The recently released wildfire assessment report has revived a debate over the fate of some of the city’s trees north of Sunset Boulevard. The report significantly scales back the number of trees recommended for removal by earlier reports, from about 1,200 to only 100. As comments in the two public hearings made clear, for some residents, the new number is far too low and does not do enough to harden the at-risk area against wildfires. For others, it remains too high and threatens the verdant identity of the neighborhoods.
The topographical conditions of the area north of Sunset make it ripe for wildfires. With steep hillsides and deep canyons, the landscape can function as a wind tunnel, especially during dry and windy Santa Ana events.
