County OKs Special ‘Red Flag’ Precautions for Upper Corral Canyon

• More Proactive Wildfire Protection for Vulnerable Unincorporated Area

BY ANNE SOBLE

Scars from the 2007 wildfire are still visible in upper Corral Canyon above the City of Malibu boundary line. Those grim reminders spurred county action to try to give the unincorporated area an extra measure of protection during red flag alerts.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the behest of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky who represents unincorporated Malibu, responded to recommendations made by fire officials because “its geography makes Corral Canyon uniquely vulnerable to hot, dry and windy conditions.”
This was exemplified by the Nov. 24, 2007 blaze that occurred after an illegal bonfire started by unauthorized visitors to the part of Malibu Creek State Park directly above the Corral Canyon community spiraled out of control. The blaze destroyed or damaged 98 residences and 45 outbuildings and threatened many more structures.
Among the regulations that will go into effect during a red flag alert are the prohibition of all non-emergency traffic and on-street parking in most areas north of the residential areas along Corral Canyon Road to limit access to the high-fire-danger area when the threat of wildfire is greatest.
The access prohibitions, which took effect immediately upon the board’s passage of the motion last week, will be enforced by what is described as “an enhanced Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department presence on all days that have red flag conditions.”
The added sheriff’s department protection will be funded by Yaroslavsky’s ongoing Operation Safe Canyon program.