Being Prepared
Our hearts are breaking for our friends and loved ones in L.A. Many people have asked how they can help. Options providing direct aid include the American Red Cross and the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund. Wherever you donate, make sure it's a trusted organization.
What should you do here in San Diego County? Make sure you are prepared for wildfire or any natural disaster.
Visit alertsandiego.org to:
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Receive updates and emergency alerts
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Create your own personal disaster plan
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Plan essential evacuation and shelter in place kits, with evacuation routes
Simple actions can save lives. Be prepared, take action.
As the devastating fires in Los Angeles County remind us, wildfires are a near-yearly fact of life now in Southern California. Our region’s dry conditions, seasonal Santa Ana winds, rising temperatures, and climate change only require a small spark to spur fast-moving and destructive blazes.
Here are a few more tips:
Defensible Space: Homeowners can prepare by creating defensible space around their properties. Clearing dry vegetation, trimming trees, and maintaining at least 100 feet of buffer space can slow the spread of flames. Regularly cleaning roofs and gutters of leaves and debris also reduces the risk of ignition from flying embers, which can travel miles ahead of a fire.
Emergency Plan: Create one for your household, including your pets. Families should identify evacuation routes, prepare go-bags with essentials like water, food, medications (including for pets), and important documents, and designate a safe meeting point. If your pet is not microchipped, you should do it before a disaster strikes. It will allow you to reunite with your pet if they somehow escape or cannot be found while evacuating.
How Sick Do San Diegans Need to Get?
Meanwhile, I’m disappointed by this: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the County that they have made a decision not to assess the Tijuana River Valley for the federal Superfund program. This program, established to clean up hazardous waste sites, could unlock critical funding and resources for environmental remediation.
The Tijuana River Valley has suffered 80 years of pollution, including hazardous waste and toxic substances. Despite the severity, the EPA claimed the risks aren’t high enough for a Superfund designation.
But can you believe this? The EPA didn’t even visit South Bay, and based their decision on years-old samples, which wouldn’t reflect how much the crisis has worsened. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
With over 1,000 days of beach closures, increasing air pollution complaints, and the CDC getting involved last year, it’s clear we’re dealing with an environmental hazard. My question for the EPA is: How much sicker do San Diegans need to get before this is treated as a crisis?
Despite the EPA’s decision, we have had some amazing recent success in securing additional federal funding to address this crisis! To the tune of more than $700 million. Thanks to the incredible advocacy, perseverance, and leadership from our congressional delegation, especially Juan Vargas, Scott Peters, Sara Jacobs, and Mike Levin — More funding has been approved by Congress, including $353 million in 2024 and $350 million secured for San Diego in 2020 for repairs and upgrades at the South Bay treatment plant.
Thank You
I will continue to preside as acting Chair of the County Board of Supervisors in the wake of Supervisor Vargas’ decision not to serve a second term. Just as I have done in previous instances when the Chair was absent, I will fulfill the obligations of this role as described in the County Charter.
I look forward to working with Chair Pro Tempore Joel Anderson in his role as acting Vice Chair. I'm also looking forward to a fresh start in working with the public to ensure everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
From making it easier for people to see a doctor, to helping San Diegans keep a roof over their heads, to fighting against pollution, the County will continue to be an active partner in helping to make life better for San Diego County residents.
Also this week, I was honored to take the oath of office for my second term.
I took the oath of office on behalf of our community. A community that doesn’t want to go back to the days when the Board of Supervisors was working in the shadows. A community that wants to make sure the County is doing the work to advance fairness, justice, and progress. A community that wants the Board to be a proactive force for good.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your support. And thank you for the honor of serving you.
In service,
Terra