Community Notice – Creelman Fire: Erosion and Runoff Mitigation Update

The Association is proactively coordinating with County agencies, fire officials, and erosion-control specialists to address potential erosion and stormwater runoff risks in areas affected by the Creelman Fire and to help protect homes along Oak Springs Road as we prepare for the upcoming rainy season.

Approximately 39 homes on Oak Springs Road border the fire-affected area. Most of the uphill land directly west of these homes is owned by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, with Simon Park located along the northern boundary of the fire area. Nearly 200 acres of County-owned land extending west and uphill from the Oak Springs homes are being evaluated for appropriate erosion-control and runoff-mitigation measures.

The Association also owns approximately 10 acres of open space between the County property and the Oak Springs homes. This narrow area, immediately west of and behind the homes, is also being evaluated to determine appropriate measures that can be taken on HOA property.

Coordination Underway

To date, the HOA Landscape Manager has been working closely with and/or has conducted on-site meetings with representatives from:

·      County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation

·      County of San Diego Planning & Development Services

·      County of San Diego Department of Public Works

·      CAL FIRE

·      Erosion-control specialty contractors

Actions Taken by the Association

The Landscape Department has already begun several important steps, including:

Chipping cut branches and vegetation left following fire-response activities

Photographing, documenting, and mapping current site and terrain conditions

Evaluating major washes and waterways for potential rainwater runoff mitigation

Soliciting bids for appropriate erosion-control measures based on site conditions

Protecting Fire-Affected Slopes

County Parks and Recreation is also moving forward with initial steps on County-owned property. An immediate priority is protecting the fire-affected slopes from unauthorized motorcycle and off-road vehicle activity, which can further disturb vulnerable soil and increase erosion and runoff risks.

County officials are coordinating with local law enforcement regarding enforcement support, and temporary measures to restrict access while assessment and remediation efforts continue are being evaluated.

Residents can help protect these sensitive areas by obeying all posted access restrictions and reporting unauthorized activity through the appropriate non-emergency law enforcement channel.

Due to the increased motorcycle use on the burned areas off of Oak Springs Road - we have received a request from the County Parks and Recreation Rangers to restrict access. Please encourage your family members to respect this closure.
 

Next Steps

The Association will continue coordinating closely with County agencies and other appropriate authorities while proactively preparing HOA-owned property for the upcoming rainy season. As assessments are completed and specific mitigation measures are determined, the Association will continue to keep homeowners informed.

Homeowners with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the HOA Landscape Manager:

Nancy Zadrozny 760-670-8088