Jeremy, an Orange County Fire Authority representative, reported to the committee on Oct. 28 that OCFA assisted Camp Pendleton on Aug. 21 with wildfire resources for a 500‑acre incident that threatened San Clemente.
"They have a 500 acre fire, brought it up right against San Clemente on a mutual threat zone," Jeremy said, noting OCFA deployed hand crews, engines, bulldozers and helicopters in multiple operational periods. He also described a temporary forward Black Hawk pad at Station 59 to shorten helicopter response times for southern Orange County.
City staff said they have prepared a citywide wildfire program and submitted an 8.5 million dollar FEMA grant application tied to broad mitigation work. Staff cautioned that, if awarded, the FEMA funds would not be available until mid‑ to late‑2027 because of multi‑stage review processes. In the meantime staff will pursue other, smaller interventions and continue public outreach on home hardening and vegetation management with HOAs.
Staff and OCFA representatives also reviewed evacuation notification procedures used during imminent threats: reverse 9‑1‑1, door‑to‑door knocks, Field Maps tracking to record household responses, specialized vehicle sirens and helicopter notifications.
Committee members asked about wildfire mapping, homeowner insurance impacts from new fire zones, and continued coordination with HOAs; staff underscored that wind‑driven fires and terrain are central drivers of large incidents and that mitigation planning must account for those factors.
No committee action was taken beyond directing staff to continue plan preparation and to bring prioritized items back for scheduling.