NBC 7’s Joe Little stopped by 91.3 KPRI to learn about the emergency that led to the radio station’s creation.
One of the most unique radio stations in San Diego County was born out of an emergency.
Rez Radio 91.3 FM recently celebrated its 12th anniversary. It was created shortly after the 2007 wildfires surrounded the Pala Indian Reservation.
Rez Radio station manager John Fox said residents were cut off from information because San Diego-area stations weren’t reporting on the fire’s movements in the northern parts of San Diego County and they couldn’t get accurate information when the power was shut down.
“The 2007 fires were just a disaster around here. Pala was surrounded,” said on-air talent Mark Gleason.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
“It’s a service. It’s a service to the tribe,” Fox added.
Since then, Rez Radio has won a number of awards while focusing much of its attention on local issues.
“Rez Radio is a concept unique to Southern California for sure,” smiled Fox, who said 91.3 is the only tribal-owned radio station broadcasting from tribal land in Southern California.
Local
“There’s a huge amount of pride because it’s such a unique thing,” Gleason said.
“I was so jazzed about it,” said Tracy Lee Nelson, a world-famous blues musician and member of the neighboring La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians.
“It’s immensely important to the tribes all around,” he said.
Fox said only 20,000 people can hear their signal right now. However, he said local tribal leaders are looking at a plan to work together and boost the signal to reach hundreds of thousands of listeners.
