Sheriff, Fire Marshal and County Parks and Recreation support Trails Council efforts

FALLBROOK – San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Mark Cahill, San Diego County Fire Captain Randy Meers, and North County Fire Division Chief and Fire Marshal Sid Morel, have indicated they are immediately offering support to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy Trails Council’s efforts to make Santa Margarita Reserve and the Sandia Creek Trailhead safe and clean.

In response to the Trails Council’s request for assistance, the sheriff’s department has begun regular vehicular, off-road vehicle, and foot patrols of these areas and the more than 12 miles of trails throughout the 1200 acres of the Fallbrook Public Utility District property. Signs indicate that this area is open only from dawn to dusk and vehicles left parked in these areas after hours will be towed at the owner’s expense. The most common violations that will be cited include unleashed dogs, drug use, public intoxication, graffiti and vandalism.

A Trails Council leader, Bert Hayden, has recently completed mapping and posting trail markers along the entire 12 mile trail system. For the public’s safety, some 50 of these trail markers, too often the target of vandals, identify coordinate locations, and have been shared with the North County Fire Protection District’s Don Krafft for the purpose of providing rapid response to people with an emergency on the trails.

County rangers are present daily at the Santa Margarita County Preserve located at 37385 De Luz Road. County staff has increased ranger patrols of its preserve and is making informational and enforcement contacts with visitors to get the word out about preserve safety, rules and regulations.

“Dogs must be on a leash” signs are posted at the staging area and throughout the preserve trails. County staff is working with the Trails Council, Animal Control and the Sheriff’s Department to insure continuity of coverage between the park and trailhead areas and to make sure the public is safely enjoying the preserve.

On Aug. 21 at noon, at the Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane, FLC Trail Council members, County Parks and Recreation and other agency staff will host a trail safety workshop covering a variety of trail safety topics such as dogs on leash, avoiding common hazards, how to report hazards and volunteer patrol opportunities.

RSVP: [email protected], (760) 731-3909,

[email protected] or (760) 731-9441.