Growing Threat of Wildfires in Urban Areas

• Devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Pasadena/Altadena highlight an urgent need for action in San Diego.
• San Diego’s infrastructure, climate, and resources mirror Los Angeles, making us equally vulnerable.
• The Normal Heights fire of 1985 demonstrated the catastrophic potential of wildfires within San Diego’s urban areas.
• Extreme wildfire is not limited to sparsely populated rural towns.

What Are Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones?

• Defined by the State of California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal
• Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications:
• Moderate
• High
• Very High (VHFHSZ)
• California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include
• California Public Resources Code 4201-4204
• California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 1280
• California Government Code 51175-89
• These are areas with extreme fire risk due to vegetation, topography, and weather conditions.
• San Diego has significant portions of land classified as VHFHSZ.

San Diego’s Risk Profile Mirrors Los Angeles

VHFHSZ Los Angeles & San Diego

Normal Heights Fire

Eaton Fire

Palisades Fire

Zones are mostly around foothills

Zones are mostly around canyons

Life and Property Cost Trends

Life and Property Cost Trends

Life and Property Cost Trends

Life and Property Cost Trends

1985 Normal Heights Fire: A Warning Ignored

• Destroyed 76 houses and damaged 57.
• Better firebreak management, infrastructure updates, and evacuation planning were promised.
• Many of these measures remain unfulfilled 40 years later.
• San Diego has a history of missing infrastructure goals.
• MEANWHILE…
• Infill construction continues in VHFHSZs.
• Increases in population impact existing infrastructure and evacuation routes.

Water Infrastructure Backlog

Public Utilities Department Water Prioritization 2013

• 10 miles of cast-iron mains in the City are decades old and present significant integrity issues.

Fire Station Funding 5 Year Projection

• Funding Sources: Otay Mesa EIFD, Community & Citywide DIF, Financing, & Infrastructure Fund
• Five Year Total Deficit = $278.1 Million

Density within VHFHSZ: �Current State of Affairs

Planned Density Increase Example

Planned Density Increase Example

Density Incentives

All San Diego density incentive programs may be used in VHFHSZ when built following California Building Code Chapter 7A

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• Affordable Homes Density Bonus Program
• 100-Percent Affordable Density Bonus Program
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bonus Program
• Also eliminates or reduces setbacks between homes accelerating risk of fire spread.
• Complete Communities Housing Solutions
• SB9 Lot Splitting
• Must also comply with Public Resources Code §51182
• Adds defensible space, vegetation management, road access, and water supply to requirements.

Chapter 7A: Limitations

• 7A is intended to “resist building ignition and/or safeguard against the intrusion of flames resulting from small ember and short-term direct flame contact exposure.”
• Direct flame exposure requirements:
• Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing: 10 minutes.
• Exterior Windows: 8 minutes.
• Horizontal Projection: 10 minutes.
• Applies only for roofing as of 2005
• Applies only to new construction after 2008.
• 7A Means of Egress is for evacuation routes from building only.

Evacuation

• Evacuation is always the best course.
• Without proper city planning
• Routes may be grid locked (Palisades Fire)
• Police may be unavailable for traffic control due to competing priorities (Montezuma Fire)
• Pole mounted utilities create a risk of being downed and blocking evacuation routes.
• Those without access to cars may have difficulty evacuating (Cedars Fire)
• No car, inability to drive, tourists using ride-share, etc.
• Shelter in place communities must be built as green-field projects

Protect San Diego

• Whereas
• Wildfires are an immediate threat to San Diego
• Evidence from Palisades and Eaton Fires demonstrate extreme risk
• Current fire infrastructure in San Diego cannot mitigate this risk
• The residents of San Diego request that the City of San Diego
• Place an emergency moratorium on all infill construction projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of San Diego that more than double dwelling unit density until comprehensive risk assessments and mitigations are completed.
• CPC vote1/28/25 (23-3) in favor.