LIBERTY STATION (KGTV) — More than 100 volunteers spent their Sunday pulling weeds and clearing debris at NTC Park in San Diego, working to reduce the amount of dry vegetation that fuels wildfires.
The effort was organized by community group ASEZ WAO, which partners with the city on cleanup projects. The group chose NTC Park based on a recommendation from the city.
Jose Rivera, who volunteered at the event, said removing dry vegetation is a direct way to slow the spread of wildfires.
"It helps contribute to reducing the risk and spread of wildfires such as many that we're seeing even today, last week, and even through the recent years," Rivera said.
Rivera explained why clearing the area matters.
"When we remove the weeds and the dry vegetation, that actually stops the spread of the wildfires. Wildfires, because of the dry vegetation which is all over San Diego, that actually spreads the wildfires quicker," Rivera said.
He also noted the significance of the location.
"It's in the backyard of military homes and families, so today's event is right in the city of San Diego and it's a very important event and a very important place to the community here in San Diego," Rivera said.
According to Cal Fire's incident report, there have been 22 fires across San Diego County this year.
ASEZ WAO previously completed a similar cleanup project in Los Peñasquitos. Rivera said the group plans to keep up the work across the county.
"So we're trying to do events as much as possible. Almost every month we're trying to do an event," Rivera said.
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