The Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District is pleased to be partnering with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County to help the residents of Bonita better protect their homes against the dangers of wildfires.

The Defensible Space Assistance Program (DSAP) is a service designed to assist homeowners that need to create defensible space around their home, but may not be able to do so due to physical, economic, or other potential barriers.

To be eligible for the Designated Space Assistance Program, the following requirements must be met:

  • You must be the legal owner of the property to be serviced
  • Your property must be within the DSAP 2026 service area
  • You must first participate in the Home Assessment Program, and have a visit completed by a trained staff member from the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. If you meet the DSAP eligibility requirements, you may be referred to this program to assist with the recommendations made by the assessment. You will not need to complete an additional application.
  • You must be unable to complete the work necessary to create defensible space due to physical and economic barriers:
    • 65+ years old or facing major physical or mental disability
    • Household income of less than $57,000 annually (one person household)
    • Household income of less than $66,150 annually (two person household)
    • Income guidelines are based on 50% of San Diego County’s Area Median Income (external link)

  • The Defensible Space Assistance Program is designed to assist you in bringing your property into compliance with local Fire Code requirements; however the program will only provide for one day of work services, so it is not guaranteed that a full 100′ feet of defensible space will be created, based on the size of your property and the amount of work that may be required.
  • The program provides one day of defensible space work per property, including brush/tree trimming and thinning, raking of dead leaves/pine needles, and chipping of cleared vegetation.
  • Work will be completed to Cal Fire and Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District guidelines.
  • Work will be performed by professional contractors, who are bonded and insured.

Sign up for your home assessment at http://www.firesafesdcounty.org/hap (external link.) If you have questions, or require help completing your application, you may contact Morgan Dioli at the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County at 619-562-0096, or email firesafe@rcdsandiego.org.

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