East County News Service

August 9, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--More than 10,000 firefighters are battling over 17 active wildfires statewide. The largest of these, the Rocky Fire, has consumed nearly 70,000 acres in Lake, Colusa and Yolo Counties. Thunder and lightning continue to spark new fires, while gusty and erratic winds could also create extreme fire growth potential, says Fire Captain Kendal Bortisser, public information officer at CAL FIRE.

While CAL FIRE San Diego continues to support the Northern California wildfires with fire engines, bulldozers, hand crews, and support personnel, Captain Bortisser says, “We are committed to ensuring that firefighting resources are in place here in San Diego County as a top priority.” Days off have been cancelled for all CAL FIRE firefighters and off duty firefighters have been recalled back to work. Additionally, all 18 CAL FIRE stations throughout San Diego County are staffed, he adds.

 CAL FIRE is asking all residents to be careful outdoors. Even simple household chores like cutting dead down dry grass can spark a wildfire if not done the right way with the right tool. To learn more go to www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

Below are updates from CAL FIRE on the wildfires burning statewide as of Friday night:

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 3, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Wildfires are burning throughout the State and things will only get worse before they get better says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. If by chance you are near a wildfire, you may be asked to evacuate. Here are some things you should know if you find yourself in that situation:

July 31, 2015 (San Diego) –CAL FIRE Captain and Public Information Officer Kendal Bortisser has provided the following statewide fire status on behalf of the CAL FIRE San Diego Unit and County Fire Chief Tony Mecham:

East County News Service

July 28, 2015 (San Diego)—Circling the Wagons, a screenplay by Ed Clark, an electrical engineer and insurance investigator, alleges that an electrical design flaw caused the 2003 Cedar Fire as well as the 2007 Witch Creek and Paradise fires.  Moreover, he contends the flaws have not been fixed and public safety remains at risk.  San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) denies those claims.

July 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Heartland Fire & Rescue, serving the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, is currently accepting applications for the reserve portion of the Heartland Fire Academy through August 7, 2015. Applications will be accepted between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 100 E. Lexington Avenue in El Cajon.

Update July 25, 2015 8 a.m.:  The CutCa Fire on Palomar Mountain held steady at 200 acres overnight but is still only 2% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Webcam at Palomar Observatory

July 24, 2015 (Palomar) – A fire that started near the Palomar Observatory at High Point Truck Trail is now 200 acres, Cleveland National Forest reports.  The blaze, dubbed CutCa, is not currently threatening structures but is burning in a remote area, making firefighters’ task challenging. The fire is zero percent contained.

Earlier, air tankers made drops on the moderate to rapidly spreading flames.  Golden Eagle, Palomar and Big Bear hot shot crews were been airlifted into the area.  Units from multiple fire agencies including Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service are also battling the CutCa fire. Reporting San Diego reports that a night crew is coming in from Los Angeles and a single night-flying helicopter is making drops on the fire.

July 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- Stay safe and informed!  East County Magazine's free wildfire and emergency alert service has been busy lately warning people here about flash floods, wildfires, roadway hazards and severe weather.

Our regional emergency alerts come via email, so you can get them even if phone lines burn down. You can also get alerts on your cell phone. Plus you can receive our free weekly newsletter with top news stories in our region.

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County News Service

Photo: NIFC.gov

Update July 21: Supervisors voted unanimously to ask the Obama administration to take action and allow USFS air tankers to land in Ramona.

July 20, 2015 (Ramona)—The U.S. Forest Service is refusing to fly its newest air tankers in and out of Ramona Air Attack Base – and the Board of Supervisors may turn to the White House for help.  

On Tuesday, July 21 at 9 a.m. Supervisors will consider a proposal from Chairman Bill Horn and Supervisor Dianne Jacob to appeal the decision to the Obama Administration. With the high-risk fall fire season approaching, they say flying the next-gen tankers in and out of Ramona could help save lives and protect property.

July 18, 2015 (San Diego)  –  San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has awarded $1,000,000 in grants to over 87 regional safety partners as part of SAFE San Diego, a SDG&E philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to disaster preparedness, emergency response training, wildfire education, and defensible space assistance programs.

Update: 10 News reports cars underwater in Ramona.

Update: Heartland Fire also reports flooding in La Mesa on Avocado between 70th St. and Guava.

The City of La Mesa has cancelled its Sundays at Six concert tonight due to flooding around Harry Griffen Park.

July 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The CHP incidents page reports numerous roadway hazards related to the stormy weather, including some rockin' and rollin' mud, rocks and flooding. Here are the latest details:

• State Route 79 at Chihuahua Valley: Sig Alert issued, roadway shut down
• I-8 east, old Sunrise Highway: large rocks down in lanes
• Highway 79 at Horizon View Drive: Rock slides blocking lanes
• State Route 78 at Wynola:  Mud and rockslide blocking one side of highway
• Old Julian Highway just west of Camel Dairy: road blocked both ways by rocks
• I-15 south connection to Highway 52: rider down in lane
• Ramona View Dr. in El Cajon: roadway completely washed out
  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Talia Sclafania, via Twitter

July 18,2015 (San Bernadino County) – A fast-moving brush fire roared out of control yesterday in the Cajon Pass in San Bernadino County, trapping vehicles on the I-15 freeway along the main route from San Diego County to Vegas.  The blaze destroyed two semi-trucks and 18 other vehicles, damaging 10 more.  TV footage showed people fleeing along the side of the freeway and some vehicles turning backwards in what some have dubbed "Carmageddon."

At least two people suffered minor burns. A photo Tweeted by soccer player Talia Slafania, forced to abandon her vehicle, captured the terrifying panorama.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 2011 City of San Diego

July 10, 2015 (San Diego) – In an interview with KPBS, retiring San Diego Councilmember Marti Emerald said she plans one final major action.

Photo: City of El Cajon’s first fire truck, 1924

July 8, 2015 (El Cajon)--It’s been years in the planning, but retired El Cajon Fire Chief Ed Jarrell, partnering with Parkway Plaza, is bringing a fire museum to the City of El Cajon!  It’s been a long-time dream for the former Fire Chief to provide the City with a history of firefighting in El Cajon, inspiring youth to pursue a fire career and to provide safety education to those who visit the museum.

By Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Last week, we reminded you that fireworks are illegal in San Diego County and cautioned you about the dangers.  Today we have some stories that make clear why shooting off your own fireworks is not a good idea. Fireworks caused fires locally and statewide including a major brush fire, as well as some serious injuries.

East County News Service

Photo: View from Lyons Peak, Jamul, courtesy UCSD HP Wren webcam

Update 3:30 p.m. -

• Mudslide across roadway: Highland Valley and Archie Moore roads, Ramona, CHP site reports
• Hellhole Canyon Preserve: Vegetation fire, North County, per scanner
• Lightning fire on hillside, Bancroft and Campo Rd. reported, scanner and CHP

June 30, 2015 (Lakeside) 2:40 p.m. - Thunder, lightning and heavy fires are sparking multiple emergency responses across East County. Here are highlights within the past hour:

• Flooding is reporting in Alpine at Tavern and East Willow Road exits.
• A fire was reported at 94 near Shockey Truck Trail.
• Fire crews have also been dispatched to Kitchen Creek near Cameron Truck Trail, per scanner traffic.
• An earlier fire on Highway 67 near Slaughterhouse Canyon is out, halted at about 3 acres.
• Power lines are down and a power pole reported leaning across the roadway at Dye Road in Ramona.
• SDG&E reports power outages in Eastlake/Otay are impacting 171 customers with restoration estimated at 6:30 p.m.
• A larger outage is affected 623 households in Dulzura, Potrero, Campo, Japatul Valley, Buckman Springs, And Morena Village areas with rsetoration estimated for 4:30 p.m.