Rancho Bernardo couple shares concerns about vegetation fire nearly 18 years after the Witch Fire

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Almost 18 years ago, the Witch Fire burned more than 197,990 acres in San Diego County.

As Rancho Bernardo residents remember the damage it did to the community, Ed and Jo Christman say they can't create defensible space around their home because they don’t own the land behind their property.

Living right next to a golf course for more than 20 years comes with its challenges.

“I can deal with golf balls coming in,” longtime Rancho Bernardo resident Jo Christman said.

But, she says she can’t deal with this.

“Not only is it a terrible fire hazard," Christman said. "If they don’t maintain it, it’s gonna just keep move all the way across.”

The vegetation growing out of control nearly touches Jo and Ed Christman’s roof, but they can’t do anything because it’s not on their property, and San Diego County is heading into the peak fire season.

“As we move into the season of the Santa Anas, it’s going to intensify,” Cal Fire Cpt. Mike Cornette said.

Mike Cornette with Cal Fire says fighting a blaze in areas like this near homes can pose greater dangers as firefighters attempt to rescue residents and put out the flames.

“We’re even more safe than we are in these areas because we know there are those hidden hazards,” Cornette said.

The increased fire risk hits close to home for the Christman’s who remember the anniversary of the Witch Fire that swept through Rancho Bernardo on Oct. 21, 2007, burning down more than 365 homes.

“We watched our daughter lose everything, but the clothes that they were wearing when they left," Ed Christman said.  

While they’re prepared with their go bag and maintain the vegetation on their property, she says their hands are tied.

“Do I have five feet away? I don’t think so, so don’t tell me you care, if you’re not going to do anything,” Christman said.

Their concerns come as a small fire in 4S Ranch on Sunday nearly burned down homes in that area.

“The older we get, the more it’s concerning because the less mobile we are to be honest with you," Christman said.

The couple says they’ve reached out to the Oak North Golf Course multiple times to clear out the brush, but they never get a response.

“I left my name, phone number, and never heard back," Ed Christman said. "No response at all.”

While Cal Fire says the fire season has been mild so far in terms of acreage burned, things could change quickly.

“We're very vulnerable. I don't think there is a safe place in Rancho Bernardo if there's a fire,” Christman said.

FOX 5 and KUSI News reached out to the Oak North Golf Course, but they were not available for comment.

Cal Fire says their recent report shows San Diego County can expect normal to above average fire activity from now until January.