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Report regarding a resolution determining the continued existence of an emergency and the need to continue emergency repairs in response to the Sign Hill Diamond Fire. (Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution determining the continued existence of an emergency and the need to continue emergency repairs in response to the Sign Hill Diamond Fire.
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On October 16, 2020 at 11:54 a.m., a fire ignited on Sign Hill originating on the western section of the iconic letters. This was the third day of a regional Red Flag Warning with elevated temperatures, reduced humidity, and a steady easterly wind. The wind pushed the fire quickly to the west across the southern face of the hill through the grasses before spreading into the nearby tree groves. The incident commander realized the fire would grow quickly and structures would be threatened. Additional resources were immediately called to the scene to assist.
In total, five alarms of fire apparatus from South San Francisco and nearby agencies responded to the emergency. Additionally, an agreement with the California Forestry and Fire Department (CalFire) was utilized and provided the City with their associated aircraft, hand crews and wildland firefighting equipment for the incident. The fire burned for nearly three hours before being declared under control. Fire crews remained on site for over two days to ensure all hot spots were extinguished and embers would not reignite. Fortunately, the fire was kept to 16 acres and only caused minor property damage to three homes on Mountain Road, and no one was injured, thanks to the fuel load reduction and fire break work completed in recent years and the fire fighters' great efforts.
Immediately after the fire, the City Manager's Office, Parks and Recreation Department, Fire Department and Public Works/Engineering Department staff met to discuss next steps ...
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