Since 1993
Rated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE, since 1980 there have been 19 wildfires within three miles of Harmony Grove. Eleven homes and 25 structures in Harmony Grove were completely destroyed in 2014’s Cocos Fire.
On July 25, 2018, the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to amend the county General Plan and change zoning in Harmony Grove and Eden Valley for two housing developments, Harmony Grove Village South and Valiano.
Combined these projects will bring 779 additional homes to the region. When the local town council and county planning group evaluated both projects, they unanimously voted against the recommendation of the projects, with fire danger and damage to the community's rural character as the chief problems.
Fire Code Exception
County waived fire code meant to ensure safe evacuations. HGVS has a dead-end road over 5 times the maximum allowed length by county fire code.
Wildfire Risk
Evacuation takes 1.25 hours and a fire from Escondido will take less than an hour to reach the development. Fire starting closer to the proposed development site could produce much shorter run times.
Shelter-in-Place Experiment
Lack of road infrastructure to support safe evacuations means Harmony Grove Village South will become community-level experiment of fire-resistant building and landscaping when residents can't evacuate.
Press & Updates
How Will Wildfire Danger Affect New Homes In North County Backcountry?
Experts say urban sprawl, climate change hike wildfire risk
Supervisors Approve Hundreds Of New Homes In North San Diego County
San Diego County Fast-Tracks Waivers To General Plan For New Housing
Fox News Local TV Coverage Before Board of Supervisors Meeting
