DATE:
May 24, 2022
01
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
FOX FIRE CENTER: ENHANCING FIREFIGHTER TRAINING, FIRE PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY THROUGHOUT THE REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) is currently in the process of regaining ownership of Camp Fox, which is located within the Cleveland National Forrest at the base of Palomar Mountain. In 1977, the County transferred the property to its current owner, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). The deed granting ownership required SDCOE to return the property to the County if SDCOE no longer wanted to own it. With SDCOE no longer interested in the property, ownership will now transfer back to the County.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) would like to use Camp Fox as a fire center for new CAL FIRE personnel. In advance of the property transferring back to the County, SDCOE recently granted CAL FIRE access to the site to prepare the facility for use, which will be called the Fox Fire Center. This agreement permitted CAL FIRE to make improvements to the property, investing significant resources to clear overgrown vegetation and update the aging buildings. Once renovations have been completed, four CAL FIRE Firefighter 1 hand crews will inhabit the property, providing 24-hour wildland fire protection coverage.
Today's action, consistent with the San Diego County's cooperative approach of providing a greater depth of resources by partnering with CAL FIRE and providing services as one department, permits CAL FIRE to continue its use of Camp Fox as a fire center following the transfer of ownership to the County. This is imperative to the fire safety of the region and actively supports the Board of Supervisors ongoing commitment to protecting residents and property against the threat of wildfires.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to reach negotiate an agreement with...
Click here for full text