Pam Slater-Price-Price, District 3 Supervisor, County of San Diego

PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2008

Slater-Price Garners Support for Fire-Fighting Issue
Board Approves Board Letter to Work with CalFire on Night-Flight Policy

SAN DIEGO – The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved Supervisor Pam Slater-Price’s recommendation to work toward resolving the state’s CalFire policy prohibiting night flying to fight fires.

Photo courtesy of Canadiar / Bombardier

The legislation, co-authored by Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob, directs Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Walt Ekard to work with CalFire, the U.S. Forest Service, and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association to establish a local agreement to allow aerial firefighting assets to fly at night in the state and federal responsibility area, which comprises more than half of the land in San Diego County.

CalFire’s current policy precludes pilots from flying a half hour before or after sunset, depending on the situation, to a half hour before sunrise.

“Not being able to fight fires half the time ties one hand behind our backs,” Slater-Price said. “We cannot afford to settle for status quo in a county that has experienced two catastrophic fires in four years. In the event of a wildfire, we must have the ability to use every asset in the county – period. And that means at all hours – day or night.”

In May, the County Board of Supervisors voted to lease two fire-fighting Bombadier CL-415 Superscoopers and a command plane for the upcoming fire season at about $3 million. Annually, the County of San Diego spends $8.53 million on fire protection.

Nearly all fire agencies in the state prohibit fighting fire by air at night, which a few exceptions – such as the large fleet operated by Los Angeles County.

“We owe it to those who struggle to rebuild their homes today and those who shouldn’t have to face that pain tomorrow,” Slater-Price said.

Other measures sought in the legislation direct the CAO:

To work with the County’s legislative advocates to pursue any necessary CalFire policy changes;
To work with the County’s legislative advocates to urge retrofitting or replacement of CalFire’s helicopter fleet for night flight capabilities; and
To work with the Sheriff’s department and CalFire to explore the feasibility of converting the two County-owned firefighting helicopters for night flight capabilities.