Photos by Lisa Elkins-Goodman, Brett Stalbaum and Joseph Moulton

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

Update May 28, 2013 -- The General Fire is now 950 acres and 85% contained, Cal Fire confirms.  The cause of the fire has been traced to shooting. One injury has been reported from the fire.

May 26, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) Upodated May 27 9 a.m.– The brush that began  yesterday in Rodriguez Canyon south of Highway 78, across from the Banner Grade Store in the 3600 block of Highway 78, is now 850 acres and 20 percent contained.  IPN indicates the fire is spreading rapidly and has potential for 300 acres. Helicopter indicates no structures are threatened at this time, however there is a power outage.

Power restoration is expected at 3 p.m.  There is no estimate on containment. 

Multiple strike teams have been dispatched to battle the fire on U.S. Bureau of Land Management  property.

July 15, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - Rainfall aided firefighters in battling numerous fires in backcountry areas late today. Most were started by lightning strikes from thunderstorms.  The largest blaze in San Felipe along the Banner Grade near Julian had reached over 100 acres by early evening and is burning toward the desert.

Smaller fires were swiftly controlled in other communities including Warner Springs, Campo, and Lakeside.  Fast action by Lakeside resident Charley Barranco helped extinguish a brush fire in a  on the Levy water pump station at Lake Jennnings Park.