San Diego Urban Wildfire

San Diego Could be the Next Palisades

To further protect residents and mitigate wildfire risks, the City of San Diego must place a moratorium on new construction in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) that more than doubles the existing density until comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation measures are completed. This temporary pause will allow the city to:

• Plan – Establish a framework for wildfire resilience by analyzing historical data and current risk factors.
• Assess – Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in fire-prone areas and evaluate infrastructure needs.
• Understand – Develop updated evacuation plans based on community-specific challenges and resident needs.
• Secure – Improve firefighting infrastructure and emergency response capabilities to ensure safety in high-risk zones.
• Execute – Strengthen building codes and land use policies to prioritize wildfire resilience and enforce best practices for future development.

By implementing this moratorium, the city can take a proactive approach to wildfire management, ensuring that future development aligns with safety, sustainability, and long-term community resilience.

Our efforts were well received by the San Diego Community Planners Committee who voted to write a letter supporting the emergency moratorium.

View the presentation.

View the meeting.

Below is the letter from the CPC to the city.

The full list of letters and endorsements can be viewed here.