Public Safety
CAL FIRE C-130 Hercules firefighting tanker performing a retardant drop on the Sorrento Fire

San Diego County Officials Detail Wildfire Readiness as Fuel Conditions Deteriorate

| 10:57 AM

Reading Time: 4 minutes

San Diego County fire, emergency and law enforcement leaders outlined sweeping investments and coordinated plans to confront a high-risk wildfire season, citing critically dry fuels, Santa Ana winds and rapid regional growth as the chief concerns. Officials said the county has expanded staffing, modernized equipment and strengthened cross-agency coordination to protect communities across one of California’s most active wildfire regions.

Agriculture
Two Black Cows in a field at the Ramona Grasslands

Ag Pass Offers Help During Disaster

| 5:09 PM

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Disasters and wildfires threaten lives and businesses in San Diego County each year.  Often people are forced to gather up their most important possessions and evacuate to safety. But commercial livestock operations may be too large to evacuate all their animals immediately and need to return as quickly as possible to care for animals. Farmers also must abandon their operation, leaving crops and critical infrastructure unattended for extended periods. Now, operators can apply for an Agricultural and Livestock Pass (Ag Pass) program to return to an evacuated area to help when the threat diminishes.