Without enough fire-prevention money, they say, it is only a matter of time before the county faces another massive wildfire.

Alliance fears cuts in wildfire prevention | Proposal to reduce funding alarms backcounty residents | By Mike Lee | STAFF WRITER | April 2, 2007

Across San Diego County's fire country, an alliance of agencies has spent about $50 million to clear dead trees and overgrown brush after blazes charred much of the region in 2003.

But now, the federal fire-prevention money for their work is drying up. Priorities in Washington, D.C., have shifted to paying for national defense, cleanups after Hurricane Katrina and other needs, forestry experts say.
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As memories of the 2003 blazes fade, some local leaders worry that federal officials are forgetting the lessons learned that fall. Without enough fire-prevention money, they say, it is only a matter of time before the county faces another massive wildfire.
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Forest Service officials say spending on vegetation removal in San Diego County is $1 million to $2 million a year. In 2004, the agency issued about $10 million in grants for the region.
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“Somebody is responsible for removing these dead trees, and it isn't happening,” he said. “You want to avoid another fire – that should be clear to everyone by now.”