Public Safety Subcommittee
October 24, 2023

Vegetation Management
Program Update
Public Safety Subcommittee
October 24, 2023
Paul Lowenthal
Fire Marshal, Fire Department
1 Vegetation Management Program
Driven by the CWPP
• Adopted in 2019
• City Council provided with an annual
update by each January
• Money allocated by Council for 5 years
• CWPP due for updating in 2024
2 Nine Objectives & Forty-six Actionable Items
3 Program Highlights for 2023
• Implemented CBDG funded Veg Man Education
• WildfireReady, Staff, Ordinance, Signs, Education, Outreach materials • MOUs with SRJC and Fire Safe Sonoma
• Fuel Treatment Projects
• Burning
• Shaded fuel breaks & fuel mitigation - Conservation Corps of the North Bay & SAC
• Fountaingrove Parkway (Lower and interchange with Chanate) • Skyhawk Open Space
• Parktrail/Vets Memorial Trail
• Thomas Lake Harris Open Space
• Implemented Phase 1 of two HMGP projects
• Evacuation Routes Fuel Treatment
• WUI Defensible Space & Home Hardening 4
Program Highlights for 2023
• Investigate use of use of naturally based herbicides
• Working with Park and Water
• Monitor and participate in developments in CALFIRE VHFZSZ Maps
• Plan for changes to WUIFA
• Development of the Hazardous Vegetation and Fuels
Management Ordinance
• Removal of invasive vegetation (Scotch Broom, French Broom, Bay) in certain areas
• Removal of specific dead and down trees in burn scars • Prohibition of types of mulches within 30’ of a structure • Develop enforcement program for Defensible Space Inspection within the entire WUIFA
5 QUESTIONS?
6