As part of its ongoing work to promote fire safety and awareness, the La Jolla Town Council hosted representatives from the San Diego Fire-Rescue department during its Sept. 10 meeting at the La Valencia Hotel.
Among them was Fire-Rescue Operations Chief John Brubaker, who discussed a proposal to establish reservoirs or tanks in La Jolla from which firefighters could refill helicopter tanks with fresh water, saving critical minutes during a wildfire by reducing the need for helicopters to fly to Montgomery Field to refill. Officials are considering temporary or permanent tanks capable of holding roughly 7,000 to 9,000 gallons.
Brubaker said the department has recognized the need for a closer freshwater source since 2003, particularly around Mount Soledad, La Jolla and south Clairemont.
Firefighting helicopters generally cannot use ocean water because saltwater can corrode aircraft components and damage the engines, Brubaker said. Instead, helicopters fly to Montgomery Field to refill from the ground before returning to the fire.
“We fly to Montgomery Field, ground fill it, two to three minutes to fill, six minutes back and forth — 15-minute turnaround time,” Brubaker said.
That roughly 15 minutes can be critical during the early stages of a wildfire, he added, and that an aggressive aerial attack can prevent a fire from growing beyond the point crews can contain it.
Fire fighters examined more than 40 sites during the past six months before narrowing the list to three local locations: La Jolla Scenic Drive North, La Jolla Country Club Drive and an area above Kate Sessions Park. Brubaker said the site at the end of La Jolla Scenic Drive North emerged as the leading possibility and is considered the strongest option from the pilots’ perspective.
He explained that an aerial assessment showed roughly 100 feet of clearance for helicopter operations there, while the slope provides a favorable downhill departure path into the wind. A 12-inch water main also is being installed nearby.
The proposal still faces obstacles, including relocating streetlights, removing power lines and determining whether one large and nine smaller Torrey pine trees could be relocated.
The La Jolla Town Council meeting on Sept. 10 hosted representatives from the San Diego Fire-Rescue department. (Noah Perkins)
Thus, Brubaker said the department wants the community to weigh in before determining whether any of the sites can be developed. The proposal remains preliminary and also requires additional study, permitting, public investment and community support.
“The goal is to let the community talk it out and provide feedback,” he said, “so that we can go back and spend a lot more time and effort to see if we can really make this happen.”
Town Council President Mary Soriano said the proposal will next be presented to the La Jolla Shores Association and the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board.
The discussion comes after several La Jolla Town Council meetings focused on fire safety in recent months.
Last year, the Town Council participated in forming the La Jolla Fire Safe Council.
Fire Safe Councils, commonly referred to as the fire prevention version of crimefighting Neighborhood Watch groups, are grassroots nonprofits that partner with fire agencies to provide local education on how to best prepare for and prevent wildfires.
The groups hold meetings periodically and can potentially secure grant funding to accelerate prevention efforts such as ignition zone assessments and installing fire-resistant vents.
In other Town Council news:
Safety report: San Diego police Officer Jessica Dishman said more than 150 officers were deployed along San Diego beaches over the long Labor Day weekend and that there were no major incidents.
Next meeting: Soriano announced that the October meeting will feature a candidate forum ahead of upcoming elections. It will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at a location to be determined. Learn more: lajollatowncouncil.org