Fire evacuation routes for Fallbrook residents

California is wildfire country, and October is peak wildfire season.

The Rice fire, which burned more than 9,000 acres and destroyed more than 200 structures in the Fallbrook area in 2007, broke out in late October. So this time of year is certainly a time to be mindful of fire danger, especially in Fallbrook, which finds itself especially vulnerable to fires as a result of being surrounded by wildlands and with few roads in or out.

2020 has already been a deadly and destructive year for wildfires in California. Firefighters have battled more than 8,000 wildfires in the state so far this year, and 26 people have lost their lives to the fires.

With more than 5 million acres burned, 2020 is now the largest wildfire season in California history.

And San Diego County has already had one major fire – the Valley Fire, which burned about 17,000 acres in the mountains of East County and destroyed 30 residences, 31 outbuildings and 11 other structures earlier in September.

With the potential for more fires, Fallbrook residents should be aware of what needs to be done in an emergency.

The Fallbrook Firesafe Council created its first Fallbrook Evacuation Map in 2003, according to Dorothy Roth, the council's president.

While the council is currently working to update the evacuation map, the most recent version from 2018 remains available on North County Fire's website, https://www.ncfire.org/emergency-information, as well as here in the Village News.

Local resident Harriett Hardman has also put together a Fallbrook Fire Safety checklist which can be found at https://fallbrookfiresafety.com/.