Annual Vegetation Mitigation Programs

 

Annual Vegetation Mitigation Programs

The Newport Beach Fire Department is committed to protecting our community from wildfire risks through comprehensive vegetation mitigation programs. These initiatives focus on managing vegetation to reduce fire hazards and enhance safety in areas where wildland and urban developments intersect. Below, you will find detailed information about our programs and their importance in safeguarding Newport Beach.

Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas

A Wildland-Urban Interface Area is a geographical area where improved property intersects with wildland or vegetative fuels; those areas in the City will either be defined as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Hazard Reduction Zone. If your home or business is located within a Wildland-Urban Interface Area, certain Building Code regulations will apply to new, rebuilt or significantly remodeled structures.

 Vegetation Picture

Weed Abatement

The purpose of the weed abatement program is to reduce potential fire hazards due to the accumulation of weeds, dry vegetation, and or rubbish.

Currently there are 10 properties located throughout the City in the weed abatement program that is coordinated by Fire Prevention staff. These inspections are conducted by Fire Operations staff once per year, starting in the beginning of May. Homeowners, landowners or property managers should comply with the vegetation requirements by the first week of May to avoid receiving a non-compliance letter. 

If your home or business is located within a designated weed abatement parcel, please refer to the City of Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 10.48 Weed and Rubbish Abatement. 

Hazard Reduction Zone

A Hazard Reduction Zone is defined as any geographical area designated by the Fire Chief in which structures directly abut a wildland space on one or more sides.

There are 266 parcels that are designated as Hazard Reduction Zones. Fire Prevention staff conducts these inspections on an annual basis. Upper, Middle, and Lower Buck Gully, including Big Canyon, Morning Canyon and Newport Coast, are areas determined as a Hazard Reduction Zone.

If your home or business is located within a Hazard Reduction Zone, certain regulations apply. Please refer to the following for more detailed information:

Homeowners, landowners or property managers shall comply with the vegetation requirements by the last week of May to avoid receiving a non-compliance letter. Inspections conducted by the Fire Prevention staff begin the first week of June.

Fuel Modification Zone

Fuel modification is a critical wildfire prevention strategy in Newport beach, designed to create a defensible space between developed properties and wildlands. This managed strip of land involves thinning, removing, or replacing combustible vegetation with drought-tolerant, fire resistant, and/or irrigated plants. These measures reduce radiant and convective heat, slow fire spread, and provide safer conditions for firefighting efforts.

Fuel modification zones are carefully planned and maintained to minimize fire risk. When paired with building requirements outlined in California Building Code Chapter 7A, these zones significantly reduce the chance of structural ignition during a wildfire. Seasonal inspections by Newport Beach Fire Prevention staff ensure compliance and maintain the effectiveness of these zones.

Key aspects of fuel modification in Newport Beach include:

  • Defensible Space: Zones designed to reduce flame impingement and heat transfer.
  • Zone Specifications: Four distinct zones (A, B, C, and D) with specific vegetation and maintenance requirements.
  • Compliance Timelines: Spring and fall inspections with deadlines to avoid non-compliance notices.
  • Resources: Guidelines for approved plants, undesirable species, and municipal code requirements.

Currently, 24 Newport Beach communities are required to maintain fuel modification zones. These zones are essential in protecting lives, property, and the natural environment from wildfire threats. For detailed information, refer to Newport Beach Municipal Code Title 9.04.380 and the Fire Department's Fuel Modification Guidelines.

If you have questions, concerns, or inquiries please contact: 949-644-3106 or email nbfdwildland@nbfd.net or to request an inspection NBFD Wildland Inspection Request Form.

FAQ's

What is the difference between a Hazard Reduction Zone and a Fuel Modification Zone?
If a fuel modification zone would protect my home better than a hazard reduction zone, why doesn’t the City require it, instead of a hazard reduction zone?
How does the hazard reduction zone inspection process work? What happens if I don’t do anything?
Where can I access the guidelines for vegetation management?
Are there any additional recommendations on how I can protect my home from a wildfire?