Is it ‘five minutes to midnight’ in Cambria?
–The
San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury recently released a report called, “Is it
Five Minutes to Midnight in Cambria? An Update on the Risk of Catastrophic
Fire.” The initial purpose for this report was to determine the catastrophic
fire risk in Cambria. The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) submitted
responses and updates in May and Sept. of
2017. The grand jury then submitted its Continuity Report in May, 2018, identifying
responses to all reports received in 2017. This is a follow-up on activity
regarding Cambria fire risks and emergency response.
The
current grand jury strongly recommends that the incoming grand jury conduct a
new investigation to determine if the Cambria CSD Fire Department and Cal Fire
have complied with their own stated standards for ensuring appropriate fire
risk mitigation.
Recommendations
from the grand jury involved mitigation efforts such as amending the fire code
to require the removal of dead trees from private property while exploring
funding sources to help homeowners in need of financial assistance comply with
that requirement.
In
response, the CCSD says that recent ecological reports suggesting, and as
identified in the initial grand jury report, that between 40 to 80 percent of
the Monterey Pine Forest in Cambria is dead or dying, it would by financially
devastating to require their removal. However, the CCSD is also quite familiar
with and sensitive to the very real fire danger that exists and that the CCSD
is aggressively seeking funding opportunities for dead and hazardous tree
removal through available grants.
Other
recommendations included developing a strategic fire plan, evacuation signs and
an expansion of siren systems.
Paso
Robles Daily News
by News Staff
November 18, 2021
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