Date:
August 19, 2026
05
To:
Board of Supervisors
Title
Receive a Presentation on Regional Wildfire Preparedness (Districts: All)
End
Overview
San Diego County remains one of the nation's most wildfire-prone regions. Since the devastating wildfires in 2003 and 2007, the County of San Diego (County) has made significant investments to strengthen regional wildfire preparedness through expanded fire protection resources, aviation capabilities, community risk reduction programs, emergency management, and regional coordination with local, state, federal, tribal, and special district partners. Despite these investments, wildfire risk remains high due to continued fuel accumulation, climate change, increasingly dry conditions, and longer, more intense fire seasons.
On January 28, 2025 (16, 17), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) took several actions to support San Diego County's status as a national leader in wildfire mitigation and response which included directing County staff to conduct a comprehensive review of wildfire preparedness in the region. As part of that review, staff were to evaluate opportunities to strengthen regional aerial firefighting response, including identifying a modern helicopter platform capable of conducting nighttime firefighting operations. On June 3 (14), 2025, the Board received a presentation on wildfire preparedness in the region and directed County Fire to return annually with an update on regional fire preparedness. On October 21, 2025 (5), County Fire returned to the Board to present its findings and request authorization to purchase a Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk to be operational by Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Today's presentation provides an update on wildfire conditions, County Fire regional preparedness, aviation enhancements, technology, community risk reduction initiatives, and emergency management. Investments in fire protection and wildfire preparedness continue to improve emergency response capabilities, an...
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