Countywide : County in Line for Fire Hazard Funds
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will distribute about $10 million to Southern California cities and counties hit by last year’s devastating firestorms to help them prevent fires.
The applicants include Laguna Beach, which is seeking $1.6 million to reduce wildfire hazards on public and private property.
Just over a year ago, the worst fire in Orange County history destroyed or damaged 441 homes in Laguna and surrounding unincorporated areas.
Laguna Fire Chief Richard Dewberry said that projects are expected to include controlling vegetation, building an emergency access road in Bluebird Canyon and training community volunteers to identify and assist in removing fire hazards that are on private property adjacent to wild lands.
The city also wants to retrofit its fire engines so they can carry foam, Dewberry said.
Foam can be sprayed directly on flames or applied as a protective blanket on vegetation or structures in danger of being burned.
Applicants for the federal money must provide matching funds of at least 25% of total project costs.
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