Update 11 a.m. -- The fire is now 80% contained. Base officials say live fire operations started the blaze, which has charred 250 acres.

June 27, 2012 (Oceanside) – A brush fire that started yesterday has scorched over 200 acres.  According to the North County Times, the blaze started north of the base and was 15% contained late yesterday. No structures were threatened.

“The fire is still active. As of 5:30 a.m. the Camp Pendleton Fire Dept. did not have a percentage of containment," ECM’s in-house Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna , author of the From the Chief’s Corner  column, advised.  "Today will be warm and the possibility of “flare-ups” may occur and/or intentional “burning out” targeted areas which ‘may’ or may not cause smoke drift."

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

East County Magazine “In - House Fire Chief”

June 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Don't assume that someone else has already called. Describe the location of the fire, speak slowly and clearly, and answer any questions asked by the dispatcher.

Here are additional tips to take to protect your home and your family: 

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2012 (Lemon Grove)—It was a sweet victory for Lemon Grove Firefighters Saturday night, when driver Joe Lavigne climbed out of his smashed-up vehicle to claim his department’s trophy.  Lemon Grove entered two cars in the Firefighters’ Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar—and both made it into the final round.

 View our video of the final round by clicking above. 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated June 21, 2012: The Old Fire is now 100% contained at a cost of approximately $2.3 million

June 20, 2012 (Campo) – The Old Fire has charred 995 acres and is now 90% contained.  One residence burned, as well as a recreational vehicle (RV).  Cause remains under investigation, however electrical and lighting have been ruled out. There are no electrical lines near the origin of the blaze on the Campo Indian Reservation, nor were there any reports of lightning, Cal Fire reports.

June 19, 2012 (Campo) – Residents are being allowed back into the area along Old Highway 80 that was evacuated late Sunday afternoon due to the 900 acre “Old Fire” on the Campo Indian Reservation. Church Road at Old Highway 80 and by the 94 is still closed, and residents cannot come back into the location until it is safe to do so.

 Updated June 20, 2012 to include SDG&E's response

By Miriam Raftery

June 18, 2012 (Alpine) – A transformer fire broke out this afternoon at the site of the new Sunrise Powerlink, where the high voltage line had just been energized, Incident Page Network reports. 

“I can confirm that two transformers are on fire,” said Lori Bledsoe, editor at The Alpine Sun.  The transformers are taking power from the underground portion of the Powerlink and transferring the electricity into overhead lines, she added.

UPDATE July 18, 2012:  SDG&E has informed ECM that the Old Fire was not started by Sunrise Powerlink.  “The fire started on June 17 near Miller Valley,” Hanan Eisenman, communications manager, stated in an e-mail received June 18.  “At the closest point, Sunrise is two miles away. Therefore, this has nothing to do with the Sunrise Powerlink.” 

 Cause of the fire, which is now over 820 acres, remains under investigation, per Cal Fire.

Update 10:05 p.m.: This fire is now 450 acres, spreading rapidly. an estimated 150 homes are threatened and the blaze is zero percent contained.  A travel trailer has been destroyed. 

Road closures: Old 80 x La Posta rd, Old 80 x Crestwood, Hwy 94 x Church Rd, and Crestwood  2 miles east of Golden Acorn Casino.  There are 15 engine, 2 handcrews, 1 dozer, 4 airplanes, and 3 helicopters assigned. A shelter has been set up at Golden Acorn Casino.  A Cal-Fire spokesman told ECM there is room in the parking lot for trailered livestock as well. An earlier report that Golden Acorn had evacuated proved incorrect.

 June 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Approximately 443 households are without power as a 450-acre wildfire rages in or near their communities, ECM has learned. 

Is it just coincidence that earlier today, electricity was switched on to the 500 kilovolt (kv) Sunrise Powerlink for the first time, as UT San Diego reported today? 

At 2:53 p.m., SDG&E’s website states that “a combination of factors has caused a problem with a substation.” 

According to Cal-Fire, the wildfire, called the Old Fire, began around 3 p.m. 

June 17, 2012 (Campo)—The Golden Acorn Casino in Campo has been evacuated as a precaution, Cal-Fire spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik advises.  The Old Fire is now 300 acres at 7:40 p.m. Winds have shifted, pushing the fire east toward Boulevard. 

“High temperatures and erratic winds are hampering firefighting efforts,” Provaznik advised.

This fire was held at 10 acres. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area during the night.

June 17, 2012 (San Diego) -- A brush fire is burning along northbound I-15 at Friar's Road, burning in a ravine heading east, on the opposite site of a gas plant nearby. CHP has ordered the freeway shut down for 2-3 hours.  Evacuations have been ordered of homes in the area. 

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) – A brush fire this evening at Lavala Lane and Highway 8 Business loop in El Cajon charred at least two acares, forcing evacuations in the area briefly, Incident Page Network reported. Helicopters dropped water on the blaze, swiftly bringing it under control.

Heartland Fire Dispatch reports units are now being released from the scene.

June 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- A SIG ALERT has been issued for I-8 eastbound at College Avenue due to a brush fire. Two lanes are now blocked, Cal-Trans reports. Expect traffic delays.

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 with news and events for our region.

By Sam DiGiovanna

• Listen to your portable radio for reports and evacuation information.
• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
• Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
• Confine pets to one room.
• Arrange temporary housing.
• When advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Take your emergency kit.
• Lock your home.
• Follow the evacuation route that your local officials have identified.