Laguna Beach Fire Celebrates Century Of Service

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The famed Laguna Beach Fire Department has stood at the ready, between residents and the challenges of mother nature, since 1919. That 100-year history was lauded, recently, at city hall.

The LBFD began with a crew of just 21 volunteer firefighters, working together to make the city safe. The Laguna Beach Fire House, as it was then called, was home to one Model-T Fire Engine. Fast forward 100 years. These days, 42 firefighters guard Laguna Beach, working in three platoons or shifts, with the same mission in mind.

Laguna Beach is considered a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone." A plume of smoke left untended could mean devastation as the threat of wildfire remains a constant risk to all who live here. The steep canyons and hills, vegetation, warm and dry seasons, and brutal Santa Ana winds are a perfect recipe for wildfire, according to CalFire. Laguna Beach's fire department has stared unflinchingly at that wildfire risk and worked through the worst of it with grit and determination.

In 1993, when the wind-driven Laguna Beach Fire claimed 14,000 acres, evacuated 23,000 people, and destroyed 441 homes and structures in under 24-hours. That fire remains seared in the memory of residents who returned to rebuild their lives along the coastline of Orange County. More recently, open space brush fires have proved the need for active fire service and cutting edge emergency planning.

Fire Chief Mike Garcia remarked on the occasion of the centennial anniversary in front of his peers and council-members.

"For 100 years, the Laguna Beach Fire Department has sworn to protect the community, taking pride in our history and protecting the city we serve," Garcia said. "Our mission is to provide emergency response, prevention, preparedness, and education to residents, businesses, and visitors so they can live safely and prosper in a hazard-resilient community."

Garcia thanked the long history of the department, for the unwavering dedication to the city of Laguna Beach. Together firefighters, past, and present remarked on how far they have come, as all of Laguna looks ahead toward a bright future.

• Paradise Lost, Lessons Gained For Laguna Beach
• Lessons Learned from 1993 Laguna Fire