Commentary: Approach to fire-prevention misses forest for the trees

Trees are becoming the only area that Laguna Beach is addressing for fire prevention, and that is missing the big picture.

Keeping vegetation thinned and performing regular tree maintenance is critical, especially in a drought, but trees were not the problem during the city’s big fire. It was the lack of accessibility to areas by our fire trucks and insufficient equipment and water access.

A roundabout was just installed on Catalina Street and the city is thinking of more. Really?

Have the drivers of fire trucks, ambulances and maybe the big rigs carrying Caterpillars tried maneuvering them in an emergency situation? I would encourage the city to simulate emergencies and see how well roundabouts work.

We are deficient on evacuation ingresses and egresses, so I don’t believe that closing off Forest Avenue or building a big art complex across from the Festival of Arts is smart location-wise. In a natural disaster, such as a mudslide, everyone needs to get out quickly and safely.

People have more cars per home, and those cars partially block access for the fire trucks. Construction trucks often dominate the streets. That needs to be readdressed.

On Coast Highway, near Nyes Place, the cars don’t even move over for the fire trucks and ambulances. The sirens get higher and louder, but the cars are getting more soundproof, and people are plugged into their ear buds. Let’s start citing for this.

Additionally, the county and neighboring cities are funneling more of their commuter traffic through Laguna. This extra traffic impedes emergency response as well as quality of daily life. If Laguna Canyon was widened, this would just get worse.

I would suggest a traffic study and action on recommended measures.

Change the timing on the streetlights, add more safe crosswalks and make “slow highways” a high priority.

Underground the utility wiring (not all at city expense). Fires have been sparked by Edison power lines, and with the heat and drought this cannot continue.

Finally, let’s ensure that our Fire Department has all the funding and manpower it needs to do its job, as its members risk their lives for us. The Los Angeles Fire Department has done extensive studies on different fire zone levels and planting, and I would hope that its members could come and share their research and expertise with the Laguna department.

I would also encourage citywide seminars on fire safety and brush and tree maintenance.

JOANNE SUTCH lives in Laguna Beach.