Tougher Fire Safety Rules OKd by Anaheim Council

ANAHEIM —  Tougher fire protection standards will become effective in east Anaheim next month in response to a state law designed to prevent deadly brush fires like the one that swept through Oakland Hills four years ago.

The new regulations, approved by the City Council this week, affect hills and canyons south of the Riverside Freeway and east of the Costa Mesa Freeway.

Under the new city law, homeowners will be required to install devices to prevent sparks from flying out of fireplaces and stove pipes and to remove dead plants around their homes.

In addition, fire-resistant roofing will be required for new structures and for existing buildings that undergo major re-roofing.

Residents are generally responding in a positive manner to the more stringent regulations, Anaheim Fire Chief Jeff Bowman said Thursday.

“Many of them are already in compliance,” Bowman said, noting that the city increased fire prevention efforts three years ago in east Anaheim. “And the rest should not look at this as a threat. . . . They should look at it as an opportunity to improve fire safety.”