Wildfire and Emergency News

BRUSH FIRE IN SPRING VALLEY

 

June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A four-acre brush fire on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley threatened homes in the 1400 block of Coronado.  The fire caused some damage to decks and external walls, Chief August Ghio of San Miguel Fire has confirmed.


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POWAY BLAZE CHARS 12 ACRES

Editor’s note: ECM was unable to issue a wildfire alert yesterday for this fire due to a computer server crash at the national service that we utilize for our alerts. We regret this omission, which was beyond our technical control.

June 8, 2010 (Poway) – A brush fire burned approximately 12 acres yesterday afternoon on a hill near Metate Lane and Community Road in Poway yesterday afternoon.


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MULTIPLE SMALL FIRES BURNING AROUND COUNTY

 

Update 3:30 p.m. - These fires are now contained. The Quail fire in Flinn Springs was caused by a mulch pile that ignited. Causes of the other fires remain under investigation.

Update 2:10 p.m. -- A third fire is reported in Flinn Springs at Quail Canyon and Ranch Trail; no structures are threatened.  A fourth fire is burning in Lakeside on Rancho Trail and air support has been requested.  The Japatul fire is now contained.

June 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of two brush fires. Both fires started shortly before 1 p.m. and each is currently about two to three acres in size.  Details below. 


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SATURDAY’S SLAUGHTERHOUSE CANYON FIRE BENEATH SITE OF PROPOSED POWERLINK RAISES NEW CONCERNS

 

“Those power lines are going to be a detriment to the air attack program and the ground program…More country is going to burn. It’s obvious.” – Bob Robeson, retired Division Chief, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire)

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2010 (Lakeside) – Swift attacks by aerial drops and ground crews narrowly succeeded in saving threatened homes Saturday along Highway 67 in the Slaughterhouse Canyon area of Lakeside, where several small fires started by a vehicle's catalytic converted merged into a 30-acre brush fire. But ECM columnist Dennis Richardson, an eyewitness to the firefighting efforts, raises a troubling concern.
Fires were burning directly along the route of the Sunrise Powerlink high voltage lines planned by SDG&E, he noted. (See map; fire was located between CP37-2 and CP31-2): http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/sunrise/pmr/sdge_final_pmr_fig38.pdf .

 

“The Cal-Fire aerial firefighters would not have been able to work this fire until it burned out from under the transmission wires,” Richardson stated. Saturday’s fire occurred in spring, when grasses were still green and winds were only 5 mph. Had it occurred in dry conditions during summer or fall, with even moderate winds, Richardson warned, “No telling how many homes and lives could have been lost.”


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CONTROLLED BURN AT MIRAMAR JUNE 2

 

June 1, 2010 (San Diego) – The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Fire Deparment will be conducting a series of prescribed burns on base property through June 30th. A scheduled burn is slated for tomorrow, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Miramar Fire Department Crews will be on a ridge top in east Miramar and smoke will be visible along SR-52, SR-163, from Interstate 15 as well as in local communities.


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BRUSH FIRE IN LAKESIDE

 

June 1, 2010 12:58 p.m. (Lakeside) – Structures were briefly threatened in a one-acre brush fire reported at 12:40 p.m. today in Del Sol and Los Coches Road. Full brush response, air support and mutual aid from multiple agencies  were requested by Santee Fire.
 

 


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2 FIRES QUICKLY CONTAINED

May 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A hawk flew into power lines today in Mira Mesa, igniting a fire that briefly threatened homes. The fire is now extinguished. This evening, Cal-Fire is at the scene of a small fire started by a riding lawn mower on Haverford Road in Ramona. The fire is surrounded and is expected to be out soon.


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CONCERT IN JAMUL JUNE 1 TO HELP DILIBERTI SAVE HIS ARTISTIC HOME; SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND FIRE BOARD MEETING FOLLOWNG RALLY

 

 

May 29, 2010 (Jamul)- Harmonica John and the Reggae Band PSYDECAR will perform at a post-Memorial Day gathering Tuesday, June 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. across the street from the fire station at 14024 Peaceful Valley Road in Jamul.

 


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SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIRE CONTAINED AT 30 ACRES

 

May 29, 2010 (Lakeside) 4:30 p.m. – A 30-acre fire centered at Slaughterhouse Canyon Road just north of Lakeside has been 100% contained at 30 acres. The fire was caused by pieces of a malfunctioning catalytic converter expelled from a vehicle, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik.

 

‘Now is the time of year to keep your vehicles properly maintained, so that fires like this don’t happen,” say’s Fire Investigator Captain Preston Fouts. Also to help prevent fires now that it’s camping season, R.V. owners are asked to check safety chains on the tow hitch and make sure they are tight and not sagging onto the pavement, causing sparks.


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5 FIRES BURNING ALONG HIGHWAY 67 IN LAKESIDE AREA -- HIGHWAY SHUT DOWN

 

1 p.m. update:  ECM publisher Mark Hanson, whose home overlooks the San Vicente Reservoir, says the fire appears to be out in his area following air drops on the blaze.  The U.S. Forest Service has also been called in to assist, Incident Page Network reports.


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JOBS ON THE LINE: SAN MIGUEL FIRE VOTES TO HOLD OFF ON FIREFIGHTER LAYOFFS AMID GROWING BUDGET DEFICIT

 

“The industry standard is one firefighter for every 1,000 in population. San Miguel is currently operating with one firefighter for every 5,400 taxpayers.”  - Alan Laatsch, president,  Firefighters Local 1434
May 27, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Facing a $1.6 million deficit, San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District’s Board tonight considered a proposal to lay off three firefighters, eliminate the Administrative Division Chief position and demote several officials.  But after hearing moving testimony from firefighters, fire and accident victims, and others in the community, the Board voted unanimously to reject the recommendation and consider other options.

 

Among the most moving testimony came from Doug de Brauwere, a father with young children. “I’ll be the first firefighter to be laid off,” he testified, his voice choked with emotion. “I spent 10 years serving my country; a year and a half of that was in Iraq.”


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SDG&E TO BRING 2,500-GALLON FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTER TO SAN DIEGO REGION

 

UTILITY ALSO PRESENTS ITS ENERGY RESOURCE PLAN FOR OUR REGION AT ECEDC COMMUNITY LEADERS SPOTLIGHT

May 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has announced that the company will bring the world’s largest heavy-lifting helicopter in the world to our region to construct Sunrise Powerlink, which SDG&E hopes to begin constructing this summer. “It can also be used for firefighting—and it can bring up to 2,500 gallons of water,” said Michael R. Niggli, president and chief operating officer of SDG&E. By contrast, the largest firefighting helicopter previously in San Diego had a capacity of 300 gallons, he said.

Niggli made the remarks during the East County Economic Development Council’s Community Leaders Spotlight at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego yesterday.  The company's executives also presented business and education leaders with its plans for economic revitalization and sustainable energy that SDG&E indicated will benefit East  County. 


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900-ACRE FIRE BURNING IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

May 21, 2010 (Riverside) – Cal-Fire reports a 900-acre fire is burning in Riverside County east of Corona. The fire, which is 70% contained at 4 p.m. today, was caused by equipment mowing. Full containment is expected at 6 p.m. tonight.


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NO-BURN ORDER ISSUED

 

May 21, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to the extreme danger of fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) San Diego division chief David Nissen has issued a no-burn proclamation.  The order suspends burning permits, campfires and other uses of open fire in all areas within San Diego and Imperial Counties for which Cal-Fire is responsible (with the exception of incorporated cities).  The order takes effect today.


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BRUSH FIRE AT MILITARY BASE

 

May 19, 2010 (Camp Pendleton) -- A 50-acre brush fire is burning this evening at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base n Oceanside, Incident Page Network reported at 6:40 p.m.  San Diego County Sheriff's Astrea chopper 10 and chopper 12 are assisting in battling the blaze, which is presently confined to the base. No further details are available at this time. 

In a separate incident, smoke has also been widely visible today from a controlled burn at Miramar Marine Corps Air Base.


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SMALL BRUSH FIRE DOUSED IN RAMONA

 

May 14, 2010 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire is mopping up hot spots from a quarter-acre brush fire at 1837 Pine Street and Washington Street in Ramona. The fire started at 2:45 the spread was stopped at 2:58, Cl-Fire reports. The cause is under investigation.


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SEE SMOKE? FIRE IN MEXICO NOT A CURRENT THREAT TO U.S.

May 14, 2010  3:55 p.m. (Dulzura) -- A 250-acre fire is burning in Mexico, approximately one and a half miles south of the border near Dulzura.  The blaze currently poses no threat to the U.S., according to Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.


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BRUSH FIRE DOUSED AT GOLF COURSE

May 12, 2010 (Jamul) – A small brush fire on the 13th hole of Cottonwood Golf Course on Willows Road near Jamul was swiftly extinguished by Cal-Fire and the San Miguel Fire Department. 


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BRUSH FIRE IN SANTEE

 

Update 5 p.m.  The fire, which burned approximately five acres,  has been halted.

May 12, 2010 (Santee) - A brush fire is burning at Big Rock Park, where evacuations are underway. In addition, Incident Page Network reports that Chet Harritt school is slated for evacuation.

Multiple units and air attacks are on scene, Cal Fire confirms.


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SAN MIGUEL FIRE DISTRICT TO HOLD FINANCIAL CRISIS FORUM JUNE 3

 

May 7, 2010 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District will host a “State of the Fire District” presentation and feedback forum. Information on the District’s fiscal forecast will include goals and objectives, current service levels, impacts on services from a shrinking revenue stream, steps taken thus far to balance the budget, and alternative revenue concepts.


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CAL-FIRE KICKS OFF WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH

 

May 6, 2010 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared May 2-8 Wildfire Awareness Week to remind Californians to be prepared for wildfires and vigilant as the state approaches peak fire season. CAL FIRE will also be using the week to highlight the importance of the homeowner’s role in preparing their property and families ahead of time to survive a wildfire.

 


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COMMITTEES PASS KEHOE’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUNDING BILL

April 22, 2010 (San Diego) – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that her legislation to generate new funding for emergency response equipment and personnel passed two Senate committees.

Senate Bill 1258 would create a 4.8 percent fee on home and commercial insurance policies that would be used for purchasing fire trucks, ambulances, fire fighting helicopters, and hiring more firefighters and other emergency responders.


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FIRE SAFETY FACTS

 

April 16, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Recently, a home without a smoke detector was destroyed in Spring Valley and another was severely damaged, San Miguel Fire Department reports. Did you know that:

✪Thirty-seven percent of the homes in the USA still don’t have a working smoke detector
✪Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a fire by half!
✪Nationally, 83 percent of fire-related deaths were the result of home fires


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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHANGES RED FLAG WARNING CRITERIA

 

April 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Effective immediately, the National Weather Service in San Diego is changing its criteria for issuing red flag warnings for fire danger. The change is expected to result in fewer alerts, also saving taxpayers money on overtime staffing for firefighting forces.


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CONTROLLED BURN APRIL 14 AT WARNER SPRINGS

 

April 13, 2010 (Warner Springs)--CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority will be conducting a burn project tomorrow, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.near the community of Warner Springs. Crews will be burning piles of brush which was removed from the Warner Springs Estates area. Smoke may be visible from Highway 79 and surrounding areas.


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FOREST SERVICE PLAN TO CLEAR VEGETATION IN PINE VALLEY & MT. LAGUNA DRAWS CRITICISM; WOULD DAMAGE 1,000 ACRES OF CHAPARRAL, GROUP SAYS

 

April 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a 5,000 acre “Mount Laguna and Pine Valley Community Defense and Healthy Restoration Project” to include prescribed burns, tree thinning and shredding of brush to “reduce the risk to life, property and resource values from an unusually severe wildland fire event, and to improve fire suppression abilities and fire fighters safeties” according to Marian Kadota with the U.S. Forest Service in Carpinteria.

But the California Chaparral Institute has sent a letter to the Forest Service seeking changes to prevent damage to chaparral.


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STATE CERTIFIES CHANGES IN COUNTY FIRE CODE, SIMPLIFIES PERMIT PROCESS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS

 

 

April 3, 2010 (San Diego) San Diego County’s Consolidated Fire Code has been certified by the State of California. According to a County press release issued yesterday, the change will make it simpler for builders and homeowners in San Diego County to comply with fire protection standards on homes and developments.


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FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS BUY NEW FIRE ENGINE FOR WARNER SPRINGS AREA

 

 

March 8, 2010 (Warner Springs)--Warner Springs and the San Diego County region are safer after the County used approximately $475,000 in federal stimulus money to buy a new Type 1 fire engine to improve backcountry protection.

 


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LAKESIDE CITIZENS PUT SDG&E OFFICIALS IN HOT SEAT OVER POWERLINK IMPACTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

 “How can you sit there and say it’s safe to be there when that canyon has burned every year—and you’re going to put those towers up, leave us with no power, and we only have one way in and one way out?” -- Myles Thurman, Lakeside

 

February 3, 2010 (Lakeside) – San Diego Gas & Electric officials received a far-from-warm welcome from Lakeside residents at a community forum last night hosted by the utility to discuss impacts of Sunrise Powerlink, the proposed high-voltage power line that SDG&E wants to run through Lakeside's El Monte Valley.

 

SDG&E plans to hold a follow-up meeting within 30 days.



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CONTROLLED BURN AT MIRAMAR FRIDAY NIGHT

 

January 29, 2010 (Miramar) – If you see smoke near I-15 this evening, don’t panic. Military emergency services crews at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar will be conducted a controlled burn as part of a night-time training operation. The burn, on the base airfield, is slated to start at 6 p.m. and continue for several hours.

 


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