West Ranch High School Live Fire Training

Summary

SCH Number
2024110740
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Document Title
West Ranch High School Live Fire Training
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/21/2024
Document Description
The West Ranch Highschool live fire training exercises provide the Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel not only the opportunity to safely and effectively undergo Prescribed Fire and Fire Suppression tactics, but also protects valuable infrastructure, all while creating community awareness to the benefits of prescribed fire. The West Ranch High School lies adjacent to the upmost northern side of the Santa Susana Mountain range, is approximately 65 acres in size, and is categorized by CALFIRE as being within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). The identified training ground is a 5.5 acre altered cut slope made up of 4, 50 ft wide, sectional stepped dividers, with cement inslope paving that is about 2 ft wide in-between each sectioned area. These stretches of land extend about 2 miles around the school’s recreational field, the upper levels have irritation lines installed and have concrete culverts in place. This identified area, which is on the southwestern edge of the parcel, is mostly inhabited by California Buckwheat, Sand Coprosma, Maltese Star-thistle and some Purple Sage. As described, the concrete layout and moderate slope provide an ideal training opportunity to personnel and as a secondary benefit, will remove invasive thistle and encourage native flora to return. Type 1 Hand Crews will prep the area by thinning vegetation and improve control lines. Fire Apparatus will be operated from existing roads/motorways to pump water for the progressive hose lays. No heavy equipment will be operated off pre-existing roads or previously undisturbed soil surfaces.

Contact Information

Name
Evan Conklin
Agency Name
Los Angeles County Fire Department - Forestry Division
Job Title
Deputy Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

Location

Cities
Santa Clarita
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Valencia Blvd and Old Rock Rd
Zip
91381
Total Acres
5.5
Parcel #
2826-009-902
State Highways
I-5
Schools
West Ranch High School
Township
T04N
Range
R16W

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
fits under portions of Class 4 Categorical Exemption described in CCR 14 Section 15304 pertaining to minor alterations to the land. County of Los Angeles Fire Department Foresters has conducted a limited environmental review of the project. The exceptions that must be considered by the lead agencies are a) sensitive locations, b) cumulative impacts, c) significant impacts due to unusual circumstances, d) impacts to scenic highways, e) activities within hazard waste sites, f) significant adverse change to significance historical resources (14 CCR Section 15300.2). Field review by LACoFD Forestery staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at Natural Resource Section Office in Pacoima.
County Clerk
Los Angeles

Attachments

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