For up to date information on the Fire Safe Council, visit http://srfiresafe.org/

The Chimney Canyon Fire Safe Council was established following the devastating Cedar wildfire that swept into San Diego on October 26, 2003. 312 homes were destroyed in Scripps Ranch. We were extremely fortunate. Firefighters stopped the fire within 70 feet of entering our canyon. The name Chimney Canyon came from a local fireman who, three days after the fire, told us that had the fire entered our canyon 200 more homes would likely have been destroyed.

Determined to find a way to reduce the fire danger we were living with, we formed the first urban chapter of the California Fire Safe Council in San Diego County. Our initial mission was to remove the volatile ground fuel and create a firebreak for our neighborhood. Early in 2004 we incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. This qualified us for Federal fire prevention grants and to employ the services of the California Conservation Corps – a State youth organization formed to train Junior Foresters and first responders for disasters such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. In August 2004 we were awarded two U.S. Forest grants to assist in providing our neighborhood with a 100-foot firebreak.

In January 2005 we teamed with the Scripps Ranch Civic Association, changed our name, and extended our mission to the entire 12,000 home Scripps Ranch community. In July 2005, we formed an Alliance with 12 Federal, State, and Civic organizations to promote fire prevention in Scripps Ranch. There are now 20 neighborhood chapters and we have established firebreaks for over 900 homes. In addition, we have opened six overgrown recreational trails, removed 340 dangerous trees, and planted 165 new trees. Contributions to the FSC are tax deductible at both the Federal and State levels.