East County News Service

August 8,2024 (Mount Laguna)—The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association will present its 35^th annual Living History Presentation at Mount Laguna’s Red-Tailed Roost, located at 10401 Sunrise High near mile marker 22.5.  

The program will be held Saturday, August 31 (9 a.m.to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and again on Sunday, September 1 (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

By Julie Cart , CalMatters

Photo: The Park Fire burning near Chico is a rare example of a blaze apparently caused by arson. Image from Cal Fire video

August 10, 2024 (San Diego) -- Of all the insidious threats faced by wildland firefighters — extreme heat, desiccated forests, unpredictable fire behavior and a nearly year-round fire season — what might be the most fearsome? 

Humans.

People do dangerous things, things that start wildfires. Pushing a burning car into a gully. Mowing the lawn on a hot summer day. Miswiring a hot tub. Driving cars with flat tires. Burning toilet paper rather than packing it out of a campsite. Setting off smoke bombs at gender reveal parties.

In hot, dry conditions already primed for fire, people’s actions can quickly escalate from a harmless mistake — such as hammering a metal stake into the parched ground — to igniting a blaze that kills a firefighter.

People — whether purposeful, reckless or simply careless —  are responsible for about 95% of California’s wildfires. Last year alone, people caused more than 7,000 wildfires in California; nationally, it was more than 50,000.

Update Aug. 3, 2024: All evacuation warnings have been lifted for the  #Nixon Fire. Cal Fire investigators have found the cause was a privately owned electrical panel.

Update Aug. 2, 2024:The #NixonFire is 21% contained at 5,222 acres.  The cause was a malfunctioning electrical panel at a private residence, Cal Fire reports. The evacuation center at Temecula Valley High School, 31555 Rancho Vista Rd., Temecula, CA 92592 closed today and a reception and care center will open at Hamilton High School in Anza at 9 a.m. today. Operating hours will be at 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. beginning Saturday.

Update Aug. 1, 2024:  The #NixonFire is 14% contained and is now 5,194 acres.  Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

July 31, 2024  (San Diego's East County) -- An evacuation warning has been issued for parts of San Diego County near Warner Springs due to the fast-moving #NixonFire which started in Riverside County.  Residents should be prepared to evacuate if needed. For fire maps and updated evacuation details, visit alertsandiego.org/en-us.html and shorturl.at/DNmFH, the San Diego Sheriff advises. 

The #NixonFire is 4,941 acres and 5% contained, burning to the south and east in rugged terrain. Overnight,a spot fire briefly crossed the county line into San Diego County,but was extinguished by firefighters.

At least 7 homes have burned in Riverside County, NBC 7 reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- August has some amazing events for summertime fun, including the Mt. Helix Food & Wine Festival,  a Dweezil Zappa concert at The Magnolia, Summer Jams at Santee Lakes, live music at Julian Heroes, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, sunset train rides at the historic Campo depot, a summer twilight walk at MIssion Trails Regional Park, and live music at Sycuan including LOCASH and the Jacksons.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Team USA

July 31, 2024 (Santee) – An East County athlete is making a big splash at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Alex Bowen scored three goals in Team USA’s second match, helping lead the team to a 14-8 victory over Romania.  Team USA will compete against Greece next Thursday.

Bowen was a star athlete at Santana High School, where he served as captain of both the water polo and swim teams. He helped lead the teams to several titles and was named most valuable player for the Grossmont North/Valley League in three consecutive years, 2008 through 2010.

After graduating, Bowen played water polo for Stanford University, scoring over 200 goals in four years. He was named a First Team All-American each year at Stanford.He later turned professional, competing in many countries, most recently for Noisy-le-Sec in France.

East County News Service

July 24, 2024 (Alpine) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), one of San Diego’s largest trade associations for San Diego-area realtors, is applauding the volunteer efforts of PSAR member and Alpine resident Jeff Campbell who is collecting new shoes, newborn to size 13, for foster children until August 17.

Photo:  View from Lyons Peak, Jamul, looking south

Update 4 p.m.-- Forward spread of the #Border66Fire has been stopped at 300 acres, per Cal Fire.

July 30, 2024 (Tecate) - The #Border66Fire that started 2.5 miles west of Highway 188, Tecate this afternoon is now 296 acres and has crossed the international border, Cal Fire reports.

The fire has a moderate rate of spread and zero containment thus far. There is potential for extended attack and multiple air tankers have been requestesd.

Update 8:30 p.m.The Nixon Fire has swelled to 3,500 acres, per pilot estimates reported on Watch Duty App.  A helitanker will be working the fire through the night, though some other air drops have been halted overnight. Winds have been shifting and there is no containment as darkness falls.

Per Cal Fire, nearly 2,000 residences are affected by evacuation orders and warnings.  This includes Sunshine Summit in San Diego County, where residents report Sheriff's deputies advising them to evacuate tonight, as well as in Aguanga, Cahuillo and possibly other communities in this rapidly evolving situation.

 

Update 6 p.m.-- The fire is now 1,000, burning into Beauty Mountain Wilderness. Homes remain threatened.  Additional large air tankers and other resources have been requestesd by the incident commander, Watch Duty app reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2024 (Aguanga, CA) – A fast moving brush fire that started between Aguanga and Anza is threatening numerous homes and has sparked evacuation orders and warnings in Aguanga and on the Cahuilla reservation.  The fire in Riverside County is just over the San Diego County line, a few miles of Warner Springs.

It is burning eastward and per Cal Fire is currently around 295 acres with 0% containment. 

An evacuation center has been opened at Temecula Valley High School (31555 Rancho Vistas Rd., Temecula).  Animal services will be on site to assist with animals.

The fire has a dangerous rate of spread,per the incident commander and news photographers on site.