Editor,
Only trees are being addressed for fire prevention, which is missing the big picture. Vegetation thinning and tree maintenance are critical. But for newer Laguna residents, trees were not the problem in our 1993 fire. It was lack of accessibility to areas by fire trucks, lack of equipment and not enough water access. Also, our fire was arson started at separate times in various locations. The perpetrator(s) were never caught.
We just installed a roundabout on Catalina. Really? Have our fire trucks and ambulances tried maneuvering it in an emergency? I would encourage Laguna to simulate emergencies to find out. Our trucks go back roads constantly to avoid traffic.
A lightning caused fire resulted in two-hour Nyes and Coast Highway traffic snarl. Ditto July 4. We are deficient on evacuation ingresses and egresses – so I don’t believe that closing off Forest Avenue or building an art complex across from the Festival is smart location-wise. In a natural disaster, we must evacuate everyone quickly and safely.
People have more cars per home, partially blocking fire truck access. They have also ceded driveways for space. Construction worker trucks dominate our streets. In the drought and build-out, these need to be readdressed.
On Coast Highway and Nyes, cars don’t hear or move over for emergency vehicles. Sirens get higher and louder, but cars get more soundproofed, and people are plugged into ear buds. Let’s start citing.
The county and neighboring cities funnel commuter traffic through Laguna at traffic speeds of 60 plus mph. Cars barrel through red lights daily in early morning and again at 3:30. This traffic impedes emergency response. If we widen Laguna Canyon, it will get worse.
I recommend a traffic study and measures taken. Caltrans pushes traffic through town ASAP, but safety and road access from side streets and drives is impossible. Caltrans must change the timing on lights, add more crosswalks, etc. “Slow highways” should be a high priority.
Underground the wiring (not all at city expense). Our last two fires have been Edison poles burning.
Let’s ensure that our Fire Department has all funding and manpower needed to do its job, as firemen risk their lives for us. L.A. fire department has done extensive studies on fire zone levels and planting. I suggest we have them share their research and expertise with Laguna Fire Department and Laguna citizens.
Joanne Sutch, Laguna Beach
