Fire Safety

As a long-time resident of the backcountry, and having witnessed first-hand the devastation in his own community caused by the 2003 Cedar Fire, Supervisor Anderson is painfully aware of the need for major investments in fire prevention and suppression. As your County Supervisor, Anderson pushes for innovative ways to help homeowners manage defensible space and harden their homes, as well as ensuring local fire agencies have the resources they need to effectively respond in emergencies. In his first year as County Supervisor, Anderson funded a plan to clear overgrown vegetation alongside roads in high fire threat areas, directed County staff to mitigate community impacts of Public Safety Power Shutoffs, streamlined emergency ambulance services in the greater Santee / Lakeside area, and more.

Board Letters


Establishing an Agricultural and Livestock Pass Program in the County of San Diego

Author/Co-Author
Supervisors Anderson & Desmond
Letter Date
08/30/22
Summary

VOTES: 5-0 (PASS)
The Board unanimously passed the Chief Administrative Officer's plan to establish an "Ag Pass" program at the recommendation of Supervisor Anderson and Supervisor Desmond. Agricultural passes ("Ag Pass") allow vetted ranchers and farmers limited access to their property, when deemed safe, during a wildfire or other emergencies to care for their livestock or crops. Physical Ag Pass cards will be granted to eligible owners so they may be easily identified by emergency personnel during such emergencies. Upon passing this board letter, the Board voted to establish an Ag Pass program for the unincorporated area of San Diego County, and full implementation of the program is planned for the Fiscal Year 2023-24.

Enhancing Wildfire Safety on County Roads (With Supervisor Desmond)

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Anderson & Supervisor Desmond
Letter Date
03/16/21
Summary

VOTES: 5-0 (PASS)

More than half of the County’s unincorporated communities are located within high or very high fire severity zones. Fire safety, including the ability to evacuate, is of utmost importance to the residents living in rural areas. This board letter directs County staff to identify public roads where an additional ten feet of vegetation clearance should occur and to develop an implementation plan for that vegetation clearing.  

Initiation of Dissolution of CSA No. 69 and Transfer of Funding and Admin Oversight for Ambulance Services to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District as Successor Agencies

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Anderson
Letter Date
08/31/21
Summary

VOTES: 5-0 (PASS)

Approval of this item directs County staff to continue the efforts to transfer funding and administrative oversight responsibilities for County Service Area No. 69 (CSA 69) to the City of Santee and the Lakeside Fire Protection District. The resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors authorizes staff to request that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) begin the process of dissolving CSA 69 and reorganizing its governing structure.  


Related News


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County Fire Reaches New Heights with Mt. Laguna Fire Station

News Date
05/05/22
Short Description

County Fire, CAL FIRE and the community of Mt. Laguna on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the County’s highest elevation fire station, sitting at about 6,000 feet.

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SDG&E Provides Aid During Communities Time of Need

News Date
10/27/22
Short Description

During the Border 32 Fire, SDG&E remained in routine communication with elected officials and other agency stakeholders, as they often do during such emergencies, to promptly address critical local needs and concerns.

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Board Votes To Oversee Grant Program To Harden Homes In Rural Communities

News Date
06/17/22
Short Description

The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 14 to establish a Home Hardening Program as part of a state pilot program to encourage homeowners to create fire-resistant homes.

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Survivor Recounts Harrowing Escape from Border 32 Fire

News Date
11/10/22
Short Description

On the scorching day of August 31, 2022, Sanjuana Fukuda was sitting outside her home drinking her usual morning coffee. She was aware of a fire in the area but figured the fire had a long way to travel before reaching her secluded mountain area.

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Support Provided to Border 32 Fire Survivors

News Date
09/15/22
Short Description

County Emergency Services opened a Local Assistance Center Monday to support those affected by the Border 32 Fire. 

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Jamul Indian Village Serves Border 32 Fire Victims Fleeing Homes

News Date
11/03/22
Short Description

"It is in our blood to give back and help and this was just an opportunity to do so," expressed Erica Pinto, Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman.

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County Hosts Local Assistance Center for Border 32 Fire Victims

News Date
10/27/22
Short Description

On Monday, September 12, the County hosted a Local Assistance Center (LAC) to support the victims of the Border 32 Fire.

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San Diego supervisors OK passes to allow farmer, rancher access during natural disasters

News Date
08/30/22
Short Description

County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a program that will allow farmers and ranchers access to their land during a wildfire or other type of emergency or natural disaster.

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Guest column: Protecting our region from wildfires

News Date
04/16/21
Short Description

Those of us who live in San Diego County know that the best way to protect our homes and property from wildfires is by doing whatever can be done, not during or after a crisis, but before an event occurs.

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County Begins to Place Long-Life Batteries in Traffic Signals as Prep for Outages, Emergencies

News Date
10/08/21
Short Description

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, prompted by Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson, called in March to look for ways to reduce the potential impacts of the shutoffs, including backup power at major intersections.

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Notes from Joel: Prepare against wildfires

News Date
08/13/21
Short Description

With hot temperatures and strong winds approaching San Diego County, it’s time for us to prepare for potential wildfires. East County is especially prone to wildfires, so each of us has an individual responsibility to prepare ahead of time and be ready to evacuate. Although the backcountry is typically hit the hardest, it’s not unlikely that a fire could start in the Mission Trails area.

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San Diego County Supervisors OK Federal Pandemic Funds To Help Fire Districts

News Date
08/31/21
Short Description

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved transferring $4 million in federal funds to independent fire protection districts to help them combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

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San Diego County officials tout wildfire response, urge residents to prepare

News Date
07/16/21
Short Description

County leaders presented plans Friday for a quick response to wildfires and discussed recent investments in wildfire prevention. During a press conference at Gillespie Field in which they residents were urged to take steps to protect their homes, Supervisors Joel Anderson and Nathan Fletcher were joined by representatives from Cal Fire, the county Fire Protection District, San Diego Sheriff's Department and San Diego Fire-Rescue.

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County: Be ready for wildfire risk

News Date
07/30/21
Short Description

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors July 13 approved spending $2.5 million on roadside vegetation management, followed by a July 16 Wildfire Preparedness bulletin generally warning East County residents: wildfire prevention is being funded but residents have to plan ahead.

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Fire Prevention & Suppression Grants Awarded to County

News Date
12/17/21
Short Description

At the December 7 meeting, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved receiving more than $5 million in grants for wildfire prevention, suppression, and preparedness, such as creating defensible space and increasing training.

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Local officials unite in preparing for wildfires

News Date
05/04/22
Short Description

County of San Diego officials joined Cal Fire and partner agencies at the Ramona Cal Fire Air Attack Base Monday to share information about preparing for wildfires.