SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - More than 6,000 homes could be built in parts of San Diego County considered to be high-risk fire zones.
According to a Voice of San Diego report, six housing projects are being developed for areas that pose a fire danger -- all in the North County.
Officially, the county's General Plan tries to steer developers away from building in high-risk fire zones. However, developers can apply for amendments from the rules.
County officials told 10News their Consolidated Fire Code calls for a Fire Protection Plan to minimize wildfire hazards. Also, any new construction in high-risk fire zones is subject to stricter rules about emergency access and design.
The county also requires any new construction in "Wildland-Urban Interface" areas to use fire resistant materials. That can include work on roofing, exterior covering, doors, glazing, events, eaves and decks or patio covers. According to the county, the rules for this exceed the rules found in the California Building Code.
The six projects being considered right now:
- Lilac Hills Ranch
- Harmony Grove Villages
- Harmony Grove South
- Newland Sierra
- Warner Ranch
- Safari Highlands
All six are at varying stages of the approval process, and they all have statements in their websites about fire safety. Some of them are within the footprints of three of the county's most recent, devastating fires: the Cocos Fire (2014), the Lilac Fire (2017) and the Witch Fire (2007).
