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DATE: |
February 25, 2025 |
12 |
SUBJECT: REDUCING FIRE DANGER THROUGH EMERGENCY ENCAMPMENT CLEARINGS DURING RED FLAG WARNINGS (DISTRICTS: ALL)Title
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OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego faces a significant fire risk due to homeless encampments in high-risk areas. In January alone, multiple fires-including the Friars Fire in Mission Valley, the Center Fire in Rancho Bernardo, and the Gilman Fire in La Jolla-originated in homeless encampments. These fires have threatened homes, destroyed property, forced emergency evacuations, and put the lives of both first responders and residents in danger.
In Los Angeles, 54% of all fires in 2023 were attributed to homeless encampments, with similar trends emerging in the Bay Area and across California. Wildfire remains an ever-present threat in San Diego County, where dry conditions, high winds, and dense vegetation create a constant risk of disaster.
Homeless encampments, often located in canyons, riverbeds, and other fire-prone areas, add an unpredictable and dangerous element to this equation. Open flames used for cooking and warmth, combined with flammable debris and a lack of fire prevention measures, pose a serious fire hazard-not only to surrounding communities but also to those living within the encampments themselves.
Today's action prioritizes public safety by directly addressing the fire risks posed by homeless encampments and implementing proactive fire prevention measures. By improving the process of emergency encampment clearings to address fire risk, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of devastating wildfires. Wildfires do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, making regional coordination essential. Therefore, today’s action also calls for collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions to enhance fire prevention efforts and strengthen public safety across the region.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in 90 days with (1) a report on current County policies and practices on removal of illegal encampments, including emergency removal based on fire risk; (2) recommendations to improve the process of removing illegal encampments.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify high fire-risk areas within the County that have significant homeless encampments and prioritize these locations for removal and the issuance of stay-away orders as deemed appropriate.
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to work with other jurisdictions interested in implementing similar measures to enhance regional fire prevention efforts.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The year-round threat of wildfires disproportionately impacts rural, low-income, and underserved communities in San Diego County, where limited water infrastructure and resources heighten vulnerabilities. About 79% of the County's unincorporated area is designated as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. More than 80% of County Fire’s jurisdictional area qualifies as a disadvantaged unincorporated community based on a San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission report on funding, administration, and performance of the former County Service Area No. 135 (now San Diego County Fire Protection District).
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This proposed action contributes to the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal of protecting the health and well-being of all San Diegan residents. Enhancing public safety is of paramount priority for the County’s more vulnerable residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the actions requested in Recommendation 1 are included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operational Plan for the Departments of Park and Recreation, Public Works and Planning and Development Services based on existing staff time. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years associated with Recommendation 1. There may be fiscal impacts associated with future related recommendations which staff would return to the Board for consideration and approval.
Funds for the action requested in Recommendation 2 are included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operational Plan in for the Departments of Park and Recreation, Public Works and Planning and Development Services based on existing staff time. There may be additional fiscal impacts associated with future encampment abatements. Depending on the number and complexity of the abatements, additional funding may need to be identified. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years associated with Recommendation 2.
Funds for the action requested in Recommendation 3 are included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operational Plan in County Fire and Office of Emergency Services based on existing staff time. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years associated with Recommendation 3.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego has long been vulnerable to devastating wildfires, with major incidents such as the 2003 Cedar Fire and the 2007 Witch Creek Fire serving as stark reminders of the region’s fire risk. The Cedar Fire, ignited by a lost hunter’s signal fire, consumed over 273,000 acres, destroyed 2,820 structures, and resulted in 15 fatalities. Similarly, the Witch Creek Fire burned nearly 200,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,200 homes, and led to widespread evacuations. These disasters underscore the urgent need for proactive fire prevention strategies, particularly as wildfires continue to increase in frequency and intensity.
A key tool in fire prevention and emergency preparedness is the Red Flag Warning, issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are ripe for extreme fire behavior. These warnings indicate a combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, creating an environment where fires can ignite and spread rapidly. In San Diego County, red flag conditions typically occur in the late summer and fall when Santa Ana winds sweep through the region, rapidly drying out vegetation and accelerating the risk of fast-moving wildfires. However, as we witnessed just a few weeks ago, these conditions can occur year-round.
When a Red Flag Warning is in effect, local agencies increase staffing, impose restrictions on outdoor burning, and urge heightened awareness from the public to prevent fire outbreaks.
Actions taken during red flag warnings include:
1. Possible Public safety power shutoffs by SDG&E
2. Outdoor burning restrictions
3. Reminders regarding vehicle equipment maintenance
4. Reminders regarding not using outdoor equipment
5. Staging additional firefighting personnel and resources
Homeless encampments present an additional and unpredictable fire hazard within this already volatile landscape. Encampments are frequently established in fire-prone areas such as riverbeds, canyons, and brush-heavy open spaces, where access to emergency services is limited, and evacuation can be challenging. The use of open flames for cooking and heating, along with flammable materials and improper waste disposal, creates conditions where a small spark can escalate into a major fire. Given the high-risk nature of these locations, addressing encampment-related fire hazards is critical to protecting both the surrounding community and those who live in the encampments.
Recent fires in San Diego County, including the Friars Fire in Mission Valley, the Center Fire in Rancho Bernardo, and the Gilman Fire in La Jolla, have all been traced to homeless encampments. These incidents highlight the pressing need for immediate action to reduce the risk of fire-related disasters. Without intervention, fires stemming from encampments will continue to threaten residential communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources, placing lives, property, and emergency responders at unnecessary risk.
Today's action takes a proactive approach to fire prevention by improving the process of emergency encampment clearings to address fire risk, prioritizing high-risk areas for removal and stay-away orders, and fostering collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions. By implementing these measures, the County of San Diego aims to enhance public safety, mitigate wildfire risks, and ensure a coordinated regional effort to prevent future tragedies.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed action supports the Community (Safety) Initiative of the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan by ensuring equitable fire service regionwide.
Respectfully submitted,
JIM DESMOND
Supervisor, Fifth District
ATTACHMENT(S)
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