Laguna Beach takes steps to reduce wildfires

The Laguna Beach City Council has adopted an extensive report on recommendations to reduce the city’s risks of wildfires.

Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Dicterow says the report had short-term, medium and long-term recommendations.

He says the costs for the short-term recommendations will be covered from various sources including grants and will be implemented within a year.

They include making sure brush and other flammables are maintained at better levels throughout the city. Also improved communication systems such as a citywide loudspeaker program that could be utilized when all other forms of communications are destroyed by fire.

Dicterow says Laguna Beach is vulnerable to wildfires. In 1993, a wildfire severely damaged or destroyed 400 homes.