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Commissioners press for clearer fire restrictions and outreach after discussing canyonwide open-fire ordinance
Summary
Following concerns about wildfire risk, commissioners reviewed an ordinance restricting open fires in the canyon, discussed unified-fire enforcement and agreed to boost public outreach including newsletter and canyon signage; they also considered seasonal versus year-round restrictions.
Wildfire risk was a recurring concern in the meeting. Commissioners asked whether the city could adopt a year-round or seasonal ban on outdoor open fires and whether Unified Fire's adopted restrictions already cover the canyon.
Speakers reported an ordinance prohibiting open fires in the canyon and noted enforcement is a challenge in remote areas. Commissioners proposed a public-outreach strategy — newsletter placement, canyon signage at entrances and clear instructions for complaint reporting — to raise compliance. One member suggested using permit-only rules for some types of controlled fires to allow safe, limited exceptions.
Why it matters: The canyon’s dry conditions and remote properties increase wildfire vulnerability; clear rules plus visible signage and outreach can reduce risk and give enforcement a basis for action.
Next steps: Staff to coordinate with Unified Fire, draft outreach language for the next newsletter and consider signage at canyon entrances to notify the public of the ordinance.
