Most residents in the Deer Springs Fire Protection District are considered to be living in or very near the Wildland-Urban Interface or WUI. The WUI is the zone of transition between wildland (unoccupied land) and human development. The WUI is further divided into the "Interface Zone and the "Intermix Zone." The Interface Zone consists of development adjacent to undeveloped wildland vegetation while the Intermix Zone consists of lower density development intermingled with wildland vegetation. CAL FIRE's Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) lists the majority of the Deer Springs Fire District as High or Very High on its Fire Hazard Severity Zone map. The threat of wildfire is always present from sources within or from outside the District.

Those not living right on the chaparral's edge or immediately close to an active wildfire face no less a fire threat from wildfire. High wind conditions, which are often a contributing factor to major wildfires, can carry embers long distances. If embers land on a "receptive fuel bed" such as more vegetation or combustible materials adjacent to structures, fire is likely to result. Homes within a mile of native vegetation, are in the so-called "ember zone" where residents living on a city lot are most likely to experience a "spot" fire under the right wind conditions and presence of combustible material. Post-fire research has found that two of every three homes destroyed during the Witch Creek fire in 2007 were ignited directly or indirectly by windblown embers that traveled more than a mile. Analysis of the disastrous 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California and vicinity documented embers igniting spot fires as far as 7 miles ahead of the fire front. Australian fire authorities and researchers have confirmed bush fires generating spot fires from ember travel of more than 20 kilometers (12 miles).

There is no longer a "fire season" as we once knew it. Fires are occurring with increased frequency throughout the year.  Our District has not experienced a major wildfire (greater than 100 acres) in more than 50 years. It has, however, been directly affected by wildfire in 2004 and 2007. The Paradise Fire (Valley Center) had entered the eastern border of Daley Ranch and the order was given to put the east end of Hidden Meadows and the North Broadway area on evacuation standby. Thankfully, a wind shift made that evacuation unnecessary. In 2007, the Poomacha Fire was driving westward into Valley Center from the Rincon area and evacuation of the District was ordered. Fire crews managed to blunt the attack in eastern Valley Center saving countless homes and the fire never advanced into the District. That could change with the next "big one."

All of us living in the WUI need to plan ahead for that next wildfire whether it is the big one or a few acres that threatens a handful of homes. The ancient Greek poet and soldier Archilochus observed: "We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training." Firefighters train and prepare. Residents must do the same to their level of ability. We must be prepared to act on our own if we need to. The most important factor in wildfire survival is you and it is imperative that you take responsibility for preparing yourself, your family, and your property.

It is our hope that readers will be motivated to approach wildfire preparation with the understanding that personal and family member safety as well as the survivability of their homes can be largely determined by their planning and preparation.

Click here to view the May 2024 Defensible Space Inspection mailer.