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.
Nearly half of California’s largest and most damaging wildfires occurred in 2020 and 2021, burning almost 7 million acres, according to the county’s Communications Office. But there are proactive steps people can take to prepare their home and communities to be more resilient to the impacts of wildfires.
Create defensible space around properties by maintaining lawns and removing combustible debris from around a home.
Use fire-resistant materials for construction, renovation and landscaping to help protect a property.
Make and share a family wildfire emergency plan. Talk to neighbors about wildfire safety and plan how the neighborhood can work together before and after a wildfire.
County Board of Supervisors Chairman Nathan Fletcher said the county has prepared to respond to wildfires by investing more than $600 million in firefighting capabilities since the 2003 Cedar fire.
“Those investments have improved fire protection and emergency medical services, added staffing, fire stations, made communication enhancements, increased training and brush management,” Fletcher said. “We’ve also added more ground and air equipment.”
Supervisor Joel Anderson said the supervisors also voted to spend $1 million toward grants to help people reinforce their homes as protection against fires.
“We also worked so that when you need to evacuate a place like Ramona, Alpine or Fallbrook the roads aren’t restricted,” Anderson said. “We’ve cut back all the trees along the evacuation routes, so people have a chance to get out.”
The event was the first of a statewide campaign to help Californians prepare for wildfires. Cal Fire’s director showed some of the agency’s newest equipment. He was joined by representatives from the California Natural Resources Agency, U.S. Forest Service, California Office of Emergency Services, the California Military Department and California Highway Patrol.
“San Diego County is unique, and I believe we are one of the most prepared regions in the United States,” said Cal Fire San Diego Fire Chief Tony Mecham. “The reason that we are so prepared is we have a mindset of collaboration and cooperation.
To learn more about wildfire safety and preparedness, visit readysandieog.org.
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