Mt. Laguna

COUNTY FIRE REACHES NEW HEIGHTS WITH MT. LAGUNA FIRE STATION

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  fire crews and residents gather to celebrate the opening of Mt. Laguna Fire Station 49

May 6, 2022 (Mt. Laguna) - County Fire, CAL FIRE and the community of Mt. Laguna on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the County’s highest elevation fire station, sitting at about 6,000 feet.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WINTER WONDERLAND ON MOUNT LAGUNA

East County News Service

February 23, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – UCSD’s HP Wren webcam captured this serene image of snow-covered pine trees and land atop Mount Laguna during a break in today’s winter storm.


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HISTORY COMES ALIVE ON MOUNT LAGUNA MAY 25-26

 

 

East County News Service

May 10, 2019 (Mount Laguna) -- The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association invites you to the 32nd annual Living History program this  Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May  25 and 26.  Learn about the history of Mount Laguna residents and take free tours offered at 9:30, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. both days.

Meet at the Red-Tailed Roost, 10385 Sunrise Highway near mile marker 22.5, across from the Laguna Fire Station atop  Mount Laguna, the highest peak in San Diego’s East County.


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SNOW BLANKETS EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS

By East County Magazine

Photos: Laguna Mountain Lodge Faceboko page

February 6, 2019 (Laguna Mountain) – Five days of storms have blanketed local mountains including Mount Laguna with up to a foot of snow, the National Weather Service reports. Julian, Pine Valley and Descanso all received snow.  The storm also doused much of the county with heavy rains, including up to six inches in some locations.

If you’re considering a trip to frolic in the snow, check current road and weather conditions since tire chains may be required, and use caution on icy roads. Also check these resources:


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UPGRADED PARAMEDIC SERVICES EXTENDED TO MORE RURAL AND MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear.

September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- A person suffering cardiac arrest or going into anaphylactic shock will receive immediate treatment from responding firefighter paramedics who were recently added to existing fire engine service in five communities.


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A GALAXY GLITTERS ABOVE MOUNT LAGUNA

 

By Mary Elizabeth Sasso

July 25, 2017 (Mount Laguna) -- Late Friday night, a group of photographers organized by Randy Miller of El Cajon traveled 45 miles east of San Diego to the Cleveland National Forest in search of the Milky Way galaxy. After a short hike up a paved road, we arrived at the Mount Laguna Observatory which is approximately 6100 feet above sea level.


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ROAD HAZARDS ACROSS REGION, SNOW IN MOUNTAINS, FROST WARNING TONIGHT IN URBAN AREAS

 

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--Heavy snow is blanketing Mt. Laguna, with several inches reported in Boulevard.  Snow could dip to 3,000 feet tonight, with frost possible even in urban and suburban areas such as El Cajon and La Mesa tonight and tomorrow, according to forecaster Alex Tardy with the National Weather Service.

The storm, combined with accidents, has resulted in numerous accidents and other road hazards across our region.


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LORE OF THE LAGUNAS: LIVING HISTORY PAGEANT SEPT. 3-4

 

East County News Service

August 28, 2016 (Mt Laguna) -- Lore of the Laguna’s (Living History Pageant) returns as the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association presents its 29th Annual LIVING HISTORY after a two-year hiatus. The past comes alive in this re-enactment of life in the Laguna Mountains, starting in the early 1900s and going back in time. Visit with Native Americans, rugged cowboys and turn-of-the-(last) century mountain men. Meet the first Laguna Forest Ranger, and relive the summer encampment of a 1908 pioneer family from Imperial Valley. How did they survive back then without any modern devices or conveniences and most of all, cell phones or social media? It was a slower pace, but lives were just as eventful and full of adventure as they are now.


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STORM FREEZES, BREAKS TRANSMITTER FOR KNSJ: DONATIONS NEEDED FOR REPAIR

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2016 (Descanso) -- KNSJ Radio (89.1 FM Descanso) is off the air affter the station's transmitter on Mount Laguna froze and broke during  last week's winter storm.  The repair estimate is $1,500, said Martin Eder, founder of KNSJ, a public nonprofit radio station that serves East County and San Diego.

Donations are urgently needed to cover this unexpected major repair cost and may be made via PayPal, credit card or check at http://knsj.org/donate/.  

The East County Magazine  Show airs on KNSJ on Mondays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.  During the outage, which began last week, our radio show and others on the station can still be heard online by downloading the TuneIn App for your cell phone or by listening to the streaming audio online at http://knsj.org/knsjpopup.html.


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18 INCHES OF SNOW ON MT. LAGUNA

 

East County News SErvice

January 9, 2016 (Mt. Laguna) - The totals from this week's storm are now complete--and Mt. Laguna received a full foot and a half of snow. 

If you're looking for a snow play day, today's a good option. However a new storm is due in this evening and early in the morning, though it will be lighter, dropping less than an inch of precipitation in most areas.

Click here to view snow and rainfall totals for areas across our region from the National Weather Service:  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=sgx&sid=SGX&pil=RRM.  To view more images from local HP Wren web cameras run by the University of California San Diego, such as the image at left, visit http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/.


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OVER A FOOT OF SNOW ON MT.LAGUNA, RAINS DRENCH REGION

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Above, Jim Pelley sent us photo of snow-covered Laguna Mountains, viewed from desert in Ocotillo

Below, Fox 5 TV tweeted image of news van on Mt. Laguna for a "San Diego snow day"

January 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After four years of drought, when it rains, it pours!  During the past 72 hours, the National Weather Service reports heavy snowfall in our local mountains including 12 to 15 inches on Mt. Laguna.  In addition, many communities soaked up  several inches of rain, topped by Mt. Woodson with nearly seven and a half inches.

Here are highlights on the snow and rainfall totals over the past three days.


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HURRICANE KATHLEEN ANNIVERSARY: A LOOK BACK AT THE WORST STORM EVER TO HIT OUR REGION

 

By Miriam Raftery – Photo by Jim Larson, Caltrans

September 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Exactly 39 years ago this week, Hurricane Kathleen struck our region – the most powerful tropical cylone ever to hit San Diego and Imperial Counties. With another powerful storm, Hurricane Linda, set to sock our region starting Wednesday, it’s worth remembering just how much devastation was wrought the last such storm set to hit the identical area, on the very same day of the year.


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BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED FOR MT. LAGUNA RECREATION AREA

 

East County News Service

May 16, 2015 (Mt. Laguna)--The County’s Department of Environmental Health has issued a Boil Water Order for the Mount Laguna Recreation Area’s water system on Sunrise Highway on Friday. The agency indicated that  the drinking water system tested positive for E.Coli and total coliform bacteria, which means water may be contaminated with human or animal waste.


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SDSU ASTRONOMER, DIRECTOR OF MT. LAGUNA OBSERVATORY WINS $33,000 PRIZE FOR DISCOVERY

 

Photo: SDSU News Center

November 22, 2014 (Mt. Laguna)—At first, astronomer Robert Quimby almost deleted an e-mail which began,  “Congratulations, you have won $33,000.”  Then the director of San Diego State University’s Mount Laguna Observatory read further and learned that the money is real—his share of a $3 million prize for his research that helped prove expansion of the universe is accelerating.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: ANOTHER SECRET STREAM

 

August 7, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – Tom Lemon sent in these photos of a “secret stream”, along with this description:


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READERS VOICE RAGE OVER CONTROLLED BURN IN CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Readers across East County have sent photos and video of a large controlled burn yesterday in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, voicing outrage over the burning of habitat including mature trees, given than 99% of the pine trees in the park burned during the 2003 Cedar Fire.

Questions have also been raised over why the burn was allowed in windy conditions, why a helicopters was dispatched to use water from Lake Cuyamaca on a controlled burn, and why more notice was not provided to the public and the press that a major controlled burn was underway by State Parks in conjunction with Cal Fire.


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BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED FOR MT. LAGUNA EL PRADO CAMPGROUND

 

 

August 27, 2013 (Mt. Laguna) – The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Mount Laguna El Prado Campground water system located on Sunrise Highway, Mt. Laguna, CA 91948 effective immediately. The water system serves a campground and public restroom.

The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli. Total coliform bacteria can come from soils and other sources in the environment and can indicate a problem with the water supply system. The Boil Water Order was issued to ensure all water used is free from contamination. The Boil Water Order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply.


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FOREST SERVICE BEGINS PRESCRIBED BURNS IN EAST COUNTY

January 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest will conduct prescribed burning from January 15, 2013 through June 30, 2013 when weather and fuel moisture conditions permit.  This vegetation removal is for the purpose of hazardous fuels reduction, community defense zone maintenance and forest health.  The prescribed burning will take place at various locations on the District including Palomar Mountain, Ramona, San Diego Country Estates, Sunshine Summit and Aguanga.  The projects will cover approximately 700 acres.  Some drifting smoke may be visible during the period of burning.

Residents and other public may call Battalion Chief Tim Gray at 619-902-1414 for more information.


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S WET AND WILD WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS 2011

 
January 1, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The National Weather Service has provided the following reflections on local weather highlights for the past year--which included some wet and wild times.


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LIGHTNING IGNITES SEVERAL FIRES IN EAST COUNTY; WARNER SPRINGS FIRE NOW 150 ACRES

 

Update October 1:  The Chihuahua Fire in Warner Springs was 50% contained as of 9 a.m. October 1. Cal-Fire has estimated the total acreage downward to 40 acres (from 100 acres estimated yesterday).  The Border Fire is 100% contained.

 


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VIDEO ADVENTURES IN EAST COUNTY: WINTER WONDERLAND ON LAGUNA MOUNTAIN


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LET IT SNOW! PHOTOS OF THE WEEK JAN.4, 2010

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Billy Ortiz

 

January 4, 2011 (Mt. Laguna) - Yesterday's storm brought snow to Mount Laguna in San Diego's East County--along with a flurry of snow-goers eager to enjoy the seasonal treat. 

 


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PRESCRIBED BURNS IN CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

 

November 24, 2010 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest is conducting 300-500 acres of prescribed burning in the south eastern part of San Diego County. The projects are located near the communities of Alpine, Pine Valley, and Mt Laguna. Prescribed burning will be conducted from November of this year, through June of 2011 as weather and fuel conditions permit.


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BURNED BODY FOUND BY HIKERS ON MT. LAGUNA

 

May 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A group of hikers found a severely burned human body yesterday at 11:15 a.m. while hiking approximately two miles west of Sunrise Highway (State Route 1) west of mile marker 18. The San Diego Sheriff's homicide unit is investigating and the identity of the victim is unknown.


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GOING TO THE SNOW? HAVE FUN—BUT FIRST, READ THESE SAFETY TIPS FOR WEEKEND SNOW PLAY ON LAGUNA & PALOMAR MOUNTAINS


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SNOW IN MOUNTAINS: CHAINS REQUIRED

 

December 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Snow plows are working to clear roads in East County’s mountain areas. Chains are required on Sunrise Highway to Mount Laguna.


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THUNDERSTORMS FORECAST TONIGHT COUNTYWIDE, FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS SOUTHEAST OF MT. LAGUNA

 

July 20, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning for most of San Diego County including inland valleys, mountains, deserts and coastal areas. Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino Counties are also affected.

 


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