A standing-room-only crowd of over 100 San Diegans learned about the latest wildfire prevention efforts that include a new “Zone 0” that advises removing all greenery and wood chips within five feet of a home.
The two-hour town hall meeting for San Diego City Council District 5 residents was held on April 18 at the Rancho Bernardo Library.
“They did a good job and were helpful,” said Rancho Bernardo resident Ellen Counts, who lives in the Seven Oaks neighborhood. “I got something out of this, like ways to plant and hazards that we can see.”
Julie Conidi, another Rancho Bernardo resident who also lives in Seven Oaks, said she learned that the ice plant frequently seen in the area is “highly flammable.”
Conidi said the state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps — discussed that evening — are “confusing.” She also expressed concerns over enforcement of vegetation clearance, especially in open space areas, along canyons and properties where owners are less vigilant about following recommendations.
Marie Cashion, a Rancho Peñasquitos resident, said she was concerned about wildfire in the canyon near her and being able to evacuate along Peñasquitos Drive. Her concerns were amplified after seeing how traffic got backed up when there was a wildfire in January on a hillside between Rancho Bernardo and PQ.
“We are across the street from Rolling Hills Elementary,” Cashion said. While her home was not ordered to evacuate, the school was and parents flocked to the area to get their children.
District 5 City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, whose office organized the meeting, spoke about the Rancho Bernardo fire, along with one in Poway that both prompted evacuations in January.
“2025 started off quite scary for people, with the fires in Eaton and Palisades … and then in January, the second week … San Diego experienced five fires, which were all put out by our firefighters,” von Wilpert said to applause as she thanked the firefighters present.
“One of the game changers is we have fought hard in the city for our aerial assault resources,” von Wilpert said. “We have wildfire helicopters that we did not have in 2003 for the Cedar fire. … We have fantastic wildfire helicopters, incredible wildfire pilots and mechanics too who make sure those helicopters can go up in our city and we have a great ground assault team.”
Von Wilpert said she is pushing hard during the city’s current budget talks to ensure these resources remain funded as the city looks for ways to close a $258 million budget deficit.
“These are not nice to have,” she said. “If you call 911 you want a professional answering that call, showing up on time, so my number one budget priority remains public safety and then roads.”
San Diego Fire-Rescue Fire Marshal Tony Tosca spoke about the “Ready Set Go” resources to help residents harden their properties, prepare a go-bag and create an evacuation plan. Some suggestions he gave to harden one’s home against blowing embers include having dual-pane windows, no vegetation against a home and installing a fire-resistance barrier between a wood fence and the house.
“This stuff works,” Tosca said, noting the more fire-resistant a home is, the better firefighters are able to defend it during a blaze.
Residents received several handouts and were directed to websites for more information. Copies of the slides shown were to be emailed out to attendees. Those not in attendance can request them by emailing Alisha Supanekar at [email protected] or calling 619-533-3980.
Details on how to request a Real Estate Defensible Space Inspection — the fee is $118 — are at tinyurl.com/SDfireresources. It is required when one sells a property in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, but will be available starting July 1 to other property owners who want a fire official to give them guidance.
“It is the most enhanced risk assessment you are going to get,” Tosca said. “Defensible space, the new Zone 0 education, home hardening guidance that we can give you but also … it tells you what the insurance companies are looking for.”
The website is also where residents can find information on the city’s weed abatement and brush complaint program, proactive brush management program (a door-to-door brush assessment of privately-owned properties on a canyon rim in very high hazard severity zones) and annual weed abatement vacant lot program. The site also has a free guide to brush management for property owners, erosion control guidance when a site is damaged by fire and other informational resources.
Also mentioned was the Knox Box Program, a means for San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel to quickly and easily access a secured building — such as a house — during an emergency. It minimizes potentially costly repairs caused by forcible entry and lets the building be re-secured quickly and easily, according to its website, tinyurl.com/SDKnox.
For example, this is a feature seniors might want to purchase if they have limited mobility and need to be evacuated by emergency personnel, Tosca said.
“I didn’t know about some of the resources (mentioned tonight),” Cashion said, noting she is especially interested in the defensible space inspection program.
San Diego Police Capt. Michael Ramsay from Northeastern Division advised attendees to various apps on their cell phone to stay informed. He said the Genesys Protect app gives real-time information that is especially useful during emergencies. It can be accessed through Google Play, the Apple Store or at protect.genasys.com.
While the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps released on March 24 and subject to revision in coming months show where state and local officials have said the greatest fire risk exists, speakers emphasized that insurance companies have their own maps used to determine s and these could vary from the state maps.
Sharon Smith with the California Department of Insurance spoke about rates and why they keep going up, in addition to people losing coverage. Factors include more intense wildfires due to climate change, inflation impacting rebuilding costs (labor and supplies), the higher rates insurance companies pay in the global market for their own coverage and growing risk in states such as California.
“They see the risk in California and this is driving their decisions,” Smith said, adding “the rates can’t keep up with the rising costs.”
If homeowners receive a nonrenewal notice, Smith said they need to their insurer to see if there are specific actions they can take to mitigate their risk and retain their coverage. In California, insurers must give a minimum 75-days notice before the policy expires and if the nonrenewal was unfair, they can file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance. They can also try to obtain coverage in the “surplus lines” market. These are not backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association, but could be an option.
She said the FAIR plan is the “insurance of last resort” and encouraged people to try finding coverage through other insurance companies, even those without big name recognition, before the FAIR plan due to its cost. Those with questions can call 800-927-4357 for insurance advice.
Other topics discussed included fire risk posed by homeless encampments, open space brush management — especially that within the 925 acres that are part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department — and ways for residents to report issues and concerns. They included using the city’s Get It Done app.
