- Target:
- City of Carlsbad
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- friendsofaviara.org
On May 14th, a deadly fire threatened 1,823 elementary and middle school students at Aviara Oaks campus, as well as more than 500 single family homes. Additionally, hundreds of condos and apartments were also at risk. One transient -- who lived in the encampment near the Aviara Oaks campus -- lost his life.
Hundreds of parents attempting to pick up their children from Aviara Oaks were ensnarled in paralyzing traffic jams as the wind-whipped flames swept across the canyons.
Some families were told to abandon their cars and run from the flames. Clearly, there are steps we can take as a community to make sure this loss of life and terror is not repeated here again.
As citizens of southern Carlsbad, we believe the following steps need to be taken to protect our residents:
1. Be it resolved that as a matter of city policy, some form of public address system will be used to notify neighborhoods, including homeless encampments, of approaching fire, or other dangers. Many did not receive reverse 911 calls and some, of course, do not have phone lines on which to receive reverse 911 calls.
2. Be it resolved that the homeless encampment in the Aviara Oaks Canyon will not be allowed to rebuild.
The Poinsettia Fire was the second fire in the Aviara Oaks Canyon in less than three years. A 2012 two-alarm fire burned to within 500 feet of homes. That fire, which was started accidentally in the homeless encampment, did not force a campus evacuation because it occurred after school hours. However homeowners expressed concern about the fire potential posed by the growing encampment to Mayor Matt Hall in a Jan. 21, 2012, letter and at a town hall-style meeting at Dove Library sponsored by Friends of Aviara two months later.
3. Be it resolved, land on the east side of Ambrosia – between the school campus and the Windsor apartments – will be utilized to provide parking and additional thoroughfares for transporting students to and from campus by car and by foot.
4. Be it resolved, Poinsettia Lane will be completed at the expense of the city, i.e. without waiting on developers to construct additional housing. The completion of this road is necessary to secure the safety of the community by improving traffic circulation near and through southern Carlsbad.
5. Be it resolved, Carlsbad police will be available to expedite evacuations, including utilizing the enhanced traffic and safety system to release traffic lights to allow for more efficient flow of traffic, preventing gridlock.
We, undersigned residents of Carlsbad and voters, support these five steps because they are vital to preventing future loss of life, damage and trauma to our community.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Poinsettia Fire Petition petition to City of Carlsbad was written by De'Ann Weimer and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.