Council looks at new gully fire code proposal

Newport Beach City Council members will hear recommendations today for fire code changes concerning Buck Gully.

Newport Beach Fire Marshal Steve Bunting will present the new fire code recommendations at a 3 p.m. study session in City Hall.

The gully’s potential fuel — overgrown brush and other plant life — has been a topic of discussion for the city for more than a decade.

A deal was struck between a Buck Gully residents group and the Newport Beach Fire Department in 1997, giving the bulk of responsibility in clearing brush to property owners, but many don’t tend to the dangers until the city gives them violation notices.

Bunting has said in the past that under the right conditions, a fire in Buck Gully would spread into Corona del Mar neighborhoods and begin to jump home-to-home.

While not revealing his recommendations until the session, Bunting said they will be more in line with state fire marshal standards with some modifications.

— Daniel Tedford