San Diego Fire Center
Summary
SCH Number
2025110726
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
San Diego Fire Center
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/18/2025
Document Description
This project proposes to construct a fire center for three Type 1 hand crews using existing structures, roads, and infrastructure from the footprint of a previous private health care rehabilitation facility. Construction will require both remodeling of existing structures and new construction of a parking lot, apparatus bay, and fueling station. Three 15-person hand crews are expected to staff the facility on a daily basis with a dozer and reserve engine being housed. The facility will also be used to host local unit training on occasion. The proposed CAL FIRE San Diego Fire Center will be located at 2815 Steele Canyon Road in El Cajon CA. in the southern portion of San Diego County. The project area is in an urban area adjacent to a school, a golf course, and within one mile of CAL FIRE SDU Headquarters in El Cajon. The relocation of the fire center will alleviate overcrowding at Headquarters.
Project activities will include: Replacement of office trailer where modular trailer currently exists; Utility connections requiring excavation of approximately 70 feet of electrical trenching (approx. 24” wide x 36” deep); Water line trenching, (approx.18” wide x 36” deep x 300’ long); Road within project site to access adjacent Jamul Drive; Construction of 2 crew vehicle apparatus bays (bus barns) approximately 100’ x 50’; Warehouse approx. 65’x75’ ft. attached to apparatus bay; Gasoline and diesel fuel dispensing station (15’x20’); Parking area approximately 50’ x 350’ on south end of compound; Security fence along perimeter of property; Paving parking areas on existing paved and unpaved lots.
Improvements and remodel will include: Improving existing paved ¼ mile perimeter road; Repair of existing paved access roads; Removal of existing fence and installation of approximately 4000’ of security fencing along existing metal wire and wood fence perimeter; Backfilling of a swimming pool; Remodel of existing 36,000 sq. ft. main building; Remodeling existing housing into barracks; Removal of one trailer near the classrooms to be replaced with new double wide trailer.
Contact Information
Name
Christina Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
El Cajon
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Jamul Drive
Zip
92019
State Highways
State Highway 54
Schools
Jamacha Elementary School
Township
16S
Range
1W
Section
32
Base
SBBM
Other Location Info
2815 Steele Canyon Road, El Cajon, CA 92019
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301-Existing Facilities; Section 15303-New Construction/Conversion; Section 15311-Accessory Structures
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of Class 1 - Existing Facilities, Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, and Class 11 – Accessory Structures Categorical Exemptions to CEQA.
Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply that would preclude the use of a notice of exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland or timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation or traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CALFIRE’s San Diego Unit Headquarters.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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