Colonies Residents

I want to take a moment to update Colonies residents on the progress made to address the vegetation overgrowth and to reduce the fire risk caused because of the overgrowth.

Over the past few months, I have been working in close partnership with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, County Flood Control, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to address the vegetation overgrowth in and around the flood control basin, particularly in the "gooseneck" area near Tanglewood and Colonies Parkway. This area poses the highest fire risk to nearby homes.

Back in April, County Fire initiated a review of the area’s existing environmental maintenance permits with state wildlife officials to determine if we could expand the scope of fuel reduction work. Since then, County Fire and Flood Control—along with environmental teams—have completed a detailed vegetation mapping plan. Nearly two acres have now been identified for treatment. The original environmental maintenance permit only allowed for 0.12 total acres to be maintenance for fire hazard.

The priority areas are those closest to homes, where work will have the most protective impact. We’re currently in a waiting period due to the state’s restrictions during nesting bird season. Once that period ends, County Flood Control will begin scheduling the actual abatement and clearing work. While field operations have not started yet, planning is complete, and we are in the queue for implementation.