ENCINITAS — Nearly 30 years after the Harmony Grove Fire largely spared Olivenhain — destroying three homes before shifting Santa Ana winds pushed the blaze toward La Costa — the Fire Safe Council of Encinitas is seeking to strengthen the city’s wildfire preparedness, beginning with a community workshop Sept. 10.
The local wildfire preparedness group was established as part of the Encinitas Public Health and Safety Commission’s work plan.
Commission Chair Steve Cesnauskas, a retired firefighter, told The Coast News that the effort follows direction from the City Council to improve fire preparedness throughout Encinitas.
“It’s really a big introduction,” Cesnauskas said. “It’s a fact-finding thing to see where we take the next workshop, and what people’s needs and wants are.”
Cesnauskas said the council has identified two primary areas of concern: evacuation routes and residents losing their insurance coverage because of increased wildfire risk.
“If we can teach you through this workshop of, you know, how to harden your home and what the possible evacuation system will look like, how to have a to go bag, how to be prepared, … that’s what this workshop is about,” Cesnauskas said. “And the only way this would really be successful is with community participation.”
The inaugural citywide Fire Safe Council workshop is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Encinitas Senior Center.
The council hopes to gain community support from throughout the city. Cal Fire has classified areas in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia and Olivenhain as being at high risk for wildfire.
Cesnauskas said a long-term goal is for Encinitas to qualify as a Firewise Community, which could make the city eligible for federal grants supporting a range of programs and provide greater leverage in negotiations with insurance companies.
“It’s a big deal,” he said.
Encinitas has experienced firsthand the dangers of wildfire. On Oct. 21, 1996, the wind-driven Harmony Grove Fire began near Harmony Grove and Questhaven roads, and raced through Elfin Forest toward Olivenhain and La Costa.
The three-day blaze burned about 8,600 acres, destroyed nearly 100 homes and killed one person, according to media reports.
Three homes were destroyed in Olivenhain before shifting winds pushed the fire toward La Costa. The fire, fueled by Santa Ana winds, caused an estimated $52 million in damage. The fire’s cause was never determined, although authorities classified it as suspicious.
Cesnauskas added that the recent Pacific Palisades fires helped many people understand the urgency of emergency preparedness.
“I remember the mayor telling me directly, ‘I need you to vet this, build this and get this up and running because I don’t want to be in front of the camera explaining why,’” Cesnauskas said. “We’re trying to be proactive and be ahead of what’s going on.”
North County is home to several Fire Safe councils, including groups serving Del Mar, Escondido, San Elijo Hills, Fallbrook, Olivenhain and Palomar Mountain. More than 50 councils operate across San Diego County — the most of any region in the nation, according to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation.
In June, the foundation awarded $276,000 in Project SAFE grants to 30 local councils. The funding supports projects such as vegetation removal, community chipping events, defensible-space improvements, reflective address signs and programs that help residents harden their homes against wildfire.
Some councils also help neighborhoods pursue Firewise USA recognition, which may strengthen grant applications and help residents qualify for certain insurance discounts.
“For me, this is my opportunity to make a difference in my community and for my family,” Cesnauskas said.
