Fountainwood Q&A: Serge Morales

Homeowners along Eagleton Street in the Fountainwood neighborhood are upset about a law requiring them to pay for brush clearance on Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority-owned land near their properties.

Already required to clear brush up to 100 feet, Fountainwood residents are now required by state law to remove "defensible space" or provide defense from an approaching wildfire up to 200 feet around their own property and if permission is granted, on adjacent property.

Twelve-year Fountainwood resident Serge Morales, 74, was shocked when the Los Angeles County Fire Department showed up at his house in May with a notice to clear the overgrown brush on the slope behind his home. Morales voiced his concerns at the Aug. 11 City Council meeting.

Patch sat down with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Mountain Bike Unit volunteer to hear what he had to say.