New Ag Pass program taking applications

SAN DIEGO COUNTY – An Ag Pass program was approved by the Board of Supervisors. During a wildfire or other disaster, the Ag Pass allows commercial livestock or agriculture operators access to evacuated areas to care for crops and animals.

The deadline to apply for phase 1 is Oct. 1. Phase 1 is for commercial cattle and equestrian operations in the unincorporated area.

All other commercial agriculture and livestock operations in the unincorporated area will be in phase 2 next year in the spring/summer.

Owners and managerial employees are also eligible to get the pass. The definition of a managerial employee is included on the web page and application.

The webpage is at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdcfa/ag-pass1.html

The application is a fillable PDF, but it can also be printed. Questions and completed applications can be sent to [email protected].

There will be a training workshop on Oct. 13, tentatively scheduled at the San Diego County Farm Bureau office in Escondido, 420 South Broadway, Ste 200, Escondido, 92025.

The training will take four hours and cover fire safety, fire behavior and weather, entrapment avoidance, evacuation, communications and incident command.

An ID card will be issued after the training.

Applications need to be received by Oct. 1 for the Oct 13 training.