Unprecedented land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes prompts fire department to put residents 'on notice'

Fire officials are warning residents affected by the ongoing landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes that shifting roadways will increase response times and in some cases make access impossible.

City Manager Ara Mihranian told residents this week that the Los Angeles County Fire Department had observed safety concerns in multiple areas.

“The fire department requires a six-minute response to your properties and there was a concern based on the conditions of the roads the six minutes would not be adhered to in some areas,” he said.

The city is now working with the fire department to open another access road.

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Mihranian also said that if a wildfire breaks out in one of the landslide areas in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, firefighters will not be able to have boots on the ground. Instead, they would have to let the fire burn toward a “strike zone” firefighters will create around a perimeter.

The fire department is also concerned about the “structural integrity” of some properties within the landslide complex. And the fire chief, Mihranian said, was worried firefighters won't be able to enter some properties because of extensive damage.

Those conditions resulted in the city making home inspections mandatory starting this week as officials decide which ones to red tag, making them uninhabitable.

Utility shut offs

Earlier this week, SoCalGas turned off service to 135 homes indefinitely because of the accelerated land movement. Now, Mihranian told residents they should prepare for the possibility of SoCalEdison shutting off power.

“SCE basically said we have a concern regarding the entire landslide complex area and wires snapping, poles snapping and causing a potential wildfire risk in a very high fire severity zone,” he said.

The city is now asking SoCalEdison to split the power grid. If power is shut off, landslide mitigation efforts will also be compromised, Mihranian said, as some of the dewatering wells rely on electricity. The sewer system in the Portuguese Bend community, as well as the telecommunication facilities, are all connected to the same grid, as are homes outside of the landslide area.

The utility provider will also begin monitoring the Seaview neighborhood as well as the Upper Portuguese Bend area with drones starting Monday.

Resources for residents

Some ways residents can checked for updates:

• SoCalEdison has created a webpage where residents can find up to date information regarding the power and the landslide complex
• Rancho Palos Verdes residents are also encouraged to sign up for alerts and know their evacuation zone via www.pvpready.gov
• SoCalGas site for Rancho Palos Verdes residents (they're offering $2,500 to account holders)
• The Portuguese Bend Homeowners Association website