Title
Sheriff's Office recommending the Board provide conceptual approval to add Title 8, Chapter 8.07 of the ordinance code, with a proposed title of “Unlawful Fires on Private or Public Property”, to prohibit unauthorized ignition or maintenance of fire.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Board Policy A-3 on Ordinances requires that proposals for new ordinances be presented to the Board for conceptual review and authorization. Sheriff’s Office is recommending conceptual approval to add Chapter 8.07 to Title 8, Public Health and Safety, of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code.
The proposed ordinance is titled “Unlawful Fires on Private or Public Property” and aims to prohibit the unauthorized ignition, maintenance, or permission of fires that threaten public safety, property, and the environment. The ordinance includes enforcement and penalty provisions, and provides specific exceptions for controlled burns and approved recreational fires.
The addition of this ordinance is necessary due to the increasing threat of wildfire in the County, which is largely located in State or Local Responsibility Areas designated as Moderate to Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. El Dorado County has suffered several recent catastrophic wildfires (e.g., Caldor, Mosquito, and King fires). This ordinance is intended to protect lives, property, and first responders by curbing high-risk, unauthorized fire behavior.
This ordinance is not a project under CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(a) and 15061(b)(3), as there is no potential for physical environmental impact.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to provide conceptual approval for these changes. The status quo in the County with respect to fire hazards would continue.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Chief Administrative Office.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct financial impact associated with the Ordinance update or the new Ordinance section.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Undersheriff Eric Palmberg