October Mayor's Column with Mayor Kleiman

One of the things that makes Newport Beach such a special place to live is the natural environment that surrounds us. From our coastline to the Back Bay, Buck Gully, Newport Coast and the many open spaces throughout the City, we are fortunate to have a variety of natural areas right in our own backyard.

Those same natural areas also mean we need to be prepared for wildfires, particularly as we head into the fall months when Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry vegetation can increase fire conditions. 

Wildfire preparedness is something the City works on year-round. This includes reducing hazardous vegetation, providing our firefighters with the equipment and resources they need and ensuring our water system is prepared to support emergency response. The City’s three reservoirs provide nearly 200 million gallons of combined storage capacity, along with multiple water sources and the ability to move water throughout Newport Beach during an emergency.

Preparedness also extends to our neighborhoods. The Newport Beach Fire Department works with homeowners and HOAs on defensible space and home hardening, including individual home assessments that identify practical ways to reduce wildfire risk. Residents are also encouraged to visit Fire Station No. 8 in Newport Coast, which was designed with wildfire resilience in mind. The station incorporates fire-resistant building materials, ember-resistant features, defensible space and landscaping strategies that demonstrate many of the same steps homeowners can take to protect their own properties.

As we enter the fall season, I encourage residents to take a few minutes to review their own preparations. Clear dead vegetation and combustible debris, check your emergency supplies, make sure everyone in your household knows your evacuation plan, and sign up for Newport Notified emergency alerts at NBPD.org.

You can also learn more at Fire Service Day on Sunday, October 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Newport Beach Fire Station 7. The free event will include live rescue and fire demonstrations, auto extrication, lunch, children’s activities, and an opportunity to meet the firefighters who serve our community every day.

Preparing now is one of the best things we can do to protect our homes, our neighborhoods and one another when an emergency occurs.

Warmly,

Mayor Lauren Kleiman
Email: lauren@lauren4newport.com

Mayor Lauren Kleiman is serving her first term as Mayor of Newport Beach.