Homeowners in Jamul, a community in San Diego County with a history of devastating wildfires, are taking proactive steps to protect their properties. Through the Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Defensible Space Program, residents like Darren and Teresa Greenhalgh are implementing critical home hardening measures to mitigate the increasing risk of fire.
Key Takeaways
- Jamul residents are using the Cal Fire Defensible Space Program to inspect and improve their homes' fire resistance.
- New regulations focus on "Zone 0," an ember-resistant area requiring zero combustible materials within five feet of a structure.
- Home hardening measures include using fire-resistant building materials, clearing vegetation, and securing potential entry points for embers, such as vents.
- Financial assistance programs and insurance discounts are available to homeowners who implement these safety improvements.
Living with Constant Fire Risk
Jamul's beautiful but dry landscape places it in one of San Diego County's most vulnerable areas for wildfires. The region has been repeatedly tested by major incidents, including the 2003 Cedar Fire and the 2007 Witch Fire, which left a lasting impact on the community.
For Darren and Teresa Greenhalgh, this risk is a daily reality. Their home is situated on a hill, bordered on three sides by the Hollenback Canyon Wildlife Area, a preserve that has burned in the past. Teresa’s family has owned the property since 1973, just a few years after the 1970 Laguna Fire swept through the area.
Their personal history with fire is severe. In October 2007, the Harris Fire destroyed their previous home. "Everything burned except what was in the circle driveway," Teresa Greenhalgh recalled. "The brand new house, propane tank, the well — it was this green oasis in the middle of sheer decimation around us."
Adopting New Standards for Home Defense
The Greenhalghs built their current house in 2014 with fire-resistant features, but safety standards continue to evolve. A primary focus of their recent efforts has been complying with the new "Zone 0" requirement, a critical five-foot buffer around the home.
Understanding Defensible Space Zones
Fire safety officials have established specific zones around a property to guide vegetation management and structural modifications:
- Zone 0 (0-5 feet): Known as the ember-resistant zone, this area must be completely free of flammable materials. This includes furniture, plants, wood fences, and debris.
- Zone 1 (5-50 feet): This zone requires lean, clean, and green landscaping. Plants should be well-spaced and maintained to prevent a continuous path for fire.
- Zone 2 (50-100 feet): In this outer ring, vegetation should be thinned, and dead material must be removed. The goal is to slow the spread of a ground fire.
"Now, we're having to redo things and rethink things because we're trying to be in compliance with that new zero to five feet zone," Teresa explained. This proactive work is essential for protecting their home from embers, which are a leading cause of home ignition during wildfires.
Why Embers Are a Major Threat
During a wildfire, strong winds can carry burning embers for miles ahead of the actual fire front. These small pieces of burning material can land in gutters, under decks, or enter homes through vents, igniting new fires far from the original blaze. Creating an ember-resistant Zone 0 is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent a home from catching fire.
The Official Inspection Process
To ensure their home met the latest standards, the Greenhalghs requested an inspection from Cal Fire. Before the visit, Darren Greenhalgh had already completed an extensive list of improvements. "Work is never done," he said. "I am sure that there are going to be things that she's going to put on the list that I'm going to have to add to my list."
Cal Fire Forestry Technician Brandi McLaughlin conducted the inspection. Her role is to identify a home's vulnerabilities just as an ember would. "Working in these areas since 2000, I've seen most of this hillside burn," McLaughlin said. "And then the vegetation comes back, and then it'll burn again and come back. And so that's why we need that defensible space. Because no matter what, fire will always come back."
Key Hardening Measures Implemented
Darren Greenhalgh detailed several of the upgrades he made to the property:
- Windows: Installed double-paned windows with tempered glass to resist heat and breakage.
- Building Materials: Used metal for vents, gutters, and downspouts to prevent ignition.
- Vents: Ensured vent openings were covered with a one-eighth-inch metal grate to block embers from entering the attic or crawl space.
- Landscaping: Removed continuous vegetation that could create a fire ladder to the house.
- Combustibles: Moved plastic trash cans away from the structure and placed them behind a sturdy block wall.
Financial Incentives for Safety
The Greenhalghs utilized a Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation grant, funded by San Diego Gas and Electric, to help cover costs. They received the maximum rebate of $2,600.80. Furthermore, their proactive measures resulted in a 15% reduction in their home insurance premium.
Expert Recommendations and Findings
During her walk-through, McLaughlin pointed out both successes and areas for improvement. She praised the separation between plants in the front yard and the home's enclosed eaves, which are resistant to embers.
However, she also provided specific, actionable advice. At the propane tank, she instructed the couple to clear a 10-foot radius down to bare mineral soil. "Anything that's hanging over, be it the trees, those have got to be limbed up and removed," she advised, pointing to overhanging branches.
"Sometimes erratic winds, a lot of embers will fly and they'll get into these teeny little crevices. And then that's where that fire starts," McLaughlin explained, highlighting the importance of sealing even the smallest openings.
She also picked up a handful of dried vegetation from the ground, reminding the homeowners that all dead plant material must be regularly cleared away to eliminate fuel for a potential fire.
A Community-Wide Effort
The Greenhalghs' commitment extends beyond their own property line. Teresa serves as the coordinator for the San Diego County Fire Community Response Team (CERT), where she advocates for preparedness.
"For me, our big message is registering for alerts and preparing for evacuations," she said. She expressed concern that the rapid and effective response of firefighters in recent years might lead to complacency among residents. "They're sending everything out, but still, you need to take care of your family and your pets."
The couple also installed reflective pavement markers along their long driveway. These markers help guide them out during smoky conditions and, just as importantly, assist fire crews in locating the two hydrants on their property during an emergency.
The message from Cal Fire and San Diego County Fire is clear: hardening individual homes is the first and most critical line of defense. It protects not only the homeowner but also their neighbors and the first responders who risk their lives to defend the community.