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Mission Viejo staff: $2 million Cal Fire grant will fund fuel-reduction work beginning this summer
Summary
City staff told council a $2 million Cal Fire grant will fund fuel reduction on public open space in high and very-high hazard zones; environmental clearance is complete and staff plans to bring bid awards to council in June with work starting July/August.
City staff told the council the city received a Cal Fire grant of $2,000,000 to treat very-high and high fire-hazard areas on public property and to focus on 100-foot defensible space and 50-foot roadside clearances.
Planning staff said environmental review (a Notice of Exemption) was completed in 2024, the project is out to bid, and staff received bids last week and are reevaluating them. Staff said they expect to return to council in June to consider awarding contracts and to begin physical work in July and August. Staff also noted the need to work with environmental biologists to comply with wildlife and habitat protections before ground work begins.
Council members asked whether mitigation work could change map designations; staff and the fire chief said the maps evaluate long-term hazard and are not adjusted downward based on mitigation until maps are redrawn, though mitigation reduces risk. Staff also said the city is exploring nontraditional options such as using goats for vegetation management and will continue outreach and volunteer coordination in affected neighborhoods.
