SHOCKEY FIRE: REPORT FROM THE FIRE LINES

By Nadin Abbott

September 23, 2012 (Campo)-- On arrival at the Golden Acorn Casino, a plume of smoke rose in the distance.The wildfire, named Shockey Fire by CAL-Fire, was making swift progress east towards Jacumba. Some residents forced to evacuate were looking on, concern etched on their faces, as the thick billows rose into the sky.

The first order of business was to find out where shelters were to be set up, and where people could transport their pets and large animals. Darril Hanson of Animal Control, who preceded me to the scene by minutes, was waiting for his partner “in case we have to get dogs and other animals.” More resources were being moved here from the coastal regions.

Initially, Hanson gave me contact numbers for his dispatch center, in case people needed help evacuating their animals. These are 619-767-2675, and 619-236-2341.

Later on they made arrangements with the Red Cross to coordinate efforts at the shelter at Mountain Empire High School, 3305 Buckman Springs Road. The shelter is set to accept small animals, and has an area with kennels, food and water for dogs and cats.

For sanitary reasons the animals are in one area, and humans in another. You can still visit with your animal. The small animal shelter is run by the Humane Society, while the human side is being run by American Red Cross Disaster services personnel, both paid and volunteers.

While the canteen for the Red Cross dispatched from Clairemont Mesa at around 2 p.m., volunteers were already ready to welcome evacuees at the shelter, though it will take two hours to get food and water to the site, according to Stacy Maguffin, American Red Cross Disaster Specialist.

I was able to talk to personnel at the Command Post and learned that there were hard closures at Highway 94 and Shockey Truck Trail all the way to Tierra del Sol. There were in the process of early evacuations, using reverse 911, as well as both Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol Personnel making contact directly with residents.

According to Mike Mohler, CAL-Fire Public Information Officer, by the time I left the scene at 8 p.m. after dark, they had a burn of 1000 plus acres. They had lost four homes and several outbuildings, all between Tierra del Sol and Jewel Valley, which was not as yet at risk.

The problem they had was the resurgence of wind, which gusted to about 40 miles per hour. Authorities also were worried that temperatures would be high tomorrow, with low humidity. The terrain is very rugged, which makes the use of heavy equipment harder. Also they have medium fuels (mostly manzanita brush which burns rather hot), and heavy fuels near homes where trees have been planted.

While the area is under mandatory evacuation, some residents have refused to leave.

Residents also call the area “Boulevard Proper.” This is southeast of Jacumba.

During the night air operations have ceased, but will resume at 7:10 a.m. So far there are no reports of injuries to either residents or firefighters.

In between updates I made my way to the fire line. When I did this, earlier in the day, much of the equipment to fight this was still on its way, with some units already on the line and air attack aircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, doing water and retardant drops.

The landscape behind the hard CHP blocks had dark smoke covering the road over several sections with some flames visible, about 10-20 feet. The heat was palpable, even through the door of my truck.  Iook some photos and got out, always watching for wind direction.

On the way out I encountered units from San Diego, Miramar, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Santee, Viejas, and other county units. Moehler said that they had 300 personnel on the line, with more coming from all over the county and surrounding counties.

After that I was able to talk to some of the residents who were evacuated. Some did not want to talk and feared losing all. One complained to fire officials that nobody could give him a straight answer as to whether his home was still standing or not. He could not understand why firefighters cannot get the addresses of these now burned structures and have the list up at the Incident Command Center. Amid the smoke and confusion in this rural area, however, spotting addresses can be challenging.

Shay Cole, a resident of Tierra del Sol, told me that the Border Patrol came to her gate to tell her to evacuate. When we talked she knew of three houses that had burned. As it happened, I took photos of the general area where she, and where her neighbors at the parking lot of the Golden Acorn Casino live. So, I shared the photos right on the spot on the camera.

Thankfully I did not photograph any of their homes burning. What I did capture were the pine trees from a neighbor’s property on fire, as well as a shed of somebody else that was on fire.

Cole said that she was able to get her dogs, “Chuck Norris” and “Bully” out, as well as the rest of the family. They were going to stay at the Casino, or go into town. It depends on how things go with the fire.

They came prepared with food and water for the dogs, and the Casino provided them with coffee and water.

Talking to other neighbors, one older gentleman lost his wife not too long ago and was very relieved when he found out, through an SDG&E employee, that his home was not damaged. Yes, structures can be replaced, but memories and precious things from a long marriage cannot.

Other neighbors were at the parking lot, with their dogs, and their cats, who they called their “children.” They were willing to stay there, or go to family in town, until they found out what happened to their property.

For those affected by this fire, who have lost property, here is an excellent resource from our own “From the Chief’s Corner” columnist:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/10731