Forest Service, California Department of Forestryand Fire Protection and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. But these are all “coulds.”Īs for now: This is the story of the San Diego County firestormsof 2003, compiled from numerous interviews, as well as dispatchlogs of the U.S. And new rules could spring up forbuilding in the backcountry. State and federal agencies could launch an aggressivecampaign to thin vegetation. Wooden shake-shingle roofs couldbe banned. Numerous rural fire districts could mergeinto one countywide superdistrict. San Diego County could purchase air tankers - and increasetaxes to pay for them. Changes, too, in the manner - and place - peoplechoose to live in one of the most fire-prone environments onearth. Changes in theway authorities manage the chaparral-carpeted slopes and forests ofoak and pine. Changes in the way local agencies fight fires.
