Wildfire risk is a reality for Greater Golden Hill—and preparation starts at the neighborhood level.

Join us for the Smokin’ Hot Fire Safe Council Kickoff, a free, family-friendly, drop-in event focused on practical, local wildfire preparedness.

This event brings together firefighters, emergency preparedness experts, canyon advocates, and neighbors to share information, answer questions, and help our community get better prepared.

What to Expect

This is a casual community event with activities and information available throughout the afternoon.

🕐 1:00 PM – Event Opens

• Station 11 fire crew and fire engine arrive

• Community information tables open, featuring:

  • San Diego Canyonlands

  • Coastkeepers

  • Preserve Greater Golden Hill (PGGH)

  • Kid’s Library book table

  • Native plant displays

• DJ music and a taco truck on site

🕑 2:00–4:00 PM – Program & Talks

• Brief introductions from:

  • Greater Golden Hill Fire Safe Council

  • Preserve Greater Golden Hill (PGGH)

  • Friends of 32nd Street Canyon

• Canyon maintenance updates from Urban Corps

• Disaster preparedness guidance from Melissa with the American Red Cross, including distribution of the Listos California preparedness guide

• Assistant Fire Marshal Alex Kane, the City’s new Wildfire Program Manager, will discuss:

  • Evacuation concerns specific to Greater Golden Hill

  • How density, canyons, and traffic pinch points affect emergency response

  • Lessons learned from recent fires such as Tecolote Canyon and Montezuma

  • What burned, what didn’t, and what helped slow fire spread

  • Why home hardening is a critical part of wildfire preparedness

• Q&A with speakers and fire officials

Why This Matters

Greater Golden Hill’s canyons, hillsides, compact blocks, and limited evacuation routes make wildfire preparedness especially important. Our neighborhood’s layout means fire behavior, ember travel, and evacuation timing can look very different here than in other parts of the city.

This event focuses on real-world, locally relevant information—from evacuation planning to home hardening and defensible space—so neighbors can take practical steps to reduce risk and be better prepared before an emergency happens.

Whether you’re new to wildfire safety or already taking steps at home or in the canyon, this is a chance to learn, ask questions, and connect with others working to keep our community safer.

Questions?

Email us at: ggh-fsc@preservegreatergoldenhill.com

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Wildfire Reality Check: Density, Evacuation, and a New Fire Safe Council

“Raising Cain” means mayhem—and in Southern California, wildfire risk delivers plenty of it. Enter San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Fire Marshal and new Wildfire Program Manager Alex Kane, who is focused on solutions, not chaos. So are Greater Golden Hill residents—especially when it comes to evacuation… Because no one wants to play a game of Chutes and Ladders when you are looking for your way out!

As housing density increases, members of Preserve Greater Golden Hill are stepping up on wildfire and evacuation safety. On November 14, the Greater Golden Hill Fire Safe Council (GGH-FSC) was officially accredited and is now focused on preparedness, education, and coordination with fire agencies. Much of Greater Golden Hill sits squarely in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Add tightly packed wooden homes, steep dry canyons, invasive plants, and woody debris, aging infrastructure, tight cul-de-sacs, small streets and you’ve got a recipe no one ordered.

Kane, a former North Park firefighter, strongly supports County-backed Fire Safe Councils. While California native plants are fire-adapted, invasive trees and weeds are firmly in his crosshairs. The good news? Homeowners and renters alike can make meaningful gains with simple, affordable home-hardening and vegetation-management steps. Kane is also strengthening the City’s response with added smokejumper and GIS capacity. The GGH-FSC will roll out neighborhood education with Fire-Rescue experts, including workshops on:

• Reducing ember exposure & home hardening

• Fire-resistant landscaping

• Evacuation modeling (Ingress, Egress… or Do We Have to Stop, Drop & Roll?)

• Chili cook-offs with fire truck visits

• Chipping & dumpster events (Dumpathons!)

• Saving Canyon events