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Residents urge action after repeated fires near Bella/Nabella Drive properties
Summary
Residents told the Atwater City Council Aug. 25 that recurring fires burned up to backyard fences behind Bella/Nabella Drive, nearly costing at least one household their home; they asked the city to pursue property-manager accountability, contractor enforcement and an agenda item for a fuller response.
Atwater residents described a string of recent grass fires behind homes along Bella/Nabella Drive and urged the city to hold property managers and contractors accountable and to place the matter on a future agenda for deeper review.
Ron Phillips told the council he witnessed a blaze that reached his neighbor—s fence and said firefighters told him they feared they would lose a nearby house. "It literally got up to my neighbor's fence," Phillips said, adding he has digital photographs he can share with staff (Ron Phillips).
Kelly Phillips, who lives at 2093 Nabella Drive, said the Aug. 19 fire was the third in the same field this year and that vegetation remains up to adjacent fences. "It was really, really scary," she said, and she asked that the council put the issue on a future agenda for a deep dive and to determine what needs to be done (Kelly Phillips).
Debbie Banda, who said her house at 2097 Nabella Drive "took the most of the fire," described flames over her seven-foot fence and reported contacting the property owner, who responded, "You expect me to pay for it?" Banda said she and her husband were asleep when the fire started and asked the council to act to prevent future incidents (Debbie Banda).
City staff told residents the city manager and battalion chief were aware of the incidents and that staff will follow up; the city manager later reiterated staff would work with affected residents (City Manager).
Councilmembers and staff discussed possible enforcement routes: confirming whether the burned parcel is privately owned, contacting the property manager, reviewing contract terms for contracted weed-abatement and clarifying whether cost recovery is available to the city for emergency response. One resident suggested stronger contractor scope-of-work and payment terms so work is completed before payment is made.
The council did not take an immediate formal action at the meeting but staff said they would follow up with the residents and the battalion chief to review next steps. Residents asked that the topic be scheduled for a future council meeting for a full review of property responsibilities, contractor obligations and potential code-enforcement or cost-recovery measures.
If the council places the item on a future agenda, staff will have to determine whether the parcel is privately owned, the city—s existing abatement contracts cover the work, and whether code-enforcement, civil remedies, or contract remedies are appropriate.
