Zones are used by public safety officials such as the police and fire departments to quickly and efficiently notify residents when action is required: for instance, the need to reduce combustible materials around your home; a community fire hazard; and evacuation warnings and orders.
Courtesy of the University City Fire Safe Council, here is what you need to know about three of the Fire Zones:
- Zone Zero is one of three Defensible Space Zone (Zones 0, 1, 2) designations for SDFD guidelines to create a fire break around a home and property. Make a house and property less likely to catch fire by removing items that can burn – combustible materials like plants and trees, firewood and trash – in the first five feet (Zone Zero) next to the outside walls of the home structure. Details are on page 4 of the SDFD Ready Set Go guide at : https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/community-outreach/safety-tips/ready-set-go
- Zone Zero enforcement: Existing home and property owners in Very High Fire Severity Zones must take proactive steps to meet Zone Zero guidelines by February 2027, in order to be in compliance with the state’s requirements. Update at: https://www.insidesandiego.org/state-mandated-zone-zero-requirements-set-go-effect-build-wildfire-resilience
- High Fire Hazard Severity Zones were developed and recently updated by Cal Fire and SD Fire to classify lands in accordance with whether a very high community fire hazard is present. Much of San Diego including University City has been designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Details about the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and an interactive map for San Diego are on the SDFD page at : https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/community-risk-reduction/fire-hazard-severity-zones
- Evacuation Zones have been designated by emergency agencies and Genasys Protect to help first responders inform people about evacuation warnings and orders in times of emergency. Download Genasys Protect and turn on your location to get notified about danger and evacuation warnings and orders wherever you are. Details are available on the SD OES page at: https://www.sandiego.gov/oes/informed
For more information from the SD Fire-Rescue Department about community fire risk reduction and home inspections, visit : https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/community-risk-reduction/wildfire-preparedness
Attend the Fire Safe Council Information Session on February 16 to learn more about how to Fire Safe Your Place.
Mon, Feb 16: Zone Zero, Defensible Space, and Home Hardening for Fire Safety
