Thousands get brush-clearance notices for first time after LA fire zones expand

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Tens of thousands of Los Angeles homeowners are receiving brush-clearance notices for the first time after state officials expanded high-severity fire zones in the wake of the Palisades and Altadena fires.

New maps released by Cal Fire extend designated fire-risk areas several blocks beyond previous boundaries, pulling in neighborhoods that had never been subject to brush-management rules. The expansion includes sections north of Ventura Boulevard, where some residents say they were caught off guard.

"Nobody knows. You want me to cut down these 100-year-old trees? What is it that they want?" said Studio City resident Patrice Berlin, who learned her property is now inside a high-severity zone.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Chris Thyfault said the updated maps reflect the growing threat of wildfires across the region. He said the changes added an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 properties.

Under the rules, homeowners in designated zones must create defensible space around their properties to reduce the risk of fire spreading. Grass and brush must be kept under 3 inches, and trees must be trimmed.

"You don't want any sort of foliage, any sort of trees touching any structure because you have a chance of that fire getting into that tree and then spreading to the structure," Thyfault said.

Fire officials emphasize that compliance does not mean removing trees entirely, but maintaining them properly.

"Do not remove any trees. Trim them up... pull them away from roof lines, 10 feet from the chimney," Thyfault said.

Inspections begin May 1. The initial inspection fee is $31, but repeated visits for non-compliance can push costs into the thousands.

Some residents say they are still unclear about what will be required.

"For the people that I've spoken to, nobody really understands what's going on," Berlin said.

Fire officials say they understand the concerns but stress that homeowners will have time if they have to fix any problems. The goal, they say, is to reduce wildfire risk as fire seasons grow longer and more intense across Southern California.