Los Angeles parklands are getting a serious Fourth of July escort this year, with more than 80 wildland fire-trained Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority personnel fanning out across the region on the night of July 4. Their goal is simple, if not exactly festive: stop wildfires before they start and crack down on illegal fireworks.
The operation will stretch from coastal Malibu through Mulholland Drive to the 118 corridor and Santa Clarita, with engines and water tenders staged at key access points. Officials are warning that some of the city’s favorite overlooks and parking areas may shut down early, and patrols will not hesitate to issue citations where needed.
How MRCA Is Rolling Out Its Fourth Of July Force
In a press release from MRCA, the agency described an “all hands” style deployment. More than 50 fire-protection personnel, including full-time, seasonal, paid call-out and volunteer wildland firefighters, will be out on patrol aboard Type 3 and Type 6 engines.
Eleven pieces of firefighting equipment, among them Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders, will be strategically placed across MRCA jurisdiction. On top of that, about 30 rangers, operations staff and public safety officers will be focused on high-traffic areas, handling both safety patrols and enforcement duties.
Where The Heat Is On, And What Shuts Down Early
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, the agency is putting a special spotlight on Mulholland Drive, Topanga Canyon, the 118 corridor and Malibu. The Jerome C. Daniel and Universal overlooks on Mulholland will close by 6 p.m., while other overlooks along the road will close to vehicles at 5 p.m. Barriers and extra signage are being added for the holiday weekend to keep things orderly.
Topanga will have security guards working alongside MRCA rangers overnight, with coordination from Topanga Arson Watch volunteers and the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station to keep an eye on any suspicious sparks.
Why Officials Are Going So Hard This Holiday
MRCA Chief Fire Management Officer Ken Nelson told MRCA that the mix of dry brush, fireworks and warm weather has created a heightened fire danger, and said “our crews are well-trained and ready to respond.”
The agency points out that its rangers are California peace officers who are also trained wildland firefighters, responsible for more than 80,000 acres of MRCA-managed parkland across the region. MRCA says it keeps constant communication lines open with city and county fire departments, so if a blaze does start during the holiday action, response can be coordinated quickly.
What Holiday Visitors Are Walking Into
Visitors heading for the views on Mulholland should expect “No Stopping” signs and temporary barriers along portions of the road, and the City of Los Angeles has committed LAPD, LADOT and Recreation and Parks ranger staff to support the Mulholland operation, the Santa Monica Daily Press reports.
MRCA also said equipment and patrols will be pre-positioned at coastal hotspots, including Winding Way and Lechuza Beach, to keep an eye on heavily used access points. Holiday visitors are being urged to follow posted signs, skip personal fireworks and give park crews room to work, so the only thing burning on the Fourth is the barbecue.
