Hazardous Fuel Modification Work Begins in Topanga Canyon and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

 

 Los Angeles County Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department received $3.2 Million in Proposition 4 Funds from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to Prevent Wildfires

LOS ANGELES (September 15, 2025) – The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that Los Angeles County and Ventura County Fire Departments have begun to implement wildfire prevention programs funded by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to mitigate wind-driven fire spread and to reduce fuels in densely vegetated parks, open space and wildlands adjacent to communities including Topanga, Malibu, and Calabasas. The MRCA is leading these efforts to reduce wildfire risk in the Santa Monica Mountains, in partnership with the Los Angeles County and Ventura County Fire Departments. Through the Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan, the project targets 674.6 acres for strategic fuel treatments to strengthen community defensible space.

On Monday, Los Angeles County Fire hand crews began the first clearing project along Santa Maria Road and Mulholland Drive in the Topanga area of Los Angeles County. The crews will continue to Summit to Summit Motorway, also in the Topanga Area.

The environmental consulting firm, Dudek, completed biological surveys and flagging for sensitive species last week. Native American Tribal monitoring will be in place at each of the locations. Additionally, Los Angeles County will provide an on-site professional forester to monitor the projects as they progress.

Beginning next Wednesday, 500 goats will be onsite for clearing work at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve for approximately three weeks before moving to the next treatment location.

Updated information is available at https://mrca.ca.gov/statewide-critical-fuel-reduction-projects/ .

The State Legislature enacted an early action measure authored by local Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (AB-100) and signed into law by Governor Newsom in mid-April that allows the Conservancy to expend Proposition 4 bond funds for urgent wildfire prevention and resilience efforts. Proposition 4 was approved by the voters in the November 2024 general election. The Conservancy, which has helped preserve more than 75,000 acres of local open space and habitat, was allocated $31 million from Proposition 4 for watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development.

The $3.2 million grants to the fire departments were the first of many the Conservancy will award from these funds to proactively reduce the risk of wildfire, strengthen wildfire resilience, increase carbon sequestration, rally against the effects of climate change, and dedicate more resources to local community infrastructure.

High intensity wildfires in the Santa Monica Mountains and Rim of the Valley Corridor Zone have become more common in recent years, driven primarily by weather−most famously the Santa Ana and sundowner winds. In January 2025, the devastating Palisades, Eaton, and Kenneth wildfires underscored an urgent need for wildfire and climate resilience efforts to address the growing severity of fire seasons in Southern California.

The MRCA and Conservancy have been leaders in regional collaborative wildfire strategies and have been an anchor of the statewide Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program. The MRCA and the Conservancy are long-time and active members of the Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Alliance, an umbrella group of government agencies and other affected groups convened by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to address environmental and community safety problems related to wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Clears Dry Brush from Roadsides in Malibu and Topanga Canyons to Prevent Wildfires

The Early Action Roadside Fire Prevention Program targets historic fire corridors to reduce risk.

MALIBU, CA (August 1, 2025) – The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that it had completed emergency roadside vegetation clearance for fire prevention along Decker Canyon, Coral Canyon, and Latigo Cayon in Malibu and will complete similar brush and vegetation clearance work in Little Sycamore Canyon and Topanga Canyon by the end of next week. The canyons are in historic fire corridors, where wildfires have occurred in the past. Dry brush along roadsides poses a significant fire risk from human-caused ignition such as machinery or vehicle sparks. The public roadsides are adjacent to MRCA parkland. As part of the post-fire emergency that the MRCA has been authorized to address following the Palisades, Eaton, and Kenneth fires earlier this year, the MRCA has increased roadside clearance in these areas from 10 to 30 feet.

“Fire prevention is a year-round activity for the MRCA,” said Chief Fire Management Officer Ken Nelson. The MRCA trains and deploys teams across the Los Angeles Basin to perform fuel reduction as well as hiring contractors. With lower-than-average rainfall and warmer weather, fire season is, unfortunately, already upon us.”

Other local fire resiliency strategies include vegetation management, such as ignition and spread prevention including native oak planting, fuel breaks, and riparian mitigation to concentrate moisture and prevent fire spread

The MRCA employs up to 60 full time, seasonal, and volunteer wildland firefighters trained and certified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards in terrain, topography, wildfire suppression, and fuel management.  The Los Angeles Conservation Corps is a key partner in workforce development.

In May 2025 the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy granted $7.4 million in Governor Newsom’s Early Action Fire Resiliency Funding from Proposition 4 (AB 100) to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to extend the MRCA’s State-funded Wildfire Resilience Program established in 2021 and perform on-the- ground fire resilience actions in a short and accelerated timeframe to prepare for 2025 Fire Season.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

 

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Announces Maximum Coordinated Public Protection Effort for Fourth of July Weekend

More than 80 wildland fire-trained MRCA ranger, operations, and fire protection staff will patrol MRCA parklands on the night of July 4

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 2, 2025) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today its annual public safety patrol and fire protection deployment for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday this Friday. The goal is to safely protect the people and resources that are challenged by a large influx of holiday revelers and traffic in the urban-wild interface. The extensive MRCA Fourth of July deployment plan aims for public safety, fire prevention, law enforcement, and public awareness.

More than fifty MRCA Fire Protection full time, seasonal, paid call-out and volunteer staff, who are wildland firefighters, will patrol MRCA parkland from the ocean to the Santa Clarita in Type 3 and Type 6 Fire Engines; 11 pieces of fire equipment including type three engines and tactical water tenders will be positioned throughout the jurisdiction.

“The MRCA will be out in full force on the Fourth of July to patrol its parklands and curb illegal activity,” said MRCA Chief Fire Management Officer, Ken Nelson. “Our crews are well-trained and ready to respond to the threat posed by the combination of dry brush, fireworks, and warm weather.”

An additional thirty MRCA Rangers, Operations Staff, Public Officers, and seasonal assistants, most of whom are also certified wildland firefighters, will provide safety patrol and enforcement with emphasis on areas of heavy traffic including Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles, Topanga Canyon, the 118 Corridor, and Malibu.

“We are very prepared and ready to respond,” said MRCA Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez, who has patrolled Mulholland on the Fourth of July every year for more than 25 years. “We want the public to understand that some areas may be closed. Be vigilant, read signs, and pay attention to what is going on around you. Stay safe!”

Key deployment and operational areas include:

Mulholland Drive
• Both the Jerome C. Daniel Overlook Above the Hollywood Bowl and the Universal Overlook will be closed before sunset by 6 PM
• Barriers to prevent stopping or parking in front of Universal Overlook will be positioned during the day on Friday July 4 and will remain in place until Monday morning.
• All other overlooks will be closed to vehicular traffic at 5PM.
• Rangers and operations staff will be assigned to fixed locations and as rovers to cover Mulholland Drive and will issue citations as necessary.
• The City of Los Angeles has also committed LAPD, LADOT, and Recreation and Park Ranger staff to the effort on Mulholland Drive including installing additional No Stopping Signs early on the day of July 4 from Multiview to Wrightwood.

Topanga Canyon
• Security guards will be stationed with MRCA staff at the Top of Topanga Overlook–from 8pm to 5 am Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Monday morning.
• MRCA Rangers and Fire protection staff will coordinate and work in tandem with Topanga Arson Watch volunteers and the Lost Hills Sherrif station, who will maintain a robust presence throughout Topanga.

The City of Malibu
• Fire fighting equipment will be pre-positioned. Active fire and ranger patrol will be deployed throughout July 4 and into the early morning at all MRCA coastal locations including Winding Way and Lechuza Beach.

Fire prevention is a year-round activity for the MRCA which maintains an expert resource protection workforce trained in terrain, topography, and fuel management. The agency maintains constant communication with Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, and Ventura County Fire Departments, and California State Parks and the National Park Service to promote cooperative efforts to prevent and—if necessary—defend against wildfire. MRCA Rangers are California Peace Officers as well as trained wildland firefighters.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

 

June 16, 2025 Update. Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority OPENS More Parks and Coastal Accessways Including Westridge Canyonback Trail. Some Remain Closed.

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 16, 2025) —The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today has reopened many of the Conservancy-owned and MRCA-managed parks and beach accessways that had been closed after the January 2025 Palisades Fire.

However, some parks, trails and beach access will remain closed.

MRCA Park Closures Include:

• Temescal Gateway Park
• Greenbriar Trailhead
• Vanalden Trailhead

Closed in the City of Malibu:

• Lechuza Beach at Bunnie Lane Entrance; 31736 & 31712 Broad Beach Road
• Via Linda Accessway At Carbon Beach
• Carbon La Costa Beach
• Maritime Rocks Beach
• Dolphin View Coastal Overlook
• Miramar Coastal Overlook

All other MRCA-managed parklands and beach accessways, including the Los Angeles River Recreation Zone, will be opened sunrise to sunset.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River

New Trail at King Gillette Ranch Named for Visionary Santa Monica Mountains Photographer

New Tom Gamache Inspiration Trail Leads from the National Parks Service Visitor Center to Spectacular Vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains

Calabasas, California (May 10, 2025)–At a ceremony  today celebrating the life of the most acclaimed photographer of the Santa Monica Mountains,  Tom Gamache, California State Senator Fran Pavley (ret.) dedicated a new trail built by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) in his honor.  The Tom Gamache Inspiration Trail is a new visitor-serving amenity that begins just outside the main entrance to the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch.  The easy .25 -mile trail  then crosses a footbridge over Stokes Creek, and climbs up to join the existing 1.2-mile Inspiration Point Loop Trail, offering stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Tom Gamache, 83, of Calabasas, CA, a gifted landscape photographer, passed away in October 2024. His acclaimed collaboration with author Matt Jaffe, Range on the Edge: The Santa Monica Mountains included 140 spellbinding images of the rocky outcrops, deeply wooded canyons and sycamore-shaded creeks that comprise the 46-mile Santa Monica Monica Mountain Range through the heart of California’s largest metropolitan area.

“Tom’s gorgeous photography convinced lawmakers all the way in Sacramento, who knew nothing about Southern California, that these beautiful mountains had to be saved,” said Senator Pavley.

A perfect compliment to the Visitor Center experience, the Gamache trail is easy and direct and will give newcomers to the area a taste of the Santa Monica Mountains, including a shaded stream. In no time at all, the hiker feels absorbed in the beauty of the mountains and its Mediterranean ecosystem created by the effects of the Pacific Ocean, hot, dry summers and cool wet winters.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity dedicated to the preservation and management of open space and parkland,  coastal access, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA works in cooperation with other government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, provide natural resources and scientific expertise, and complete major park improvement projects. The MRCA manages and provides ranger services and fire protection for almost 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy or other agencies and provides comprehensive education and interpretation and leadership programs for youth. It is one of the lead agencies providing for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

 

More MRCA Parks Reopened Not in Evacuation Zones

Parks remain closed in the Burn Areas

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 11, 2025) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) confirmed today that it has reopened most of its parks outside of the burn areas and evacuation zones of the recent Palisades Fire. All MRCA-managed parks and trails and beach accessways in the burn zones, including those in the city of Malibu and Topanga Canyon areas will remain closed until further notice. Once damage assessments can be made and restoration efforts are completed, many  favorite hiking trails and public use areas in the fire zones can be reopened.

“We feel park users can return safely to the parks that are not in the burn areas,” said Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez. “We appreciate the public’s  help in our efforts to keep the community safe.”

MRCA Park Closures Include:

• Temescal Gateway Park
• All Topanga Canyon Parks including  Top of Topanga Overlook, Tuna Canyon Park, Mill Creek, Redrock Canyon Park, Ed Edelman Park
• All MRCA Parks, Parking lots and Beach Accessways in and directly adjacent to the City of Malibu including Escondido Canyon Park, Sara Wan Trailhead, Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon
• Dirt Mulholland Drive
• San Vicente Mountain Park

Popular MRCA Parks Now Open:

• Wilacre Park
• King Gillette Ranch Park
• Franklin Canyon Park

The MRCA maintains its own fire division to protect resources on MRCA-managed properties, and works together with local fire departments, State and federal agencies, and the public to prevent wildfires, and—if necessary—to defend against them. In the current Palisades Fire incident, MRCA Fire Division defended Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades Fire area. MRCA also successfully defended structures in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in the Kenneth Fire. The MRCA will resume 24 hour patrol should there be another red flag incident.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

All MRCA Santa Monica Mountains Parks and Trails Closed Due to Fire Emergency. Northern MRCA Parks Open.

Parks also remain closed in the Evacuation Zone

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 18, 2025) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced that it would reopen most of its parks outside of the Santa Monica Mountains today. All MRCA-managed parks and trails, including those owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, in the Santa Monica Mountains, and in the fire evacuation zone, including Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, are closed to the public until the fire emergency is over. See list of closed parks below.

“Now that the  extreme wind event is over, we feel park users can return safely to our parks in the northern area,” said Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez. “We appreciate the public’s  help in our efforts to keep the community safe.”

MRCA Park closures include:

• Temescal Gateway Park
• King Gillette Ranch
• All Topanga Canyon Parks including  Top of Topanga Overlook, Tuna Canyon Park, Mill Creek, Redrock Canyon Park, Ed Edelman Park
• All MRCA Parks, Parking lots and Beach Accessways in and directly adjacent to the City of Malibu including Escondido Canyon Park, Sara Wan Trailhead, Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon
• Dirt Mulholland Drive
• San Vicente Mountain Park
• All Mulholland Overlooks
• Fryman Canyon Park and the Betty Dearing Trail
• Wilacre Park
• Franklin Canyon Park
• Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

The MRCA maintains its own fire division to protect resources on MRCA-managed properties, and works together with local fire departments, State and federal agencies, and the public to prevent wildfires, and—if necessary—to defend against them. In the current Palisades Fire incident, MRCA Fire Division defended Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades Fire area. MRCA also successfully defended structures in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in the Kenneth Fire. The MRCA is on 24 hour patrol now and throughout all red flag incidents.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

All MRCA Parks and Trails Closed in Santa Monica Mountains

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 13, 2025) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that all of its parks and trails in the Santa Monica Mountains are closed to the public until the fire emergency is over. In addition, many parks throughout the MRCA’s 75,000-acre jurisdiction in other areas are also closed. See list below.

“We appreciate the public’s  help in our efforts to keep the community safe,” said Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez.

MRCA Park closures include:

Temescal Gateway Park

King Gillette Ranch

All Topanga Canyon Parks including Tuna Canyon Park, Mill Creek, Redrock Canyon Park, Ed Edelman Park

All MRCA Parks and Beach Accessways in the City of Malibu including Escondido Canyon Park, Sara Wan Trailhead, Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon

Dirt Mulholland Drive

San Vicente Mountain Park

All Mulholland Overlooks

Fryman Canyon Park and the Betty Dearing Trail

Wilacre Park

Franklin Canyon Park

Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve

Wilson Canyon Park

Mentryville

Ed Davis Park at Towsley Canyon

Whitney Canyon Park

La Tuna Canyon Park

Lopez Canyon Park

Michael D. Antonovich Park at Joughin Ranch

Hidden Creeks Park

Rocky Peak Park

The MRCA maintains its own fire division to protect resources on MRCA-managed properties, and works together with local fire departments, State and federal agencies, and the public to prevent wildfires, and—if necessary—to defend against them. In the current Palisades Fire incident, MRCA Fire Division defended Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades Fire area. MRCA also successfully defended structures in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in the Kenneth Fire. The MRCA is on 24 hour patrol now and throughout all red flag incidents. Air quality in the region is unhealthy.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

MRCA Asks Public to Stay out of Parks, Follow Closures Due to Fire

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 10, 2025) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is asking for the public to stay out of all MRCA parks and off of trails until the current extreme wind event is over and all regional fires are contained. MRCA Fire Division personnel, as well as Park Rangers and operation staff who are also certified wildland firefighters have been working around the clock to defend and protect MRCA parkland under dangerous and challenging conditions.

“We appreciate the public’s  help in our efforts to keep the community safe,” said Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez.

All MRCA parks and trails in and around the current fire evacuation zones are closed. Information about the fire events, including maps of the evacuation zones are provided by L.A. County here.

MRCA Park closures include:

Temescal Gateway Park

King Gillette Ranch

All Topanga Canyon Parks including Tuna Canyon Park, Mill Creek, Redrock Canyon Park, Ed Edelman Park

Escondido Canyon Park

Dirt Mulholland Drive

San Vicente Mountain Park

All Mulholland Overlooks

Fryman Canyon Park and the Betty Dearing Trail

Wilacre Park

Franklin Canyon Park

Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve

Wilson Canyon Park

Ed Davis Park at Towsley Canyon

Whitney Canyon Park

The MRCA maintains its own fire division to protect resources on MRCA-managed properties, and works together with local fire departments, State and federal agencies, and the public to prevent wildfires, and—if necessary—to defend against them. In the current Palisades Fire incident, MRCA Fire Division defended Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades Fire area. The MRCA is on 24 hour patrol now and throughout all red flag incidents. Air quality in the region is unhealthy.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habit at, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles.

MRCA Fire Division Urges Fire Prevention in Los Angeles Hillsides and Canyons

After two years of record rain, and significantly high vegetation growth, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority urges residents to work together to prevent a local fire disaster.

LOS ANGELES (October 6, 2024)—As part of National Fire Prevention Week, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Wildland Firefighting Division is asking residents of the hillside and canyon areas of Los Angeles to work together to prevent catastrophic wildfires near their homes.  October through the end of the year is the Santa Ana Wind season when the most devastating wildfires occur in this area.

“This year has the potential  to be the worst fire season ever,” said Ken Nelson, Chief of the Fire Division of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, a local public agency that provides ranger and fire patrol of the Mulholland corridor and its parklands. “When there is a significant amount of growth  like there is this year, we firefighters call it ‘fuel loading.’ It means that the potential for a volatile wildfire is very high.   We need all residents to be alert to suspicious activities, particularly in the Mulholland Scenic Overlooks and open space areas. If you see activity that causes concern, call the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Ranger Services at 310 456-7049.”

Chief Nelson noted that in an emergency, residents should always first call 911.

The MRCA has placed  bright red high fire alert signs  at all of the scenic overlooks and at open space parklands throughout the hillsides and canyons of the Mulholland Corridor from Griffith Park west to the City boundary with Calabasas asking residents to alert MRCA to suspicious activity.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority works year-round to minimize the risk of fire in the more than 80,000 acres of open space it manages in the greater Los Angeles region.  The MRCA employs 45 full time, paid call, cadet and volunteer fire fighters—including its park rangers—who are wildland firefighters certified to the same standards as the U.S. Forest Service and CalFire. In this above average wildfire year in California, MRCA firefighters have assisted on seven events throughout the State—increasing their readiness for a local fire.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Fire Division maintains its own firefighting equipment to assist local fire departments in fighting wildfires and to provide fire patrol under high fire alert conditions.  Ranger patrol trucks are fitted with slip-ons, and provide flexibility in patrolling the narrow, twisty canyons that characterize the hillsides of the Mulholland corridor.  Rangers will be patrolling seven days a week during the high risk periods.

National Fire prevention week is October 6-12, 2024. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is a local public park agency dedicated to the preservation and management of open space, urban parkland, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat.  The MRCA manages almost 80,000 acres of public parkland and provides natural resources and scientific expertise, critical regional planning services, operations, fire prevention and ranger services, as well as education and leadership programs for thousands of youth each year.  It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River and its tributaries.