Dangerous fire weather is predicted for the next several days in Southern California. And San Diego, federal and state fire officials are taking no chances. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.
CalFire and U-S Forest Service officials say additional equipment, crews and aircraft are available in case of wildfire in the county.
CalFire's Ned Nickerson says five fire engines from Northern and Central California will arrive in the county by Sunday afternoon.
Nickerson: We've made contact with both the Marine Corps and the Navy to have military aircraft immediately available for response this weekend. This is in addition to the county and CalFire aircraft and federal aircraft at stand-by in Ramona, at Gillespie and at Fallbrook.
The U.S. Forest Service plans to move 10 air tankers into the region this weekend, including two in Ramona.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Chief Tracy Jarman says property owners need to do their part too.
Jarman
: Have you thinned the vegetation around your home, have you created that 100-feet of defensible space that'll make a difference whether your home burns or not. And probably more importantly, have you trimmed the ornamental vegetation closer to your home. We found that the screen that you built between the two homes is often what catches fire and ignites the eaves, the wood shake shingles and is the reason that your home burns down.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders says the city has beefed up its efforts to reduce the spread of wildfires by clearing brush.
Sanders:
We're now spending over $3 million per year to thin nearly 600 acres of brush in canyons and parks abutting homes and structures each year.
He says the city is getting $1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to clear brush from city-owned property to protect against wildfire.
Drought the past three years means vegetation is dry, creating conditions ripe for wildfire.
Ed Joyce, KPBS News.
