East County Wildfires and Emergency Alerts

Update July 18, 2022:  This group of fires was halted at 100 acres.

Update 12:32 p.m.:  Incident commander indicates the fire is now 40 acres. At least 10 aircraft have been assigned including helitankers, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. 

July 17, 2022 (Otay) – Multiple small brush fires totaling approximately 10 acres are burning southeast of Otay Reservoir, about 1.5 miles south of Otay Lakes Road.

The fires, collectively called #Border27Fire,  are within the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

East County News Service

Photos by Shiloh Ireland Photography

July 17, 2022 (Lakeside) – For the past several years, Lakeside residents have held an impromptu Fourth of July parade.  This year’s event honored the memory of the late Betty McMillen, founder of the Maine Avenue Revitalization Association and long-time leader of the Lakeside Historical Society.

Participants meet at the Lakeside Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building in decorated vehicles, then drive through the town to show their patriotic spirit each Independence Day, followed by lunch with hamburgers and hotdogs at the VFW. This July 4, Shiloh Ireland Photography sent in these photos of the occasion.

Source: Julian Chamber of Commerce

July 17, 2022 (Julian) -- On Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Julian Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting the 7th annual Sip of Julian. The Sip features many of Julian’s alcoholic beverage purveyors.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Photos by Rebeccca Jefferis Williamson) 

July 16, 2022 (Santee) Santee Salutes, the city’s celebration for the 4^th of July, included food vendors, music, fireworks and more. The event, which fell on a Monday, was well attended. But for those that planned ahead---parking was not a problem.

Parking spots for lots surrounding Town Center Community Park could be purchased online at the City of Santee’s website for $10 per spot. ADA and non-ADA parking was offered. Check the event’s website in advance next year for the July 4^th festivities, or for any other events they offer paid parking, to lesson the scramble for a spot. 

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs. Photo by Chris Stone

July 16, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sara Jacobs of San Diego joined with three other Congresswomen Friday in advancing a bill to protect women’s rights to use contraceptives in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2022 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and his 7-piece band will perform a concert at the Magnolia performing arts center on Saturday, August 6 to benefit the East County Transitional Living Center. The Center provides shelter and services to help homeless families and individuals transition off the streets.

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC via Bing

July 15, 2022 (El Cajon) — It is no secret that 9-1-1 medical calls are sometimes not placed for life-threatening emergencies — yet for lack of any other system, those moments are often forced to be treated with urgent responses, such as ambulance rides to emergency rooms. 

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  one of the winning entries of the County’s 2021 Our Health is Worth a Shot! Youth Challenge

July 15, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego is calling on young local artists to share their video and visual art submissions for the 2022 Our Health Deserves a Boost(er)! Youth Challenge.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by:  Adriana Martinez 

July 15, 2022 (Alpine) – A Lakeside woman, 35, died at the scene of a collision this morning on Interstate 8-west in Alpine. Two children, ages 3 and 9, in her vehicle sustained moderate injuries, says Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol.

By Jessica Des Lauriers, CAWA, San Diego Humane Society SVP & Chief Operating Officer

July 14, 2022 (San Diego) - The days are long, the weather is warm and who better to share your summer with than a new furry friend? San Diego Humane Society currently has more than 600 adoptable animals — just waiting to give and receive love — and San Diego Humane Society is calling on the community to help us make space in their shelters.

Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Photo credit: Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

July 14, 2022 (San Pasqual)  — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has welcomed three new residents: 8-year-old female African lions Malika, Zuri and Amira from the Caldwell Zoo in Texas. The three lions, who are sisters, curiously explored their new home at Lion Camp earlier today—shyly at first, but soon showing great confidence as they became comfortable with their new surroundings.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

July 14, 2022 (El Cajon) - The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and campus security officials have determined that Grossmont Campus is safe, following a bomb threat phoned into the Sheriff’s Department at about 11:30 a.m. today.