Update:  The fire has grown to over 800 acres and 450 homes are evacuated, however it is now 50% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

Photo credit: ECM news partner 10 News

October 27, 2017 (San Diego) – The #WildomarFire has charred 700 acres in the Wildomar  are of Cleveland National Forest, which is located near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, just over the San Diego-Riverside County line.

Two hundred homes have been evacuated. The fire is currently 15 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Find details on evacuations here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5652/

Smoke from fires in Mexico including a large forest fire near Rosarito also continue to impact air quality in San Diego County, prompting the county's smoke advisory cautioning residents to avoid outdoor activities in areas with smoke.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- We are currently under severe fire conditions.  Homeowners living in and near the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are advised to do the following:

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

October 22, 2017 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a red flag warning for high fire danger as well as an excessive heat warning. Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday could top 100 degrees in our inland region and may stay above 70 degrees even at night. 

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alert Service

Photo by Don Lumb, taken minutes after the fire was reported.

Update Octoer 22, 2017 7:45 a.m.:  The Church Fire in Campo is now 75% contained, and Cal Fire has revised size downward to 100 acres.

Photo by Miriam Raftery: 2007 Harris Fire in Rancho San Diego

Video by José Eli Villanueva:  https://youtu.be/kgnVYh3lQrM

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications

October 20, 2017 (San Diego) -- As firefighters struggle to get deadly wildfires under control in Northern California, San Diego County and City officials marked the 10^th anniversary of the 2007 Wildfires and called upon residents to do their part to prepare for another emergency.

By Miriam Raftery, photos by Richard Edwords

October 17, 2017 (San Diego) – A contracted firefighter from Missouri has died in Napa Valley after the water truck he was driving overturned.  Fatigue may have been a factor, according to Cal Fire. 

Richard Edwords, a contracted water truck driver from Alpine on the scene in Napa, has been sending photos documenting his experience in the fires to East County Magazine, including poignant notes of thanks, such as this one (right):

October 15, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- The #Wilson Fire in Warner Springs is now 10 to 15 acres with a moderate rate of spread, Cal Fire reports.

The blaze began around 1:30 p.m. at Wilson Road, east of San Felipe, according to Cal Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2017 (El Cajon) –“The unimaginable destruction of the ongoing northern California wildfires that have taken homes, schools, and lives has proven devastating to thousands upon thousands of families,” says Nancy Padilla, one of three East County women organizing a caravan of relief supplies to help fire survivors. “The daily images from this historic disaster have been both heartbreaking and terrifying, leaving those affected with literally nothing in the way of personal possessions. This week we will be collecting much needed supplies that will be transported by us to the affected area next weekend, and hope that many of our friends and supporters will be able to contribute to our efforts. Every little bit will help, and however much you can spare, in whatever form you give it, is meaningful and will make a difference,” she adds.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 12, 2017 (San Diego) -- Wildfires seem to be burning daily in almost every county. You may not live directly in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) however you will likely be impacted by the large amount of smoke generated by these fires.

Particulate matter generated from the smoke is the main public health threat during short-term exposure to wildfire smoke, so it’s crucial to protect yourself.

East County News Service

October 10, 2017 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to restrict drones from flying near or over fires and locations that have public safety temporary area restrictions to ensure public safety.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Service

Photo: Skott Dehla Crozz on Brush Fire Partyline's Facebook Page

October 9, 2017 (Tecate) – A brush fire is burning just south of the border in Tecate, Cal Fire Captain Isaac Sanchez advised in a phone interview with East County Magazine.  Cal Fire has positioned resources on the U.S. side of the border to prepare in case the blaze crosses over.

“I've seen 4 fire trucks heading out the 94,” Candie Wemple said in an email to East County Magazine. Posts on social media indicate black smoke is visible from Campo, Potrero and Barrett Junction.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

October 9, 2017 (San Diego ) – Governor Jerry Brown has declared states of emergency in Napa, Sonoma and Yuba Counties due to wildfires that have burned at least 1,500 homes and commercial buildings and killed at least one person, Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott said at a press conference today. There is zero percent containment as of late morning.  At least 16 major fires are burning statewide.

An estimated 20,000 people have been evacuated as fires blacken skies even in Bay Area cities, forced evacuations of hospitals, shut down schools and  threaten thousands more structures in California’s wine region, gold rush towns and even coastal counties.  Many residents fled for their lives during the night as fast-moving flames destroyed wineries, vineyards, major stores and homes, dousing dreams with despair.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

October 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all of inland San Diego County as medium to strong Santa Winds bring very dry and windy weather to our region starting tonight through early Tuesday.  Critical fire weather conditions are likely in parts of coastal foothills, valleys and mountain passes.

Northeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 55 miles per hour are forecast. This could bring power outages, broken tree limbs and debris on roadways as well as hazardous cross-winds for high-profile vehicles, so use caution if traveling.

By Paul Kruze

October 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Residents from San Diego's East County testified during the open comment period at last Thursday’s California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) meeting in Chula Vista.

Earlier in the day, the CPUC held a hearing on whether or not to approve a recommendation made by two CPUC administrative law judges to reject SDG&E’s application seeking to charge ratepayers for its uninsured losses in three of the 2007 wildfires. That hearing consisted largely of technical arguments. Afterward, a second meeting in Chula Vista was held for all parties involved, and public testimony was also taken. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Forest Service, in a series of messages sent on its Twitter account, warns that the growing cost of wildfires is taking money from other programs –including those that reduce fire threats.