NEW FIRES BURNING ACROSS COUNTY, SDG&E WARNS OF POWER SHUT-OFFS

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

May 14, 2014 (San Diego) 12:15 p.m. – High winds continue to fan flames across our region including new fires forcing evacuations in Carlsbad and Camp Pendleton and smaller spot fires in East County.

SDG&E has advised that it intends to shut off power proactively to prevent its lines from sparking more fires, following a powerline fire yesterday in Dulzura.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob issued this statement in response to SDG&E’s announcement.  “I’m deeply concerned about any shutoffs because they pose risks to property and life in an emergency, especially in areas where firefighters need access to well water,” said Jacob, who represents East County. “I urge the utility to cut power only as a last resort and only if there's an actual system failure that could ignite a wildfire.”

The Poinsettia Fire at Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road in Carlsbad, east of El Camino Real,  has resulted in evacuations ordered of 11,627 fires, Cal Fire reports.  Evacuees are advised to go to Westfield Plaza Camino Real at 2525 El Camino Real in Carlsbad. Structures have been lost.

Another fire called the Tomahawk Fire has forced evacuation of military housing at Camp Pendleton and has charred 100 acres so far. 

The Bernardo Fire has now topped 1,500 acres and is 25% contained, however roads are open and evacuation orders have been lifted as firefighters continue dousing hotspots.  Yesterday the Sheriff issued calls to 5,500 homes resulting in evacuation of an estimated 20,000 people.

Small spot fires in Santee and Lawson Valley near Jamul have been extinguished promptly.

Residents are urged to call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls and visit www.sdcountyemergency.com for updates online.

You can listen to Rural Fire, Cal Fire and Heartland Fire scanner traffic online at

here: http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/9733/web

Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine.  You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since you don't know what form of communications will work best in a major regional emergency.