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4.M Fire Services and Hazards

upgrading fire protection in the project’s fire service area, the LACoFD has stated that it will not
be able to implement land use plans to accommodate new growth without specific provisions to
provide for necessary manpower, equipment and facilities.

(2) Wildfire Hazards

Large scale wildland fires are typically responded to by the Air Operations Division of
the LACoFD, which operates fire suppression camps. The fire camps plan a supportive role in
wildland fire prevention and suppression. They are not staffed with firefighters and do not
respond to incidents in developed areas. Within Los Angeles County, there are 10 fire
suppression camps operated by LACoFD. These fire suppression camps are staffed by a
31-person crew, consisting of County jail inmates and paid fire suppression aides. Fire
suppression teams receive specialized training in wildland fire suppression, which includes
establishing firebreaks. Water-dropping helicopters, bulldozers, and other equipment are utilized
as necessary to assist in firefighting efforts. Wildfire prevention measures include prescribed
burns, brush thinning/clearing, and creation of fuel modification zones or defensible space. As
previously noted, a fuel modification zone is an area surrounding a building where vegetation is
managed in accordance with a Fuel Modification plan to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition.

The project site is located in the Santa Clarita Valley, an area which is highly susceptible
to wildfires. The LACoFD designates the project site as a VHFHSZ based on the site’s weather
10
conditions, topography, and vegetation.

(a) Weather Conditions

Wildfire potential is greatly influenced by the prevailing weather that accompanies the
change in seasons. The fire season for the region is typically from the late summer to fall
months, when temperature is high and vegetation moisture level is low. In addition, the Santa
Ana winds blowing in hot, desert air can further dry out vegetation and exacerbate fire hazard
levels.

(b) Vegetation

The project site and vicinity are particularly prone to wildfires due to the highly
flammable vegetation cover, specifically chaparral and coastal sagebrush. These vegetation
types are well adapted to periodic fires, having the ability to recover quickly after a burn. Areas

10 Santa Clarita Valley General Plan, Technical Background Report, February 2004.

County of Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning Skyline Ranch Project
PCR Services Corporation July 2009

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PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT – Work in Progress