By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are providing free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas.
Rain can cause flooding and erosion, particularly in areas that are not covered by plants, landscaping, grass and trees. Rain runoff can sweep topsoil, mud, plant material and debris off land and downstream where it can damage homes, clog culverts and storm drains, and flood and damage roadways. Properly placed sandbags can help protect your home from flooding and destructive runoff.
Sand and bags, or bags alone, will be available for unincorporated residents at the fire stations located below.
People should call ahead to double-check availability and remember to bring a shovel to fill the bags. Some stations may have a limited supply.
Sand and Bags
- Lakeside: Lakeside River Park Conservancy (Map)
12108 Industry Road, Lakeside 92040
P: 619-443-4770 Mon – Fri 7- 4:30, Sat. and Sun. (During major storms Sat and Sun 9-2. Bring your own shovel; 10 per household)
- Spring Valley: Spring Valley Library (Map)
836 Kempton St., Spring Valley CA 91977
P: 619-463-1796
Bags Only
- Borrego Springs: Borrego Springs – Ocotillo Wells Fire Station #61(Map) 5841 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 P: 760-767-7430
- Campo: Campo Fire Station #40 (Map) 31577 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5516
- Campo: Campo – Lake Morena Fire Station #42 (Map)
29690 Oak Drive, Campo, CA 91906
P: 619-478-5960
- Escondido: Deer Springs Fire Station #11 (Map)
8709 Circle R Dr, Escondido, CA 92026
P: 760-751-0820
- Escondido: Deer Springs Fire Station #13 (Map)
10308 Meadow Glen Way E, Escondido, CA 92026
P: 760-751-0820
- Descanso: Descanso Fire Station #45 (Map)
24592 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso, CA 91916
P: 619-445-7508
- El Cajon: El Cajon – Harbison Canyon Fire Station #24 (Map)
551 Harbison Canyon Road, El Cajon, CA 92019
P: 619-445-5001
- El Cajon: El Cajon – Flinn Springs Fire Station #21 (Map)
9711 Flinn Springs Road, El Cajon, CA 92021
P: 619-443-7121
- Escondido: Escondido – Miller Fire Station #15 (Map)
9127 W. Lilac Road, Escondido, CA 92025
P: 760-728-8532
- Jacumba: Jacumba Fire Station #43 (Map)
1255 Jacumba Street, Jacumba, CA 91934
P: 619-766-4535
- Jamul: Jamul – Deerhorn Fire Station #37 (Map)
2383 Honeysprings Road, Jamul, CA 91935
P: 619-468-3030
- Jamul: Jamul Fire Station #36 (Map)
14024 Peaceful Valley Ranch Rd, Jamul, CA 91935
P: 619-669-6580
- Jamul: Lyons Valley – Fire Station #32 (Map)
17759 Skyline Truck Trail, Jamul, CA 91935
P: 619-468-3435
- Mount Laguna: Mount Laguna Fire Station #49 (Map)
33947 Mount Laguna Drive, Mt. Laguna, CA 91948
P: 619-473-8281
- Pine Valley: Pine Valley Fire Station #44 (Map)
28850 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962
P: 619-578-6621
- Ranchita: Ranchita Fire Station #58 (Map)
37370 Montezuma Valley Road, Ranchita, CA 92066
P: 760-782-3467 *(Not staffed 24/7)
- San Pasqual: San Pasqual Fire Station #84 (Map)
17701 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025
P: 858-573-1322
- Warner Springs: Warner Springs Fire Station #52 (Map)
31049 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086
P: 760-782-3560
Residents are encouraged to visit AlertSanDiego.org for information about what they should do in case of an emergency.
People can also check out this how-to video, “You’ve Got Your Sandbags, Now What?” that explains how to properly fill and use sandbags to protect your property.