DATE:
January 28, 2025
17
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECTTitle
ENHANCING CLEARING AND BRUSH MANAGEMENT EFFORTS TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK IN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AND WAIVE BOARD POLICY A-72 (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
We have seen historic fires throughout California and the western United States in recent years, including the significant fires that recently ravaged Los Angeles. Given the severity and destructive power underscored by these fires, it's clear we must always be prepared for this very real risk in San Diego County. This must include having an effective clearing and brush management program in place. Proactive wildfire risk management is critical for reducing both the frequency and severity of wildfires. One of the most proactive steps we can take as a region is to eliminate or significantly diminish the amount of overgrown vegetation in the wildland-urban interface areas (areas of transition from wilderness to developed land). This includes removing things such as dead plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees - all of which provide for hazardous wildfire fuels. By deliberately managing dead and overgrown vegetation we're able to better contain and reduce the intensity of future fires. While the focus is to protect human lives and property, effective clearing and brush management also helps contain fires and slows their spread, making emergency response efforts easier for firefighters and first responders in the air and on the ground.
When it comes to clearing and brush management, we should explore all available tools and options including both traditional and modern solutions. One such tool includes employing the use of livestock to clear areas for defense against wildfires. For example, the use of goats and sheep for clearing, which eat a variety of types of vegetation and can navigate challenging terrain commonly found in the unincorporated areas appears to be an effective and common-sense approach to reduce wildfire fuels in the Cou...
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