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Resident urges city fire leaders to consult arborists and adopt CAL FIRE vegetation guidelines for Glen Canyon
Summary
A Glen Canyon resident told the Fire Commission the parks treetops are browning compared with five years ago and asked the department to coordinate with urban-forest experts and follow CAL FIRE vegetation guidelines to reduce wildfire risk.
At the start of the meeting, resident Denise Louie addressed commissioners and described photographs from 2014 and June showing that treetops in Glen Canyon Park have browned since five years earlier. "Glen Canyon is 70 acres in the heart of the city," Louie said, adding she and neighbors "fear wildfire" and asked the commission to consult the Urban Forest Council and city arborists and to "follow the Cal Fire vegetation guidelines for tree spacing and fire safe plant choices."
Louie said she had approached the departments fire prevention division but was told they did not have an expert on trees. Chief Janine Nicholson acknowledged the comment but noted the department would seek expertise and coordinate with relevant city bodies.
Commissioners later discussed the citys ability to access Cal Fire resources for aerial water drops if needed; Deputy Administration Jose Veil and others noted the department can request mutual aid and that Cal Fire units based nearer the Santa Cruz area can typically reach the city in about 15 minutes during fire season.
No specific department action, inspection, or timeline was recorded at the meeting; commissioners asked for data and indicated staff would follow up.
