Strategic Fire Plan San Diego Unit (MVU) - Board of Forestry and ...

SECTION V: PRE FIRE MANAGEMENT TACTICS
A: DIVISION and BATTALION
CAL FIRE’s fire protection objective states that a system of basic fire protection will be provided so that
damages to life, property and natural resources will be held at or below a level acceptable within social,
political and economic constraints. Board of Forestry and Fire Protection designates in the Fire Plan
(1995) that CAL FIRE will strive to contain 95% of all unwanted fires at 10 acres or less. (Fire Operations
Manual, the Fire Protection Objective, Section 7001.2 (October 2002).
To meet this objective, the San Diego Unit fire operation is organized by two field Divisions (Southern
Division and Northern Division) and two conservation camp Divisions (McCain and LaCima Camps
Division located in the Southern Division and Puerta La Cruz and Rainbow Camps Division located in the
Northern Division). The field Divisions provides fire fighting leadership and coordination for seven
battalions (three Battalions in the Southern Division and four Battalions in the Northern Division). The
Camp Divisions provides nineteen handcrews based at four conservation camps (two camps in the
Northern Division and two camps in the Southern Division). Additionally, Monte Vista Inter-agency
Emergency Command Center (ECC) provides emergency services command, communication and
support services for fire operations. Air Operations, based at Ramona Air Base, provides fire fighting
leadership and coordination of both fixed and rotary winged aircraft to support fire operations.
The following information is provided by the field Battalion Chief regarding pre-fire/resource management
activities associated with the Unit Fire Plan. Field Battalion Chiefs provide the direction and leadership to
propose and implement projects for life, community and natural resources protection. Moreover, Field
Battalion Chiefs are integral component at community level.
Southern Division – Battalion 2 (Monte Vista)
1. OVERVIEW:
Battalion 2 (Monte Vista) is located in the southeast corner of San Diego County. It is bordered by the
Republic of Mexico to the south, San Diego City being to the west. The administrative boundary for
Battalion 2 includes the communities of Jamul, El Cajon, Alpine, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee,
Lakeside, Chula Vista and San Diego City; and the Battalion is approximately 170 Square miles and
107,000 acres. Listed below are the fire agencies within the battalion.
· San Miguel Fire Protection Dist.
· Alpine Fire Protection Dist.
· Rural Fire Protection Dist.
· Sycuan Reservation Fire Dept.
· Lakeside Fire Protection Dist.
· El Cajon Fire Dept.
· La Mesa Fire Dept.
· Santee Fire Dept.
· Chula Vista Fire Dept.
· San Diego City Fire and Rescue Dept.
San Diego Rural Fire District contracts with CAL FIRE for rural fire protection services (Schedule A
contract). Additionally, San Diego County Fire Authority provides round staffing (stipend firefighters) to
staff two San Diego Rural Fire Protection District fire stations (Dehesa and Harbison Canyon Fire
Stations).
The rural fire protection in Battalion 2 is described as heavily populated rural/suburban environment. The
Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating for the departments with in the Battalion are:
· San Miguel FPD: 4.9
· Alpine FPD: 4 – 9
· Rural FPD: 5 – 9
· Lakeside FPD: 3 – 9
· El Cajon: 2
· La Mesa FD: 2
· Santee DF: 2
· Chula Vista FD: 3
· Lemon Grove FD: 3
· San Diego City F&R: Not Required
Fuels, Weather, and Topography
The Battalion consists of mostly annual Grasses, and typical Southern California Chaparral Species (fuel
models 1, 2, 6, and some areas of fuel model 4). These types of fuels commonly support and promote
rapid fire growth and development during peak fire season. In terms of weather conditions, the hottest
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