San Diego County residents are being asked to weigh in on an updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan that will help guide mitigation priorities and grant eligibility over the next five years. The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, working with the Resource Conservation District and Cal Fire, is leading the effort.

According to East County Magazine, the draft puts added emphasis on Zone 0, the five-foot ember-resistant area around structures, along with newer home-hardening strategies. Organizers say the update is meant to keep more than 40 local wildfire plans aligned with current state and federal resilience standards.

The planning effort arrives as lawmakers in Sacramento push wildfire-related legislation tied to firefighter staffing and tax incentives for home-hardening upgrades. East County communities in the wildland-urban interface, including places such as Santee, Lakeside and Ramona, could be affected by how future priorities and funding are set.

Residents can review the draft plan online and submit comments during the current public input period. Progress updates are expected to continue through the Fire Safe Council's bimonthly general meetings during 2026.