Submitted By: Community Development
Prepared By: Adam Atamian, Community Development Director
Subject:
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RESPONSE TO 2025-2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT "WILDFIRES HIT HOME"
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Summary:
On May 13, 2026, the City received the Orange County Grand Jury report entitled "Wildfires Hit Home." The report examines wildfire risk reduction through home hardening, defensible space, community outreach, and related preparedness efforts. It also discusses the relationship between those efforts and insurance availability and affordability challenges affecting Orange County residents. Responses to the report are required to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court by August 18, 2026.
Background:
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury report, "Wildfires Hit Home," is provided as Attachment 1. The report was transmitted to the City on May 13, 2026 and was marked "Confidential" pending its public release on May 19, 2026. It is now public.
The Grand Jury report identified six Findings (p. 31 of Attachment 1) and four Recommendations (p. 32 of Attachment 1). The City is required to respond to Findings 1 through 6 and Recommendations 2 through 4. California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05 require the City to respond to applicable Findings and Recommendations and establish the requirements for those responses. The applicable California Penal Code sections are included as Attachment 2. Responses must be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court by August 18, 2026.
Discussion:
Staff has prepared proposed responses to the applicable Findings and Recommendations for the City Council's consideration. The proposed responses are presented below, and included in the draft response letter provided as Exhibit A of Attachment 3.
Findings
Based on its investigation entitled "Wildfires Hit Home," the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury identified six findings requiring a response from the City. Below are the findings and proposed responses.
F1...
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