UPDATE AS OF 6:49 PM:  ALL EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

UPDATE AS OF 5:19 PM:  forward rate of spread stopped.  Fire at 10% containment.  Evacuation orders still in effect.

UPDATE AS OF 5:05 PM:  fire is 25 acres and 5% contained

UPDATE:  EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE STREETS OF TRAFALGAR RD., VISTA DE LA MONTAN AND CALLE DE NICOLE

East County News Service

July 17, 2019 (Dehesa) - Cal Fire is battling a vegetation fire off Vista De La Montana in the Dehesa area. The fire is eight acres with a moderate rate of spread. There is a report of structures threatened.

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By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2019 (Alpine) – Cobblestone Cottage Tea Shoppe in Alpine, California serves up a delightful high tea steeped in English tradition, as well as lighter options for afternoon tea or cream tea.  

East County News Service

Photos: Map of proposed project; wildlife photos by Debbie Ekhaml, including raccoons in adjacent Sweetwater National Wildlife Refuge and mule deer in Jamul ecological preserve are among wildlife species that could be negatively impacted

July 13, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – Significant concerns raised by the community over the proposal for a 10-year sand mining operation at Cottonwood Golf Course have been confirmed with the release of the County of San Diego’s Scoping Letter on the project.

UPDATE AS OF 7:22 PM:  Fire is now 100 acres on the U.S. side, 650 acres total with 10% containment. The combination of ground and air resources has allowed for significant progress, and containment is likely to increase overnight.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

July 12, 2019 (Dulzura) – A brush fire that has charred over 100 acres in Mexico has crossed the international border and near Cottonwood Creek and Barrett Truck Trail south of Dulzura.  The blaze has charred around 10 acres on the U.S. side of thee border in rural San Diego County, according to Cal Fire.

Patch.com reports 60 firefighters on scene including two air tankers, two helicopters, six engines, two dozers, two hand crews and a water tender.

By Miriam Raftery

July 11, 2019 (Campo) – The San Diego & Arizona Railway, known as the “Impossible Railway” for the many challenges faced during its construction, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two major centennial events on September 7 and November 16.

On Saturday, September 7, a Groundbreaking Festival will commemorate the 1907 groundbreaking of the railway, which took a dozen years to complete. 

Then on Saturday, November 16, a Centennial Celebration Day will include a reenactment of the 1919 golden spike ceremony, when John D. Spreckels drove in the final spike to complete the rail line in Carriso Gorge.

Both events will be held at the Campo Railroad Park & Museum operated by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, a nonprofit organization. 

At the events, the public is invited to come and enjoy train rides, view vintage railway cars and unique railroad equipment including a 1902 steam pump engine, an operating scale steam train exhibit, plus food, drinks, souvenirs, commemorative program and fun for the whole family.

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2019 (Alpine) – The San Diego County Library in Alpine is offering a fresh crop of free “modern homesteading” classes where you can learn how to raise and grow your own foods. The offerings include cheesemaking, beekeeping, vermicomposting, tilapia farming, backyard chickens, home farming and edible landscaping.

Below are full details:

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: West Fire in Alpine, 2018

July 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Across California, some insurance companies have stopped writing policies for homes in areas at high risk for wildfires, even dropping policies for some long-standing customers, Voice of San Diego reported in mid-June. 

Now, Supervisor Dianne Jacob has written a letter on June 27 to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urging him to take immediate action to “address the heavy-handed, blanket approach that insurance companies are currently utilizing to deny insurance though those who live in areas where wildfires may occur.” She also called on Lara to hold a public hearing in San Diego County on the issue, to allow residents to speak out and share concerns.

By Kathy Carpenter

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2019 (San Diego) – The deadline is June 30th for the public to submit comments on the County of San Diego’s draft Zoning Ordinance Update for Small Cell Wireless Facilities. You can read the draft ordinance and supporting documents here. Read concerns about the ordinance here.  

By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2019 (Potrero) – A camper from Washington state staying at a San Diego County campground in Potrero after returning from Mexico died yesterday after being run over by a runaway vehicle.

East County News Service

June 16, 2019 (El Cajon) – Yariela Freeman, a graduate from Steele Canyon High School in El Cajon (class of 2008), has been named marketing director at SDX, San Diego’s oldest and one of the largest San Diego networking and professional groups for advertising and marketing executives. She will be involved in overseeing the business operations, marketing strategy and implementation, event planning and coordination, member relations, membership growth and partnerships with other local trade organizations.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2019 (Campo) – After Border Patrol agents stopped two vehicles in Campo on June 2^nd that were traveling in tandem and suspected of smuggling undocumented immigrants, drug paraphernalia was observed during examination of the vehicles.  “Shortly after, one of the agents began coughing and complained of nausea,” says Justin Castrejon, public affairs officer for the Border Patrol in San Diego.  The agent reported an odor from inside one of the suspect vehicles.  The San Diego County Hazardous Incident Response Team responded, ECM news partner 10 News has learned.