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Experts and residents debate prescribed burns, goats and Zone 0 rules at Topanga fire meeting
Summary
Conservancy, MRCA and county fire staff described fuel‑treatment work and grants; experts explained pile burning vs broadcast burns and emphasized prescription and staffing. Residents voiced concern about prescribed burns in a heavily underinsured community and asked for more local data. County staff outlined phased Zone 0 defensible‑space inspections starting in 2026.
Representatives from the San Juan Mountains Conservancy, MRCA and county fire officials updated Topanga residents on current fuel‑treatment projects and funding and engaged a broad discussion about the pros and cons of prescribed burns, pile burning and grazing as tools to reduce wildfire risk.
Conservancy staff said projects are underway on nearby roads and that they have distributed grants and will continue planning. ‘‘Broadcast burning … put fire across the landscape based upon a prescription,’’ Drew Smith explained when asked to contrast methods; he said broadcast burns are surgical and guided by weather, fuel…
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