Wildfire Mitigation Pilot Program Launches In San Diego County

DULZURA, CA — A program to help residents protect their homes from wildfires has started in the Dulzura area of San Diego County.

The California Wildfire Mitigation Program provides defensible space and retrofits to harden homes against wildfires, according to a news release from the county.

The program aims to help high social vulnerability communities and provide assistance to qualifying low- and moderate-income households. In many cases, Cal Fire San Diego provides the work at no cost to the homeowner, according to the county.

At one home, contractors removed trees and brush from areas right next to a home to create defensible space. Then construction contractors moved in to replace combustible materials, untreated wood trim, a wood deck, nylon window screens, and vents in the foundation and roof to further protect the home from wildfires.

Funding for the pilot program was provided by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.