Climate change will likely increase all the key drivers of wildfires - high temperatures, dry conditions and flammable vegetation. San Diego is projected to experience wildfire risks to be of equal or greater severity than in recent decades. More frequent and larger wildfires can result in greater smoke production, increasing air pollution both locally and regionally. Smoke from wildfires negatively impacts public health, including worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure.

• Brush Management Guidelines - These guidelines describe brush management requirements and techniques.
• Brush Management Regulations and Landscape Standards - This overviews City code requirements for creating and managing defensible spaces/brush management zones between development and wildland-urban interface areas.
• Open Space Parks Brush Management Program - This overviews the Parks and Recreation Department’s brush management of City-owned open space areas.
• Erosion Control - This webpage provides resources to property owners on erosion control for sites damaged by fires.
• Fire Code - This webpage provides the most recent California Fire Code (2022), which includes wildfire prevention and response updates.

Fire season in California is year-round. Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or canyons. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate open space areas as well as communities. Wildfires can be dangerous, so it is important to be prepared. Children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to the effects of wildfires. Wildfire preparedness is key to protecting yourself, your community and your property from the damages of fire. Check out the resources below so you can be ready and stay fire safe!

• Information on preparing for wildfires:
  • Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide
  • Printable Emergency Label Checklist
  • What is your fire risk?
  • Wildland Fires Safety Tips
  • Make an Emergency Plan
  • Ready.gov: Make a Plan
  • Ready.gov: Wildfire Resources
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Wildfire Resources
• Information on Wildfire Smoke Health Risks
• Learn more health effects of wildfire smoke
• Protect your health from wildfire smoke
• Tracking fires in California:
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • AirNow