Por Diana Jacob<\/p>\n
Wildfire worries: <\/strong>San Diego County is stepping up its fire preparedness ground game.<\/p>\n Following up on proposals I announced in my State of the County address earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors recently OK\u2019d several initiatives to better protect people and property in our most fire-prone areas.<\/p>\n The improvements include doubling the number of annual property safety inspections, from 10,000 to 20,000, and the creation of a grant program to encourage homeowners to install ember-resistant vents and other fire-resistant materials.<\/p>\n Deadly fires last year across California, and the tragic destruction of places like Paradise, remind us that disaster could strike here again any time. The county has invested more than $500 million since 2003 on fire protection improvements.<\/p>\n Go to readysandiego.org and see how you can better safeguard your family during a disaster.<\/p>\n Our beautiful backcountry: <\/strong>Thanks to a recently approved land purchase, the county is expanding the scenic Ramona Grasslands by 123 acres.<\/p>\n The acquisition means the preserve now spans more than 3,600 acres \u2014 bigger than Del Mar and Solana Beach combined.<\/p>\n Thanks to the community and county staff, the preserve is turning into a real treasure and it\u2019s a perfect spot for families to enjoy the great outdoors.<\/p>\n Public safety first: <\/strong>Community leaders, first-responders, wildfire evacuees and others recently joined me next to state Route 67 to call out SANDAG’s executive director for his plan to shelve badly needed safety improvements on the highway and other arteries across the county.<\/p>\n As many of you know, the fall 2007 wildfire season was a nightmare. A half-million people were ordered to evacuate their communities and had to use escape routes like SR-67.<\/p>\n SANDAG promised voters it would improve these major roads, these lifelines, not leave them high and dry. Public safety must always come first.<\/p>\n