Quote Originally Posted by Raiders22:
Good stuff
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-07-21/audit-san-diego-wildfire-risk-could-be-lowered-with-more-consistent-comprehensive-brush-management
Today's paper San deigo,
California
SAN DIEGO — A new audit says San Diego should boost its wildfire prevention efforts by more closely monitoring 3,000 acres of city land in high-risk areas and revamping inconsistent policies governing the removal of flammable brush.
The 35-page audit says proactive efforts are especially crucial with climate change and extreme drought raising local wildfire risk. It comes as San Diego enters the region’s peak fire season, which runs from July through October
The report says San Diego lacks comprehensive oversight of brush management, which results in inconsistent and potentially ineffective efforts by some of the 10 city departments that oversee land with high fire risk.
The audit criticizes the city’s Fire-Rescue Department for not proactively monitoring and inspecting city-owned land in high-risk areas, practicesit says are common for fire departments in other cities.
It recommends a citywide brush management policy that would ensure consistent efforts and compliance, primarily by unifying the approaches taken by various city departments.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department — which controls 2,039 of the high-risk acres — is praised in the audit for having a comprehensive approach that includes “regular and effective” brush management.
In contrast, the city’s Transportation and Public Utilities departments are criticized for brush management policies that are “primarily reactive” and “generally less systematic.” Public Utilities controls 649 acres and Transportation 206.
Auditors used 3,203 as the number of acres needing close wildfire monitoring based on the city’s general definition of high wildfire risk zones. But they note that the actual number is somewhat lower than that.
In response, Dargan praised the recommendations and noted that some related progress was made before the audit.
Departments engaged in brush management efforts have been meeting to discuss best practices, he said. The Fire-Rescue Department has been pursuing grant opportunities and working with other city departments to create and refine maps of high-risk areas. Fire-Rescue has also asked for new employees who would be classified as wildfire mitigation specialists.