READER’S EDITORIAL: GREATER DENSITIES INCREASE FIRE DANGER TO EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS

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An open letter to Supervisor Dianne Jacob

By Lou Russo

Photo: Alpine fire April 14, photo by Billy Ortiz

April 14, 2014 (Alpine) -- As I watched the news today, and as I watch the City of Carlsbad news conference, a flood of memories return.  In particular, I am reminded of the Cedar fire, but also all the places currently at risk; e.g. Fallbrook, San Marcos, Bonsall, Camp Pendleton.  I spent over 20 years in that area, including years off Hwy 76 in Oceanside, near Bonsall.

Many of those cc'd on this email lived through the Viejas, Cedar, Horse, etc. fires here in Eastern Alpine; many of them lost their homes.

As I write this, Jim Easterling has forwarded to the Alpine Community Planning Gruop (ACPG) members that Alpine currently has one, let me repeat that, one fire truck left in Alpine...the rest have all left to support other agencies.

As I type this, out my back window I can see the wind traveling west, right down the Sweetwater River canyon...which borders Cleveland National Forest and all its fuel. As I write this, there is currently a fire in Lakeside, a few exits down the freeway.



Earlier today, Interstate 15, Highways 76 and 78 were closed.  Traffic on Interstate 5 was at a crawl.  As you are aware, these are all multi-lane arteries.  Let me repeat that...the largest transportation arteries in the County were parking lots.  (Interstate 8 here is two lanes each way and Alpine Blvd is a total of two lanes.)

The City of Carlsbad is reporting that 8 homes, three businesses and a condo complex have been lost so far.  A city!  A city with good streets, large fire department and fire hydrants!

As you are aware, from the minority letter I sent you regarding the ACPG final input for the former FCI lands (input from the ACPG that had densities 60% greater than what the residents of Eastern Alpine approved as their input) that the former vice chair, now chairman made a series of statements that were untrue.  One of those statements to the group, that influenced their vote, was that dense development prevents/stops wildfires.  We see before our eyes today that that is completely false.  It was false when he made it, and it is being proven false as I type.

As we move toward the vote on the part of the BOS, the residents here in Eastern Alpine want you to know that our density recommendations push the limit of firefighting capabilities, road access/egress and a myriad of other factors put forth by your staff.  The ACPG recommendation BOS will see does NOT represent the residents and quite frankly, as we see today, puts us in Eastern Alpine at severe risk from fires.  Look to the east of us Dianne.  It's ALL fuel.  

Look at the way the winds blow during these Santa Ana's.  It's directly from this fuel to our homes.  Look at the topography.  It's stacked against us for fires.  Finally, look at the road structure.  

We will be lucky to get out.  We CANNOT live with the densities the developers/realtors/builders on the ACPG majority want.  TODAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THE PROOF IS IN FRONT OF OUR EYES!



Lou Russo is a member of the Alpine Community Planning Group. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 


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