County Must Improve Wildfire Prep to Avoid Catastrophe

It only takes one spark. A downed power line, a stray ember carried by the wind or a sudden shift in the weather can turn a quiet afternoon into a disaster. We’ve seen it before. The wildfires of 2003 and 2007 devastated San Diego County, destroying thousands of homes, displacing families and leaving a lasting mark on our region. These fires weren’t just tragedies — they were hard lessons. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, we can never afford to be complacent.

Wildfires are a reality of life in Southern California. We can’t control the Santa Ana winds but can control how well we prepare for them. Since my time on the Board of Supervisors, I have prioritized fire safety, ensuring that we’re not caught off guard when a fire ignites. We’ve significantly strengthened our ability to fight fires and protect lives and property through strategic investments and proactive measures.

Over the past several years, we’ve enhanced aerial firefighting capabilities by investing in a twin-engine firefighting helicopter that can operate at night, providing 24/7 aerial suppression when it’s needed most. We’ve also partnered with SDG&E to bring in a powerful helitanker, adding another layer of fire response to our region. In addition to these aircraft, we’ve implemented heli-hydrants in unincorporated areas, dramatically improving our aerial water access for faster, more efficient firefighting.

On the ground, we’ve expanded brush management programs, investing millions to clear hazardous vegetation and reduce fire risk in vulnerable areas. We’ve prioritized roadside vegetation management along major evacuation corridors to ensure that when residents need to get out, they have clear and safe escape routes. Fire protection districts in high-risk areas like Valley Center and Deer Springs have received additional funding, bolstering their ability to respond to emergencies. Meanwhile, we’ve worked closely with CalFire to ensure more personnel and resources are in place to protect our communities.

But despite these efforts, we cannot ignore the warning signs. The devastating fires in Los Angeles have raised serious concerns for San Diegans. People are asking: Could that happen here? Are our reservoirs full? Is our brush cleared? Do we have enough water resources to combat a firestorm? These are not hypothetical questions. They are urgent issues that demand immediate action.

That is why, at our next Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, I will introduce a comprehensive wildfire preparedness plan that further strengthens San Diego’s fire response. The plan calls for acquiring another twin-engine helicopter and additional water tenders, ensuring we have the equipment necessary to fight fires day and night. It also mandates a full assessment of our regional vulnerabilities, including a review of open spaces, fuel management practices, reservoirs and water infrastructure to determine whether we have the necessary resources to combat wildfires effectively.

Coordination among agencies is another critical element of this plan. I am calling for the San Diego County Water Authority and fire districts to publicly present a detailed wildfire preparedness report, ensuring transparency and accountability in our readiness efforts. We must also evaluate the reliability of our water supplies for firefighting, particularly in high-risk areas. This includes upgrading infrastructure, expanding water mains, ensuring reservoirs and treatment plants can meet emergency demands, and adding more heli-hydrants for rapid aerial water deployment.

Another growing concern is the impact of wildfires on homeowners. Many residents in fire-prone areas are seeing their insurance policies skyrocket — or worse, disappear altogether. Insurance companies are withdrawing coverage or drastically increasing premiums, leaving homeowners with few options. This is unacceptable. As part of our wildfire preparedness efforts, I will push for state-level action to prevent insurers from abandoning high-risk communities. We need to explore policy changes that ensure residents can access affordable and reliable insurance without being penalized for living in areas prone to wildfires.

San Diego’s emergency response teams are still operating with aging, single-engine helicopters from the 1960s and 1970s, while other regions have modernized their fleets. That is unacceptable. Los Angeles, for example, relied on modern twin-engine helicopters and mobile water tenders to contain fires before they spiraled out of control. We must do the same. We cannot rely solely on mutual aid from neighboring counties, which takes time to mobilize and may not be available when multiple fires are burning across the state. We must be self-sufficient, prepared, and ready to act the moment a fire starts.

We’ve seen what happens when governments fail to act. The fires raging through Los Angeles are a tragic consequence of overregulation and failed policies that have left families vulnerable and homes unprotected. That cannot happen in San Diego. Our approach has always been rooted in prevention, preparation and rapid response, and that is what will keep our communities safe.

I am calling on my colleagues at the Board of Supervisors to approve this wildfire preparedness initiative without delay. If we wait, we risk catastrophe. We have an opportunity to act now — before another tragedy unfolds.

San Diego has learned from the past, and we will not repeat the mistakes of those who failed to prepare. Our commitment must remain unwavering: to protect lives, homes, and the communities we cherish. It only takes one spark to start a disaster, but with the right strategies, investments, and leadership, we can ensure that when the next fire comes, we are ready.

Desmond represents District 5 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and lives in Oceanside. 

Supervisor Jim Desmond | January 24, 2025 | Opinion | San Diego Union-Tribune

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