Update 9:05 p.m.  -- Evacuation warnings have been lifted, the County Office of Emergency Services reports.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

Video by Joe Dyke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSxmnewoRkI

July 12, 2022 (Dehesa) -- The #HarbisonFire burning in Dehesa has prompted evacuation warnings along Sycuan Oaks Drive, Vista De La Montana, and Trafalgar Road.  A warnings is to allow vulnerable people (such as those with disabilities or large animals) to leave in advance of an evacuation order.  A temporary evacuation point is at Sycuan Market, 4915 Dehesa Rd., El CAjon.

Harbison Canyon Road is closed between Dehesa Rd. and Crest Blvd.  

Forward spread of the fire has been stopped. Cal Fire reports 37 acres have burned.  

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  County Fire inspectors examine a home's exterior looking for fire vulnerabilities.

June 14, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to establish a Home Hardening Program as part of a state pilot program to encourage homeowners to create fire-resistant homes.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right, by Connie Kirkpatrick

June 13, 2022 (Barrett Junction) – The #BarrettFire burning near Dulzura has scorched 65 acres and is 25% contained. There are no evacuation orders or warnings.  While no structures are immediately threatened, roughly 16 structures are being “evaluated for future risk,” according to Cal Fire’s Twitter feed.

Source:  Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council

June 3, 2022 (El Cajon) - The Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council is sponsoring a free family-friendly education fair on June 12 to help residents prevent and prepare for devastating wildfires. The fair will be held from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, 2122 Cuyamaca College Dr West, El Cajon. Presentations will be given beginning at 2 p.m. by San Miguel Fire and Rescue, Cal Fire and the American Red Cross, with the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters. Displays will also be offered with home fire safety and safety information materials. San Miguel fire trucks and a brush clearing truck will also be on display.

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  entry to the new Fox Fire Center

May 24, 2022 (Palomar Mountain) -County Fire and CAL FIRE are working to turn a sixth-grade camp site at the base of Palomar Mountain into a fire center to train new firefighters. Today, a board letter from Supervisor Jim Desmond recommended the County finalize an agreement with CAL FIRE to use the Camp Fox site as a wildland firefighting base.  The Camp Fox property was owned by the County, but transferred to the San Diego County Office of Education in 1977.  It is now transferring back to the County.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  this is a sketch of the twin-engine Bell 412 EPX helicopter which the County will be purchasing for the Sheriff's Department fleet.

April 27, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to strengthen aerial fire protection in the region by approving the purchase of a new twin-engine firefighting helicopter and adding two additional firefighting helicopters to a firefighting response agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric.

By J.W. August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo by Robert Gehr

April 3, 2022 (San Diego) - For editors and reporters, access to the police scanner is a critical — and immediate — news source when covering breaking news, be it a massive fire raging through a community or rescue workers trying find a child swept away in a creek.

Source: San Diego County Office of Emergency Services

April 4, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services is asking County residents to provide feedback for two emergency plans.

The goal is to further protect residents, their property, and the environment. The survey feedback will be incorporated into the Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan and the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

East County News Service

Image: CC via Bing

Update April 2, 2022: A suspect, 31, has been arrested on suspicion of arson in this case, as well as throwing a rock at the trolley.

March 31, 2022 (La Mesa) – A brush fire scorched less than an acre yesterday afternoon before being doused by Heartland Fire & Rescue crews.

By Miriam Raftery and Mike Allen

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) – Citing wildfire evacuation concerns, San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal has ruled that the city of Santee and the City Council violated state law in approving Fanita Ranch, HomeFed’s long-planned 3,000 home development.  The project would be built on more than 2,600 acres of fire-prone hillsides in the city’s northwest section.

The ruling found that the city’s environmental review of the project was inadequate, violating California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by failing to adequately disclose how the development would affect wildfire evacuations and safety in the surrounding community.

The Judge also slammed the city for its last-minute removal of the Magnolia Avenue extension from the project just six days before approving the project’s EIR, even though that extension had been touted as a key wildfire evacuation route. This was inadequate for public review or evaluation of impacts on neighbors along other connector roads should an evacuation be needed. In addition, the judge found, “the City’s decision not to recirculate the EIR violated CEQA.”

Don’t think you need an emergency kit? Think again, say families who needed one.

By Juan Castro

February 23, 2022 (San Diego) -- Flashlights, a first aid kit and water bottles cover the dining room table. The Sánchez family is not going camping — they are preparing for disaster by putting together a “go bag.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 2020 Valley Fire in Alpine by Ryan Grothe

February 11, 2022 (Alpine) – The deadline for public comments has been extended to March 5 for the Alpine Community Plan Update and a proposed General Plan Amendment that would allow increased density on formerly protected lands in close proximity to Cleveland National Forest lands. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) has been prepared to analyze and disclose the environmental impacts of the project.

January 31, 2022 -- A septic truck has overturned on Highway 78 at Yaqui Wells.

The injury accident has shut down the highway in both directions this morning.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Jacqueline Heil

January 24, 2022 (Lakeside) -- The #CanyonFire that began with a vehicle fire at Wildcat Canyon and Muth Valley roads in Lakeside has forced closure of Wildcat Canyon Road in both directions from Willow to Barona. As of 3:30 p.m., Cal Fire spokesman Frank LaCoco told ECM he anticipates closure for at least two more hours due to equipment on both sides of the road, with firefighters remaining on scene into the evening.