Recent wildfires in Los Angeles and Maui highlight the dangers of urbanization and wildfire risk. San Diego's plans for high-density housing, particularly in University City, raise concerns about evacuation routes and potential disaster scenarios. The article argues that San Diego's rolling topography and dry vegetation make the city vulnerable, and that the city's focus on concentrated development exacerbates these risks.
A San Diego County sheriff’s helicopter drops water on a hot spot near homes at a vegetation fire that burned 40 acres in the College Area and Talmadge neighborhoods on Oc. 31, 2024. San Diego so far has dodged a major disaster during the recent Santa Ana winds, but more events are just around the corner. With our vegetation bone-dry, and wildfires becoming more extreme and unpredictable, residents here have never been more vulnerable and justifiably terrified.
San Diego is known for its rolling topography of canyons, most of which are now overgrown with dry vegetation. Flammable vegetation on steep canyon slopes burns faster upward, and many older neighborhoods sit at the top of these canyons., a door-to-door assessment program where officials go door-to-door to houses along canyon rims to inspect the properties and see if they are in compliance with brush regulations or not.
The city has upzoned both shopping centers in south University City, as well as other commercial properties along Governor Drive to accommodate high-density apartment buildings. It’s also pushing to reduce Governor Drive to one lane in each direction to provide bike lanes for the handful of bicyclists that would use them.
Other streets in south University City are torn up for sewer and water system upgrades, restricting many of the shortcuts.For San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Council to forge ahead with their high-density housing plans given the heightened wildfire threat is reprehensible.things to do would be to: Place a moratorium on all new development, including ADUs, throughout San Diego until all roadways are analyzed and safe evacuation routes can be designated and ensured.
WILDFIRES URBANIZATION HOUSING DEVELOPMENT EVACUATION SAN DIEGO
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