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Rancho Santa Margarita Council proclaims wildfire awareness season, approves application for state fire-risk reduction list
Summary
The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council proclaimed midsummer–early autumn as wildfire awareness and prevention season and unanimously authorized staff to apply for designation on the California Fire Risk Reduction Community list, which could prioritize CAL FIRE grants and affect insurer recognition under state rules.
Rancho Santa Margarita — The City Council on Aug. 13 unanimously approved a staff recommendation to apply for placement on the California Fire Risk Reduction Community list and adopted a proclamation declaring this period midsummer through early autumn as wildfire awareness and prevention season.
The council heard a presentation from city staff that the designation is maintained by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and that the city meets mandatory criteria, including local ordinances and a reviewed general-plan safety element, plus multiple optional criteria. Staff said the online application closes Oct. 1 and the next list is due in January 2026. Staff noted benefits could include priority consideration for CAL FIRE wildfire-prevention grants and recognition under the California Department of Insurance’s “Safer from Wildfires” regulations that insurers may consider when underwriting policies.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Shane Moll urged residents to use the Ready-Set-Go program (ocfa.org/rsg), prepare evacuation plans and sign up for Alert OC. “Most of the time it’s embers that blow into your neighborhood and get into your home,” Moll said, summarizing home-hardening steps and mentioning that OCFA offers free home-inspection visits.
Members of the public and council members voiced strong support. Resident Russ Corey, representing local community groups, said the designation would provide “much needed resources” for wildfire preparedness and might reduce insurance costs for vulnerable neighborhoods that back up to the Santa Ana Mountains.
Council members asked staff to follow up with practical guidance for homeowners about whether and how the designation might affect homeowners insurance. The council’s vote authorizes staff to proceed with the application and to return with any additional implementation steps for communicating benefits and next actions to residents.
