Illegal Campaign. https://www.riversideca.gov/readyriverside/be-informed/hazards/wildfire Timeline:
Proposed timeline:
Defensible Space Ordinance and Evaluation of Staff/Resources/Budget - Public Safety Committee – November 2024
City Council – December 2024
Community Engagement:
March 2025
Wildfire Mitigation Plan:
Initiate in 2025
Fire Risk Reduction Community Certification:
Initiate in 2025
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priorities No. 2 - Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.6 -Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.
Community Trust – Wildfire Defense Planning keeps our community safe and ensures community trust between the City of Riverside and its residents.
Equity – Wildfire Defense Planning is provided in all Wards of the City to keep all communities within the City of Riverside safe.
Fiscal Responsibility – Fiscal responsibility is at the forefront during the planning and implementation of a Wildfire Defense Plan and Wildfire Ordinance.
Innovation – The City of Riverside team uses all tools available to keep the community educated, informed, and safe from wildfires.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The City of Riverside dedicates sufficient resources to sustain the needed resources to adequately prevent property damage and loss of life during the event of a wildfire.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to receiving this report.
Prepared by: Steve McKinster, Deputy Fire Chief
Approved by: Michael D. Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Presentation
Hawarden Incident Discussion ● Page 2