An open letter to San Diego Board of Supervisors

It is now day four of the mandatory Fallbrook, CA evacuation and news organizations report that the Rice fire is “no longer considered a threat to the town.” However, the bulk of 45,000 residents remain displaced. No logical explanation has been given as to why they are being barred from their homes. Further, there is no clearly communicated plan as to when residents can return. When the mandatory evacuation of Fallbrook was issued, residents put their trust in officials and left their homes willingly. They left with the good faith that fire officials and county supervisors would allow “repopulation” once the danger had passed. That has not happened, and the bond of community trust has been broken.

First, officials said there was a concern about electrical line safety.

Then they said there might still be fire danger, although reports indicated otherwise. When those excuses could no longer be sustained, we are given a vague explanation of low water resources. Where is the safety concern in that? Bottled water can be delivered

for drinking. Families and their pets remain scattered around the state, with many unable to return to work and most unsure of the status of their homes. Fallbrook has been mostly forgotten, and while politicians grandstand, backslap, thank each other for cooperation

and tour in helicopters, Fallbrook residents are holed up in hotel rooms, RVs and tents with no information, representation or leadership. This causes great emotional frustration and it is also a financial drain. Foremost, it puts the “leadership” of the Board of Supervisors and those who continue to enforce the evacuation into question. How willing do you think people will be to leave their homes during the next crisis?

Dave Stewart