CARLSBAD — In an effort to reduce wildfire risks, the Carlsbad City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution declaring weeds, rubbish and refuse on private property a “public nuisance” and identified 187 vacant parcels for cleanup where overgrown vegetation poses a fire hazard.
The resolution is based on a report presented by Fire Chief Michael Calderwood and Fire Marshal Darcy Davidson during a March 18 council meeting and falls under the city’s Hazard Reduction Program.
The sites were identified during the fire department’s annual hazard survey.
Property owners will be notified to clear combustible materials by May 15. The council also scheduled an April 15 public hearing to allow objections from property owners.
“This is an ongoing program that is important and effective in reducing hazards,” Davidson said. “However, it is also limited in scope. The program only covers vacant lots. It does not address wildfire risks in the built environment, nor does it address risks on public lands or in open space.”
While the Hazard Reduction Program has been in place for years, city officials are also developing a Community Wildfire Mitigation Plan to address wildfire threats citywide. Unlike the existing program, the new plan will include risk assessments for developed properties and open spaces.
The wildfire plan will outline key actions such as:
- Creating defensible space around homes and businesses
- Establishing fuel breaks in fire-prone areas
- Ensuring clear evacuation routes
- Providing public education on wildfire preparedness
Davidson noted that community concerns about wildfire risk have intensified since the January firestorms in Los Angeles County, which destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
“We are actively addressing these concerns and have already begun taking steps to reduce risks and the impact of wildfire in Carlsbad,” Davidson said.
To enhance the city’s fire prevention efforts, Cal Fire will release updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps on March 24. These maps classify wildfire-prone areas based on fuel load, terrain, fire weather patterns, wind conditions, and fire history.
Carlsbad will post the maps online for public comment and review, and the City Council will have 120 days to consider adopting the new hazard designations.
Under the newly adopted resolution, property owners identified in the city’s hazard survey must remove overgrown vegetation and refuse by May 15. If a property is not cleared by the deadline, the city will contract for the removal of fire hazards, and the cost — plus an administrative fee of $352 per parcel — will be added to the property’s annual tax bill.
If landowners dispute the requirement, they can present objections at the April 15 public hearing. The city will confirm expenses associated with abatement efforts at a final cost report hearing on July 22.
The fire department will mail official notices to impacted property owners, including instructions on special considerations for protected native habitats that may be exempt from clearance requirements.
Council members praised the city’s expanded wildfire mitigation efforts, emphasizing the importance of preemptive fire safety measures.
Councilmember Kevin Shin, a retired fire captain, reflected on his experience during the 2014 Poinsettia Fire and warned that homes without proper clearance could be deprioritized in emergency response efforts.
“When I would see [a home] that does not have a good defensible space … I would just kind of write it off,” Shin said. “It’s too much work to be able to take care of that home.”
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel acknowledged increasing community concerns following recent wildfires across California and urged residents to stay informed on fire safety updates.
“I know we have received a lot of communications … with regards to folks having concerns after seeing what was going on throughout the state, with good reason, of course,” Bhat-Patel said. She also recommended that residents download the Genesis Protect app, which provides real-time wildfire alerts and other emergency notifications.
Following City Council approval, staff will notify property owners of required hazard reductions while preparing for the April 15 public hearing.
The Carlsbad Fire Department will continue working on the Community Wildfire Mitigation Plan, integrating feedback from Cal Fire’s new hazard maps and developing additional wildfire safety strategies.
Residents can contact the Carlsbad Fire & Life Safety Division at [email protected] or visit the city’s website for updates on fire prevention efforts.
