Monterey County panel details defensible‑space rules, emergency tree‑clearance path after Palisades fire

Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels convened a public meeting in Pebble Beach to explain how residents can address “problematic trees” and reduce wildfire risk in the Del Monte Forest, and to outline the state and county processes for removing hazardous vegetation.

The discussion assembled local fire officials, foresters and land‑use staff who emphasized layered steps residents can take: home hardening, maintaining defensible space in three zones (0–5 feet, 30 feet and 100 feet from structures), and following county permit pathways or the state's emergency clearance process when appropriate.

Why it matters: the Del Monte Forest is a dense wildland‑urban interface where aging Monterey pines, downed timber from recent storms and close‑proximity development raise the risk that embers or a crown fire could ignite homes. County and state officials said coordination among CAL FIRE, the Del Monte Forest Conservancy, Pebble Beach property stewards and the county allows faster fuel‑reduction work than in jurisdictions with many separate private owners.

CAL FIRE's San Benito‑Monterey unit chief George Nunez described the practical steps that reduce structure loss. “If you clear 0 to 5, and you have that as your fire resistant, you have no fuels,” he said, summarizing research and demonstration footage shown at the meeting. Nunez repeated the three‑band defensible‑space approach used in guidance for structure survivability: an ember‑resistant zone immediately adjacent to the building (0–5 feet), a modification area out to 30 feet, and a wider fuels‑management…