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SB79 will eliminate residential zoning by creating a statewide overlay that will allow five to seven story buildings on any land within a radius of transportation even if the transportation services are planned decades in the future without funding. Why this is an urban wildfire risk has to do with housing density in areas that…
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The City of San Diego has published an interactive map of the proposed 2025 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to amend the base map published by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. The changes are very good! Hopefully, the city will apply good policy regarding density, infrastructure, and fire safety/rescue using this…
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As Los Angeles reels from the devastating loss of 16,251 structures and 29 lives in the Palisades and Eaton fires, city, county, and state are studying the ashen landscape to learn how we can better survive the next urban wildfire. Those lessons will be essential in crafting new policies for land use, building codes, infrastructure…
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A Visual Guide to the Changes Despite the Fire Hazard Zone Maps released March 26th 2025 by the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) increasing the amount of acreage included state wide, there are significant reductions within the urban areas of San Diego. This is primary due to the new method considering climate, slope,…
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Lack of Brush Management is the Fuse to the San Diego Powder Keg The Office of the City Auditor made seven recommendations to San Diego leadership in July of 2023 regarding brush management on City owned land. All of the recommendations were accepted, however, the COO that signed off on the advice had their position…
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CoreLogic Property Data Science Team Takes a Hard Look CoreLogic provides property industry professionals with access to big data and cutting-edge analytics solutions, including location intelligence. In this study, CoreLogic examines the impact of wildfire risks on property values in San Diego County, since it is one of the California counties most vulnerable to these disasters. The property data…
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A Perspective on Fighting Urban Wildfire The trusty neighborhood fire hydrant, the anchor of fire safety and pissoir of the pooch is understood less than we might imagine. The purpose of a hydrant is to create a readily available supply of water for fighting a house fire in urban and suburban areas where a water distribution…
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San Diego faces an increasing wildfire threat due to prolonged droughts, Santa Ana winds, and expanding urban development. As the city continues to grow, Smart Growth principles offer a sustainable approach to reducing wildfire risk while supporting responsible urban planning. Proper Infill Strategies Smart Growth encourages compact, infill development in lower-risk areas rather than expanding into Very…
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As wildfires become more frequent and intense, urban planning plays a critical role in reducing risk and ensuring community resilience. Thoughtful development strategies can help mitigate wildfire impacts while fostering safer, more sustainable cities. Strategic Land Use Planning Urban planning should prioritize development in low-risk areas while limiting expansion into Very High Fire Hazard Severity…
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As wildfire threats continue to escalate, cities are turning to innovative technologies to enhance early detection, response, and mitigation efforts. From remote cameras to drone surveillance, modern solutions are transforming urban wildfire management. Remote Camera and Sensor Monitoring One of the most effective advancements in wildfire detection is the use of remote cameras and sensor…