RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 2-3 The placement of the Project considered downwind areas with an active fire history that currently have inadequate evacuation routes. The goal of the Project is to reduce fuel loads in a high fire hazard area, protecting the City and surrounding neighborhoods while simultaneously creating safer access for first responders. The Project would use a “light touch” approach with an emphasis on ladder fuel reduction adjacent to existing fire trails and roads. This approach would minimize soil disturbance, maximize production rates, and limit the impact to special-status species of both flora and fauna. WUI and shaded fuel breaks are defined in the sections below, and they would be used in combination. Creation of the combined WUI shaded fuel break would strategically use several treatment activities based on the prevailing vegetation types, topographic characteristics, environmental considerations, and surrounding land uses. Work would be completed with minimal to no disturbance to the ground and remaining vegetation. Treatment activities by fuel type are described in more detail below and in Section 2.3. 2.1.1. Wildland-Urban Interface Fuel Reduction WUI fuel reduction involves strategic removal of vegetation to prevent or slow the spread of non-wind- driven wildfire between structures and wildlands. In areas where wildland and manmade structures overlap, higher intensity fuel reduction typical of defensible space would occur within 100 to 150 feet of manmade structures, as determined by fire professionals and based on site conditions. Beyond 100 to 150 feet from manmade structures, vegetation treatments would be implemented with lower intensity. Fuel reduction would focus primarily on removal of fire hazardous vegetation such as dead, dying, and diseased vegetation, including trees, invasive plants, and noxious weeds, as well as limbing up of healthy trees. 2.1.2. Fuel Breaks Fuel breaks give firefighters access to control wildfires and are useful in slowing fires before they grow beyond initial attack capabilities. Fuel breaks permit first responders to reach the leading edges of a fire and protect isolated communities, and fuel breaks can stop or reduce the lateral spread of fires. In heavily wooded areas, a shaded fuel break would be implemented; the retained canopy shade would slow future growth of many grass and brush species and assist in future maintenance efforts. In suitable Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) habitat, a “scrub island” strategy would be implemented to retain habitat function; this is discussed in more detail in later sections. Development and maintenance of a fuel reduction zone within a 100-foot-wide fuel break would extend around community structures located adjacent to undeveloped open spaces. Portions of the fuel break would extend up to a width of 400 feet based on topography, site conditions, and land management constraints.