September 28, 2022 (San Diego) - The Board of Supervisors today approved additional water tanks and backcountry helicopter hydrants to give firefighting helicopters more water sources during wildland firefighting.
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August 13, 2015 (Ramona)--Last week, East County Magazine reported on the United States Forest Service’s announcement that it will not allow its new air tanker firefighting planes to land at the Ramona Air Base. The USFSsays the runway is not long enough. However Cal Fire provided a video showing a Cal Fire pilot landing the same type of plane in Ramona.
Now, all five of San Diego’s Congressional representatives (Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa, Scott Peters, Juan Vargas and Susan Davis) have signed a letter sent to Chief Thomas Tidwell of the USFS asking him to take action.
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City, County Officials and Fire Agencies Join Utility to Announce Cooperative Firefighting Agreement
September11, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced it has renewed agreements with the County and City of San Diego and firefighting agencies to continue to make a heavy-lift air-crane available to support fire suppression efforts this fire season. An Erickson Air-Crane helitanker, the “Sun Bird,” was used by SDG&E during construction of the Sunrise Powerlink. Now that the transmission line construction is complete, the aircraft will be on standby and dispatched for firefighting assistance as needed.
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“Long overdue”l tactic to contain California’s dangerous wildfires, Senator Feinstein says
August 19, 2012 (Washington D.C.)— The U.S. Forest Service will update its nighttime firefighting program to battle out-of-control wildfires in Southern California.
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March 31, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Fire Protection District is pleased to announce the purchase of new carbon monoxide detectors and a new roof ventilation prop.
The funds to purchase these new advanced items were made possible through grant awards received from two local grant sources, San Diego County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Fund and the San Diego Regional Fire and Emergency grant.
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September 4, 2010 (Ramona) -- Aerial firefighters continue battling the Cowboy Fire, which is currently 65% contained with full control predicted Monday night. If not for this Ramona air field, brush-covered open spaces in our backcountry would be even greater threats to residents throughout San Diego County.
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Leaders propose options to address serious public safety crisis in City and County
By Miriam Raftery
July 28, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego has the fewest firefighters per capita of any major city in the nation, a shocking new report by Center for Policy Initiatives revealed yesterday.
“Service quality has dropped below acceptable standards, most tragically in the fire-rescue department,” a CPI press release warned. “Without increased revenue, the city could face the closure of almost half of our fire stations and the firing of several hundred police officers, as the chief operating officer described to the Council yesterday.”
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April 21, 2010 (El Cajon)--Just two days before their graduation, fire academy recruits will be demonstrating their firefighting skills for several Heartland Fire Chiefs, family members and for the media, at the Heartland Fire Training Facility, at 1301 North Marshall in El Cajon, from 10-11 a.m.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
April 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Effective immediately, the National Weather Service in San Diego is changing its criteria for issuing red flag warnings for fire danger. The change is expected to result in fewer alerts, also saving taxpayers money on overtime staffing for firefighting forces.
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February 23, 2010 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) recently introduced H.R. 4488, the National Wildfire Infrastructure Improvement & Cost Containment Act.
“It is about time that we properly recognize our brave federal wildland firefighters and make sure they are on par with other federal firefighters,” Filner said in a newsletter to constituents. “Congress must provide American citizens with the strongest, most cost-effective, and efficient federal wildfire response possible to meet the challenges and complexities of wildfires in the 21st Century.”
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
By 
City, County Officials and Fire Agencies Join Utility to Announce Cooperative Firefighting Agreement
August 19, 2012 (Washington D.C.)— The U.S. Forest Service will update its nighttime firefighting program to battle out-of-control wildfires in Southern California. 
Story and photos by Dennis Richardson
April 21, 2010 (El Cajon)--Just two days before their graduation, fire academy recruits will be demonstrating their firefighting skills for several Heartland Fire Chiefs, family members and for the media, at the Heartland Fire Training Facility, at 1301 North Marshall in El Cajon, from 10-11 a.m. 
April 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Effective immediately, the National Weather Service in San Diego is changing its criteria for issuing red flag warnings for fire danger. The change is expected to result in fewer alerts, also saving taxpayers money on overtime staffing for firefighting forces.
February 23, 2010 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) recently introduced H.R. 4488, the National Wildfire Infrastructure Improvement & Cost Containment Act.
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