Wildfire preparedness information from Del Mar City Manager and Fire Chief

Dear Residents,

The fires in Los Angeles County are devastating and underscore the need for coastal communities like Del Mar to be prepared for times when fire conditions are high. The City of Del Mar takes fire prevention and response planning seriously and is committed to working alongside the community to minimize risk and ensure safety.

The City and the Del Mar Fire Department remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of our residents through comprehensive preparedness, response planning, and collaboration with regional partners.

The Del Mar Fire Department is fully staffed and, through mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions, is prepared to respond promptly and effectively to all emergencies within the City of Del Mar. Considering the current red flag weather event, the County of San Diego has provided additional resources by pre-positioning a strike team consisting of five fire engines and 20 firefighters to respond to potential wildland fires throughout the county, including within the City of Del Mar.

The City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which was recently updated in July 2024, is a comprehensive document that provides for a coordinated response to all hazards by City staff and emergency partners.

Complementing the EOP, the Crest Canyon Evacuation Plan serves as a vital tool to enhance the safety of residents. This plan supports firefighting and law enforcement personnel in coordinating safe and efficient evacuations, prioritizing life-saving measures, and fire suppression efforts.

To prepare for wildland fire events, the Del Mar Fire Department engages in extensive county-wide training with regional fire departments and law enforcement agencies. These joint training exercises ensure uniformity in standard operating procedures, strengthening the department's ability to manage emergencies effectively and efficiently.

The City also emphasizes wildfire prevention and mitigation. In partnership with the Del Mar Fire Department and EDCO, the City offers a fuel reduction program each summer to assist residents in clearing hazardous vegetation. As part of this program, residents in the Wildland-Urban Interface area receive notices from the City informing them of mandatory property inspections and brush clearance. Furthermore, the Fire Department conducts annual and state-mandated fire inspections of schools, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and multifamily buildings to identify and reduce structure risks, ensuring the community remains as safe as possible.

In the coming months, the Fire Department will host a Fire Preparedness workshop for residents. We hope to see many community members in attendance! More details to come on this.

How Residents Can Stay Safe:

1. Visit the City's Emergency Preparedness webpage to learn more about how you can prepare for an emergency.
2. Develop an emergency plan to help you, your neighbors, and your loved ones prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency or disaster.
3. Register cell phones and email address with AlertSanDiego , the notification system used by first responders to alert you in the event of an emergency.
4. Sign up for power outage alerts from SDG&E.
5. Download the GENASYS PROTECT and SD Emergency apps for alerts.
6. Remember it is important to plan before the emergency happens, to evacuate early and follow all fire and law enforcement emergency orders.

Be prepared, be safe, and let us know if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Ashley Jones, City Manager

Josh Gordon, Fire Chief

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