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Politics & Government

Community Council Supports Fire Prevention Motion

PPCC backs a Los Angeles City Council proposal to improve guidelines for preventing hillside fires. Councilmembers reference a recent fire ignited by a contractor in the Potrero Canyon area.

The Pacific Palisades Community Council unanimously approved a fire safety motion proposed by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz Thursday. The motion calls for the Los Angeles Fire Department to provide recommendations on brush clearance and fire prevention equipment.

Koretz's motion, which is currently not on the city's Public Safety Committee's agenda, directs fire department personnel and the city attorney "to report back in 30 days with recommendations on amendments to the fire code and municipal code ... on the requirements homeowners, and their contractors, must follow when clearing brush from their property."

The motion specifies the fire department report should address "the appropriate equipment for brush clearance to maximize safety; requirements for the use of fire extinguishers or other fire retardant to ensure that a fire could be immediately contained or prevented; and updates on recent changes in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Boundary."

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In addition to measures in Koretz's motion, the Palisades Council is urging the city council to improve efforts by government agencies, contractors and homeowners when "there is any construction or permitted activity that could pose a fire threat."

PPCC member Chris Spitz said the community council "should be supporting a motion like this to at least get the fire code strengthened ... and ... have the fire department report back on how to strengthen things."

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She referenced ignited by a city construction contractor as an example of the need for clearer fire prevention regulations for homeowners as well as contractors and government agencies.

"We were told by the fire department representative here at this council months ago that, in connection with that Potrero fire, the contractor didn't have a fire extinguisher on hand or any other equipment to do anything to stop it as it was blowing up the hill," Spitz said.

The municipal code section pertaining to brush clearance requires "homeowners to clear hazardous vegetation on their property ... within five feet of roof surfaces," 10 feet of roadways such as alleys, driveways and streets, combustible fences, and chimney outlets and within 200 feet of buildings, according to Koretz's motion.

"Unfortunately, on occasion, brush has been ignited when homeowners or their contractors are clearing vegetation," the motion states. "Any fires can be caused from sparks produced from metal blades on motorized equipment used to clear brush. To prevent such occurrences, homeowners must take precautions during brush clearance to ensure that fires are not inadvertently started."

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