Fire Chief Bret Davidson will speak on wildfire preparedness at Solana Beach City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.

The talk follows the Henderson Fire on Camp Pendleton, which sent smoke toward Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista starting Oct. 15. Davidson leads the Del Mar and Solana Beach Fire Department and has 39 years of fire service experience, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. He began his career in 1986 in Pine Valley and has served with departments in El Centro, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe and Vista.

The event is free and open to the public at 635 South Hwy. 101. Parking is available behind the building off South Sierra, the Union-Tribune reported. The Solana Beach Civic & Historical Society and Solana Beach Community Connections are co-sponsoring the talk.

Henderson Fire underscores local risk

The Henderson Fire continues to burn in grass and brush on Camp Pendleton near Basilone and Las Pulgas roads. Fire activity moderated after earlier wind-driven runs, according to a Wildfire Explorer incident report. Zero injuries and zero fatalities had been reported as of Oct. 16. The cause remains under investigation.

CAL FIRE's updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, which took effect July 18, 2025, expanded the High and Very High designations across Solana Beach, according to the city's FHSZ page. Very High and High zones concentrate in the east-central canyons near San Andres, Solana Hills and Canyon Drive. Deep canyons funnel embers from inland fire zones toward canyon-rim homes, according to a Del Mar Community Connections presentation.

Most of the built-out area west of Highway 101 and the rail corridor falls outside the mapped hazard zones, according to the presentation.

Open house on Halloween

The Solana Beach Fire Department will hold its annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire station, 500 Lomas Santa Fe Dr.

This year's Fire Prevention theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home," according to the city's event page. The department plans to share tips on safely buying, charging, using and disposing of rechargeable devices such as phones, laptops, e-bikes and power tools.

Visitors can tour the station, meet first responders and take a hands-only CPR course provided by AMR, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation's event listing. Live music from the Rockademy School of Music rounds out the afternoon.

Costumes are encouraged.

Residents looking to reduce their own wildfire risk can start with defensible space. The city recommends clearing the first five feet around a home of combustible material and maintaining a lean, clean zone out to 30 feet. State law requires 100 feet of defensible space under Public Resources Code 4291, according to the city's defensible space guide.

Both events are free. Solana Beach City Hall can be reached at 858-720-2400.