Undergrounding Answer To Wildfire Danger, Councilman Says

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach suffered devastating wildfire destruction 24-years ago. 440 homes were destroyed, citizens were in chaos as their beloved home by the sea was transformed with fire, ash and rubble.

The recent devastation in Northern California has been a reminder of the thread, causing the Laguna Beach City Council to reconsider their March ordinance to underground all utilities and power poles.

"It's a complicated process, but one of the most important issues we are working on today," Laguna Beach City Counciman Bob Whalen said at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday. Whalen is once again resolved to get overhead power and utility wires underground.

"As difficult as it may be to think about the consequences of another major fire in Laguna, imagine with me for a moment how utility poles and lines could create devastation in our community," Whalen said. "The Santa Ana winds are blowing, and lines go down, sparking fires in one or more neighborhoods, or a major earthquake hits, and downed power lines spark fires, or ruptured gas lines spark fires, which then spread to the power poles and transformers."

A bevvy or recommendations, including the March repeal of the ordinance to require utility companies to underground new and replace existing wires and power poles was unanimously approved by the City Council.

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric both are designing and engineering under-grounding projects over the next five years, according to a report cited in the Los Angeles Times.

The report stated that downed power lines have caused no fewer than five fires and 58 car accidents on Laguna Canyon Road over the past 10 years.

Aside from downed power poles causing fires, they are also a danger for residents who need to escape the threat of fire, and a blockade for emergency vehicles attempting to come in and battle potential blazes, according to Whalen.

The City Council members did authorize $3 million in funds, and an additional $4 million over the next two fiscal years to pay for under-grounding costs along those key evacuation routes.

Whalen also stated that Laguna Beach residents might tax themselves through a ballot measure to underground all utilities, to pay for the $1,000 per foot under-grounding costs.

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