Sen. Blakespear Presents Check to Mission Viejo to Fund Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

PHOTO: Sen. Blakespear presented the Mission Viejo City Council with a check for $850,000 on Tuesday night at the city’s Council Chambers. Left to right are Council Member Cynthia Vasquez, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Goodell, Sen. Blakespear, Mayor Wendy Bucknum, Council Member Trish Kelley and Council Member Bob Ruesch.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, on Tuesday night presented the City of Mission Viejo with an $850,000 check to fund wildfire mitigation efforts. Sen. Blakespear was able to secure the funding from the 2026-27 state budget. 

“Throughout Southern California, we need to aggressively manage our lands and remove trees and vegetation that could fuel fire and threaten our communities. That’s why I was thrilled to secure $850,000 from the state budget to help the City of Mission Viejo in its ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire.”

-Senator Catherine S. Blakespear

“This project is one of the city’s many proactive measures to keep the community safe, and we sincerely appreciate the Senator’s strong support.”

- Mission Viejo Mayor Wendy Bucknum 

WHY IT MATTERS

The $850,000 in state funding will help the city remove dead or dying trees, unwanted palm trees and non-native vegetation from approximately 72 acres of natural habitat that is adjacent to residential and commercial areas. This will improve defensible space, reduce wildfire vulnerability and enhance evacuation routes and first responder access while protecting environmentally sensitive open spaces.

MORE BACKGROUND

The tree removal is part of Mission Viejo’s hazardous fuels reduction initiative, which includes using goat grazing on 30 acres to naturally remove vegetation in sensitive, and tough to reach, areas near creeks and in canyons. 

In addition, the project will support native habitat restoration, improve slope stability, reduce erosion and protect wildlife habitat through coordinated efforts with the Orange County Fire Authority, biological consultants and contractors. The project is expected to take about two years to complete.

As the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires demonstrated in January 2025, there is no longer a traditional fire season in California – wildfires can break out at any time. Communities must continually work to eliminate potential fuel for fire and be prepared year-round. 

In a letter to Sen. Blakespear, Mayor Bucknum wrote: “On behalf of the grateful residents of the City of Mission Viejo, we extend our sincere thanks for your leadership, advocacy, and support. Your efforts to secure this funding will make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the safety, resilience, and environmental health of our community.”

SENATOR BLAKESPEAR’S RECORD

• Sen. Blakespear has worked to bring state funding to communities across Senate District 38 to support important local programs and initiatives and improve the quality of life. Sen. Blakespear has also secured from the 2026-27 state budget $3 million for interim housing units in Oceanside, $2 million for Vista to operate a homeless shelter and $1 million for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center. 
• In 2025, Sen. Blakespear secured $1.175 million in funding through the state budget to revitalize and expand Mission Viejo’s Oso Creek Trail.

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.