CALFIRE

FIRE SPARKS PUBLIC CONCERNS IN JULIAN OVER SHORT-TERM RENTALS

 

“We could’ve been burned out last night. Nobody would have known, and it was windy.” -- Lora Devault,  Pine Hills resident

”I think we are going down a slippery slope...and I have a problem telling people what they can do with their properties.” --Katy Morelli, planning group member

By Jessyka Heredia

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

November 17, 2023 (Julian)—Campers at a short-term rental (STR) property in Julian’s Pine Hills neighborhood started an unauthorized campfire on Sunday and failed to properly extinguish it. The embers sparked a brush fire, causing damage to the owner’s property and panic for nearby neighbors.

On Monday, residents spoke out at the Julian Community Planning Group (JCPG) meeting to voice concerns about the growing number of short-term vacation rentals in Julian and disruptions some guests have caused in the community.  The most heated concern focused on off-site owners, such as the vacation site in question, which has rentals both inside a home and outside at tent camping sites. Some vacation rental owners also spoke up in defense of property rights for responsible STR owners.


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HAPPINESS IS SAVING A DOG

East County News Service

 

October 17, 2023 (Lyons Valley) – “Happiness is saving a dog,” Cal Fire/San Diego Fire posted on Facebook today,  along with photos of a dramatic rescue.


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2 New Fires in Mexico, South of Dulzura, in/near Cottonwood Creek

 
 
By Jonathan Goetz; photos by Henri Migala
 
May 2, 2021 (Dulzura) -- Two new small fires are burning in/near Cottonwood Creek in Mexico, south of Dulzura.
 
Calfire, Border Patrol, and ECM reporter Henri Migala are at the scene on the U.S. side of border monitoring the situation.
 
There are no immediate threat to structures as of 4:30 p.m.
 
Gusty winds are blowing East by Northeast 70 degrees, with the fires heading slowly towards Tecate Peak.
 
 
Update: ECM reporter Henri Migala sent additiional information later via e-mail:

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CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY RESTRICTS ACCESS TO FIRE STATIONS, HALTS ISSUING NEW BURN PERMITS

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2020 (El Cajon) – To help contain spread of the COVID-19 virus and assure uninterrupted emergency response services, effective immediately, nonemergency access by the public is halted at all Cal Fire/County Fire Authority fire stations in the unincorporated region of San Diego County.


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CAL FIRE AIMS TO BUY C-130 AIR ATTACK TANKER TO FIGHT FIRES LOCALLY

 

East County News Service

 

Update September 18, 2019:   Cal Fire has issued corrections on inacccurate information provided in a County press release and video. This plane and others are set to be given to Cal Fire by the federal government, not sold.  The planes are not yet equipped with fire retardant and are not slated to arrive in Califiornia likely for a couple of years, according to Cal Fire Captain and Public Information Officer Issac Sanchez. See our full update:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/cal-fire-issues-corrections-c-130-pla....

 

August 30, 2019 (Ramona) -- A C-130 air tanker on loan in Ramona has been used to train additional pilots this past week. Ultimately, Cal Fire’s goal is to purchase a C-130 to permanently base in our region, says Cal Fire spokesman Isaac Sanchez.


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FIRE OFFICIAL CALLS SEASONAL OUTLOOK ‘SCARY,’ URGES PREPAREDNESS

 

 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

PhotoCAL FIRE Forester Eric Just demonstrates how he clips and dries vegetation to check for fuel moisture content.

 October 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - San Diego County area fire chiefs are preparing for a potentially dangerous peak fire season due to historically dry fuel conditions. Residents are reminded to take all precautions and be ready to evacuate if needed.


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CONTROLLED BURN TODAY NEAR PINE VALLEY

 

East County News Service

April 19, 2016 (Pine Valley) -- CALFIRE, in cooperation with Corte Madera Ranch, will be conducting a prescribed burn approximately 5 miles south of Pine Valley today.


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CAL FIRE INCREASES STAFFING IN ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED FIRE RISK

 

October 31, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Cal Fire is preparing for several days of extreme fire weather across many parts of the state, since the National Weather Service has issued five separate “Red Flag Warnings” and “Fire Weather Watches” due to gusty winds and low humidity.  Cal Fire has placed additional firefighters on duty to staff extra equipment in the areas affected.  ECM has left a message for Cal Fire's media relations department inquiring whether recently closed stations in East County will receive extra staffing and whether any rural fire stations will be closed during these high fire danger days. 


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EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYS TATTOO BUSINESS ON BROADWAY

 

July 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – At 12:43 a.m. on July 25, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in the City of El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire in the 1-thousand block of Broadway in El Cajon.  Upon arrival firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the Classic Tattoo business located at 1024 Broadway.  Quick action by fire crews had the fire knocked down in less than 25 minutes.  Two adjoining businesses of the one story structure sustained smoke and water damage.  Heartland crews were assisted by fire units from Cal Fire and Santee fire departments.


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SHOCKEY FIRE RESIDENTS RETURN

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott

September 26, 2012 (Boulevard)—Around  five in the afternoon, as the sun was starting to set, the first residents of Boulevard’s Tierra del Sol neighborhood began  to come home. There was anxiety in some faces, as well as relief on others, as they learned what state their properties were in –and whether their homes had survived the devastating 2,850 acre Shockey Fire that destroyed 11 homes and claimed the life of an elderly man.


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DEHESA WILDFIRE

 

July 22, 2012 --  According to CalFire, the forward spread of the Dehesa brush fire at 4700 Dehesa Boulevard has been stopped. The fire is holding at 15 acres. Smoke may still be seen from Crest, and surrounding areas.


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CAL-FIRE OFFERS CAMPFIRE SAFETY TIPS

 

July 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Wildfires are on the increase. Yet most wildfires can be prevented.

 

If you go camping, Cal-Fire asks that you follow these safety steps:


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EAST OF THE LINE: FIRE FEE SLAPPED ON POLITICALLY IMPOTENT MINORITY IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR ALL

 By Billie Jo Jannen

July 13, 2011 (Campo)--I can vividly describe every one of the four fires that has burned through my property over the past 25 years. Notably, every one was started by someone who doesn’t live here. Causes include burning objects thrown from passing cars and trains, illegal fireworks by drunk Navy men, and border smugglers intent on their own agendas.

 

Also notable is that my family’s home survived every fire because of our personal efforts -- both costly and time-consuming -- to plan and execute our own defenses. Not a single fire department, including CalFire, has ever managed to arrive at my house before the fires did; the distances are simply too great and the fires too unpredictable.


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LIVE ACTION DRAMA AT EX-BLOCKBUSTER SITE: FIREFIGHTERS HOLD DRILL

 May2, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- On Sunday May 1, 2011, a training event gave East County agencies an opportunity to work together to improve mutual-aid responses. In addition the Multi Agency Drill provides fire agencies such as CALFIRE, Sycuan and San Diego Rural a rare opportunity to participate in a commercial structure drill. The San Miguel Fire District hosted the Multi Company/Multi-Agency Drill. The training took place at the former Blockbuster Video on Campo Road and Conrad Drive, Casa De Oro.

 

All personnel from Heartland Fire & Rescue Department, serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, participated in vehicle extrication training. The special training was made possible by C&D Towing, which provided 20 vehicles for emergency personnel to practice vehicle extrication & rescue techniques. 

 


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