San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) teams have a new tool to help with fire prevention. In high-risk areas, crews are proactively spraying a citrus-based fire inhibitor to help protect homes and reduce fire hazards. The spray is being used along evacuation routes and near some recently abated homeless encampments. 

The fire-inhibitor spray is called Citrotech, a citrus-based fire retardant developed by Mighty Fire Breaker. This environmentally sensitive solution, capable of withstanding extreme heat without sustaining combustion, is being applied to high-risk areas to safeguard homes and emergency ingress and egress points.  

“What we’ve done is identified 46 acres of these high-risk areas for this grant funded project,” said San Diego Fire Marshal Tony Tosca. “Locations we’ve identified are 10 feet from the roadways in evacuation corridors, which are at-risk communities with only one evacuation route. We want to make sure people have the ability to get out in a fire emergency – we focus on those at-risk communities in the river watershed area.” 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation received a $366,949 grant through the San Diego River Conservancy’s Direct Grant Program, which helped SDFD acquire the emissions free battery powered equipment and EPA approved fire inhibitor needed to proactively address wildfire threats. The City of San Diego is using GPS tracking to allow for progress monitoring to ensure efficient treatment and prevent overuse. Progress is being shared publicly through an ArcGIS mapping tool on the Fire-Rescue website (click here for more information). 

Fires used for cooking or heating that are started by people living in encampments can spread and potentially cause larger brush and urban fires. Fire crews are also partnering with the City's Environmental Services Department in a pilot program to spray the citrus-based inhibitor in areas previously occupied by homelessness encampments, specifically those surrounded by vegetation and dry brush.  

“We’re trying to reduce the frequency and the risk of fire spread so, if we can identify encampments that were abated, we’ll spray some of those areas with this environmentally sensitive product,” Tosca said. “Neighborhood Policing, Environmental Services, Homelessness Strategies – we’ve all been working together with the Fire-Rescue Department. Teams go through and they’re trying to address encampment locations. The complaints go through the Get It Done app and, once they go out and clean an area, we try to proactively spray that area when no one is there.” 

Before any encampment abatement occurs, prior notice is given, and available sheltering options or diversion programs are always offered to any individuals present. The City is taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of encampment-related complaints through our reporting system, Get it Done. Any similar requests related to state property including highways, bridges and underpasses, can be submitted to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). 

When fire danger is high, SDFD crews are also being pre-staged in areas most at risk, allowing for rapid response when a fire breaks out. Proactive measures can help to contain brush fires quickly.  

“We have aerial resources and highly trained personnel to go and put out fires– but this is a preventative measure,” Tosca said. “I’m in the prevention world and we want to do some proactive measures before the fire gets there.” 

Stay Ready:     

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department encourages residents to follow the Ready, Set, Go guide:  

• Ready: Prepare your home by creating a defensible space and hardening it with fire-resistant materials.  

• Set: Pack emergency supplies and stay informed through trusted sources.  

• Go: Follow your wildfire action plan promptly to ensure safety and support firefighters and heed the instructions of public safety officials.

For updates during fire emergencies, follow @SDFD and @SanDiegoPD on social media. Residents can also download the Genasys Protect App and the SD Emergency Mobile App.