City Council

(32) 26-0674-S1 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT relative to requesting a report on the costs associated with Los Angeles Fire Department responses to rubbish and vegetation fires within Caltrans right-of-way areas. Recommendations for Council action, pursuant to Motion (McOsker - Yaroslavsky): 1. DIRECT the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and any other relevant departments, in coordination with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), to report with an analysis on the total number and frequency of LAFD responses to rubbish and vegetation fires over the past three years and the current Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and the number and percentage of those fires that occur within the Caltrans right-of-way. 2. DIRECT the CAO and the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), in coordination with the Office of the City Attorney and LAFD, to report on: a. The estimated costs associated for the City with these Caltrans right-of-way responses, including personnel costs for the last three years and the current Fiscal Year 2025-2026. b. The feasibility, legal authority, and process required for the City to seek reimbursement or cost recovery from CAL FIRE, Caltrans, or other responsible State entity. c. Any existing agreements, policies, or precedents related to interagency cost-sharing or reimbursement for fire response services in State-controlled infrastructure areas, and whether these frameworks can be revisited or renegotiated to achieve cost savings. 3. REQUEST that Caltrans report on whether it maintains or participates in encampment resolution programs within its right- of-way, including coordination with local jurisdictions. This report should detail current policies, protocols, and resources dedicated to services, shelter, housing, and the success or failure of such efforts. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.