FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: August 2, 2004
Contact: Jennifer Stone (619) 531-4766

AFTER THE FIRESTORM: IS THE REGION BETTER PREPARED FOR FIRE?

SAN DIEGO - The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors will host a one-day conference to gauge progress made by local, State and Federal public agencies in the wake of last year's Cedar, Paradise and Otay fires, Chairwoman Dianne Jacob announced last week.

"As we get closer to the one-year anniversary of the fires, the pubic needs to know about the progress that has been made and what still needs to be done," said Jacob who represents communities hardest hit by the Cedar Fire. "We need to shine a spotlight on actions that have been taken by local, State and Federal agencies since the October wildfires."

Jacob, whose proposal for the conference was unanimously supported by the Board, said she encourages elected officials and public safety officials from around the region at every level of government to attend the conference.

The conference is scheduled to take place on September 29, 2004 at 9 a.m. in the Board Chamber of the County Administration Center. The pubic is invited to attend.

The fires burned more than 376,000 acres, destroyed 2,400 homes and killed 17 people.