Friday, June 5, 2026
San Diego County breaks ground on new Jacumba fire station
Construction has begun on a new fire station in Jacumba that officials say will improve fire protection and emergency medical services across the rural backcountry.
Photo courtesy of San Diego County
A model of Fire Station 43 in Jacumba, which just broke ground and is expected to open in 2027.
A model of Fire Station 43 in Jacumba, which just broke ground and is expected to open in 2027.
San Diego County officials and fire leaders have broken ground on a new fire station in Jacumba, which they say will improve emergency response capabilities in the rural backcountry community and surrounding areas.
The new Fire Station 43, expected to open in 2027, will replace existing facilities with a modern, 7,100-square-foot station designed to serve residents of Jacumba, neighboring communities and travelers along Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80.
Officials said the project is intended to strengthen fire protection and emergency medical services in a region where resources are often spread across large geographic areas.
"This fire station is pivotal to the protection of the backcountry," County Supervisor Joel Anderson said in a statement. "It is essential that we continue to invest in fire stations like this one to protect and support our communities."
The station will be staffed by personnel from San Diego County Fire and Cal Fire. Unit Chief Tony Mecham said the facility will support both firefighting operations and emergency medical care.
"We have a simple oath -- to serve our communities -- and this fire station will give us the ability to do that for many years to come," he said in a statement.
He noted in rural communities, firefighters often serve as primary emergency medical providers.
"While people see firefighting as our primary mission, in a rural area like this one, we are also a primary health provider," Mecham said. "We deliver pre-hospital and emergency medical care. The new Fire Station 43 will allow our crews to do that more efficiently and effectively."
County fire director Jeff Collins said the project reflects San Diego County's long-term investment in Jacumba and its ongoing revitalization efforts.
"Jacumba is remarkable for its history, small-town character and natural environment, and the new fire station will meet the community's expectation while enhancing the safety and resilience of the area," he said.
Plans call for the station to include two apparatus bays, six dorm rooms, office space, a public lobby, kitchen, dining area, day room and fitness facility.
The project also incorporates sustainability features, including solar panels and battery storage systems. County officials said the building is designed to meet LEED Gold standards and achieve Zero Net Energy performance, generating as much energy annually as it consumes.
The land for the station was donated by SolaREIT as part of a nearby solar energy project currently under construction.
The new Fire Station 43, expected to open in 2027, will replace existing facilities with a modern, 7,100-square-foot station designed to serve residents of Jacumba, neighboring communities and travelers along Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80.
Officials said the project is intended to strengthen fire protection and emergency medical services in a region where resources are often spread across large geographic areas.
"This fire station is pivotal to the protection of the backcountry," County Supervisor Joel Anderson said in a statement. "It is essential that we continue to invest in fire stations like this one to protect and support our communities."
The station will be staffed by personnel from San Diego County Fire and Cal Fire. Unit Chief Tony Mecham said the facility will support both firefighting operations and emergency medical care.
"We have a simple oath -- to serve our communities -- and this fire station will give us the ability to do that for many years to come," he said in a statement.
He noted in rural communities, firefighters often serve as primary emergency medical providers.
"While people see firefighting as our primary mission, in a rural area like this one, we are also a primary health provider," Mecham said. "We deliver pre-hospital and emergency medical care. The new Fire Station 43 will allow our crews to do that more efficiently and effectively."
County fire director Jeff Collins said the project reflects San Diego County's long-term investment in Jacumba and its ongoing revitalization efforts.
"Jacumba is remarkable for its history, small-town character and natural environment, and the new fire station will meet the community's expectation while enhancing the safety and resilience of the area," he said.
Plans call for the station to include two apparatus bays, six dorm rooms, office space, a public lobby, kitchen, dining area, day room and fitness facility.
The project also incorporates sustainability features, including solar panels and battery storage systems. County officials said the building is designed to meet LEED Gold standards and achieve Zero Net Energy performance, generating as much energy annually as it consumes.
The land for the station was donated by SolaREIT as part of a nearby solar energy project currently under construction.
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