Supervisor Bob Buster,  Fire Chief John Hawkins and Dale Huchinson working together to prevent the Santiago Fire from crossing the Cleveland National Forest into Temescal Valley.

Fire Spares Riverside County

Danger loomed large last month when multiple fires threatened residential areas throughout Southern California. Fortunately for Riverside, quick responses by county firefighting forces kept numerous smaller blazes from getting out of hand in our community. For example, a potentially dangerous fire next to homes and at the base of steep mountains in Lakeland Village-Wildomar areas was kept from spreading and extinguished without damage to any structures.

As these fires continued to approach Riverside, Bob took measures to ensure the safety of residents without creating panic.
 
At one point, the smoke and ashes from the Santiago Fire in Orange County were so severe in the Temescal Valley that many residents feared the fire would soon break over the Cleveland National Forest ridgeline and threaten homes there. My office called an emergency public meeting in the community to inform residents on the current state of the fire and prepare them if an evacuation was later needed. Top county, state and federal officials had good news for the more than 500 residents who attended. The Santiago Fire was slowing down and would be contained before it crossed over into Riverside County.

According to the Los Angeles Times (10-28-07), Riverside County ranks highest of all six Southern California counties in terms of firefighters per capita. The county also has modern engines and equipment, but most importantly, firefighters experienced in combating the most dangerous wildfires both in rural and urban settings. Through intensive paramedic training, Riverside County has prepared its firefighters to respond to accidents and medical emergencies in coordination with Sheriff's Deputies and CHP.

Because of Riverside County's great fire protection resources, many county fire crews were shifted to help other counties. One critical redeployment: within one hour of an urgent call from San Diego authorities, twenty engines and crews were sent to fight the Rice Fire in the Fallbrook area. Fire officials later stated that without Riverside's help, hundreds more homes would have burned.

After the tragic Esperanza Fire last year, Bob formed the Fire hazard Reduction task Force to recommend better ways to reduce wildfire risk to residents, firefighters and rescuers. The task force compiled the following recommendations for Riverside County:

• Review and change lenient development policies in at- risk areas.
  

• Update the fire hazard zone in the county general plan.
  

• Consider buying out home and other developments in non-defensible areas.
  

• Implement stricter fir-resistant standards for homes and other buildings