Update 10:15 a.m. - Forward spread of this fire has been stopped at 30 acres, CAl FIRE Captain Kendal Bortisser reports.  The fire burned to Friars and 163, per ECM reporter Nadin Abbott. This fire has been under unified command of CAL FIRE, Santee Fire and Miramar Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Mike Schoonover

May 17, 2014 (Santee) 9:15 a.m. – A brush fire is burning in  the Sycamore Canyon/Santee area in rugged terrain accessible by hand crews and brush trucks; aerial resources have been dispatched.  The fire is now two to three acres. Smoke is visible from State Route 125. 

If you are in this area and have eyewitness information please share in the comments section below.  You can also send photos to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Miriam Raftery

May 16, 2014 (Campo)—Jerry Weber lost everything in a fire that destroyed his trailer and all his belongings on May 13 in Campo. He has no fire insurance, relies on his Social Security income, and has both diabetes and a heart condition, according to Maria Amaya.

“He’s been my customer for many years,” said Amaya, who is accepting donated items for Weber at Angelous Barber Shop and Beauty Salon in Campo.  The greatest need, however, is a trailer for him to live in.

Weber is presently living in his car despite 100 degree temperatures, determined to remain on his property, Amaya said. He has no water on site, nor electrictiy.

In addition, a fundraiser to benefit Weber will be held on Monday, May 26 at the Bucking DeLorian restaurant in Lakeside. The restaurant will donate 15% of proceeds and is also encouraging the public to bring donations of food, clothing, household goods, toiletries and funds. For details on how you can help, click "read more" and scroll down.

Update 12 p.m.  The Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad is now 100% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)  9 a.m. --Escondido Police have arrested  Isaiah Silva, 19, and a juvenile for arson, U-T San Diego reports.  The arrests came after a citizen reporting seeing two people start a fire in a field near South Escondido Boulevard and another citizen reporting seeing arsonists start a blaze at Kit Carson Park.  However, Lt. Mike Kearney has stated that the two suspects are not believed to have started any of the major wildfires currently burning in San Diego County.

Cause of the other fires countywide remain undetermined.  There has been speculation in some media outlets of arson but officials have indicated the causes remain under investigation.  An arson strike force has been assembled to investigate the fires.

Over 121,000 evacuation notices have been sent by officials and hundreds stayed in shelters overnight as numerous fires burned across the region.

Below are updates on the major fires.

Update 10 p.m. : Officers in Escondido have detained a juvenile and an adult near the scene of a fire , 10 News reports. A shelter has been opened at Escondido High School as the Cocos Fire continues ravaging North County, only 5% contained after charring 1,200 acres thus far.

In addition, a fatality is now reported in Carlsbad from the Poinsettia Fire.

Evacuation orders have been lifted in Carlsbad, Pendleton and Fallbrook, the County Emergency site reports.

The Bernardo Fire is now 75% at 15,048 acres and the Highway Fire is 100% contained at 380 acres. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 15, 2014 (Escondido)—The fast-moving Cocos Fire that has burned over 1,200 acres and destroyed several homes south of State Route 78 remains only 5% contained during the second day of the conflagration. Evacuations have been ordered in Escondido, where U-T San Diego reports some homes have been lost.

Numerous  road closures are in effect as of 5 p.m., the County Emergency Services Department reports. View list of road closures, including a portion of the Del Dios Highway due to evacuations: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/updates/cocos-fire-road-closures-05-15-14-1659/  Flames scorched hillsides behind Cal State San Marcos today, where graduation has been cancelled.

Smoke checks in several East County communities today prompted brief concerns, but none grew into major fires.  The problem areas for firefighters remain blazes scorching across North County.  

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 news

By Miriam Raftery

May 15, 2014 (San Diego)--Fires have scorched over 9,200 acres since yesterday, with several still burning.  A large DC-10 air tanker, 17 helicopters and military aircraft are en route to our region, where hot, dry temperatures and Santa Ana winds have prompted extension of the red flag alert for high fire danger to be extended through tonight. 

Nearly 600 people stayed in evacuation centers overnight from the San Marcos and  Carlsbad fires.  More than 125,000 residences countywide received evacuation calls through the County’s Alert San Diego system. The County Emergency website has received over 1 million visits in the past three days.  Most area schools are closed today countywide due to the wildfires.

In North County, three major facilities are impacted.  Kaiser Permanente medical offices on Craven Road in San Marcos are closed;  Palomar Medical Center and Palomar Health Downtown campus on Valley Parkway have announced cancellation of elected surgeries, 10 News reports.

Below are updates on each major fire:

By Nadin Abbott

May 14, 2014 (Lakeside)--A brush fire Lakeside along I-8 business route and Aurora Drive sent up billows of dark smoke visible across much of East County late today.  The blaze, which started atop a small hill, charred 17 acres, according to Chief Andy Parr Of Lakeside Fire. Evacuation notices sent to 1,300 residences have now been lifted.

A road closure on Aurora Drive will remain in effect overnight.

East County News Service

May 14, 2014 (San Diego)--All California Interscholastic Scholarship Federation (CIF) athletic competitions scheduled for Thursday, May 15 are cancelled in San Diego County.  No contests are to be played in any sport.  

“The fires themselves, the fluidity of circumstances, air quality, traffic/travel, school closures and school access are all issues that have prompted this cancellation,” said Jerry Schniepp, commissioner, CIF San Diego section.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Dozens of school districts closed tomorrow due to the wildfires, air quality issues and road closures. These include Cajon Valley, Escondido, Grossmont Union High School District, Lakeside, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Poway, Ramona, Santee, and San Pasqual school districts in the inland region as well as San Diego Unified.  For additional closures http://www.sdcoe.net/news/Pages/2014-school-closure-update.aspx

California State University San Marcos remains closed after today’s evacuation and graduation ceremonies set for tomorrow will be rescheduled.

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

May 14, 2014 (San Diego) 12:15 p.m. – High winds continue to fan flames across our region including new fires forcing evacuations in Carlsbad and Camp Pendleton and smaller spot fires in East County.

SDG&E has advised that it intends to shut off power proactively to prevent its lines from sparking more fires, following a powerline fire yesterday in Dulzura.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob issued this statement in response to SDG&E’s announcement.  “I’m deeply concerned about any shutoffs because they pose risks to property and life in an emergency, especially in areas where firefighters need access to well water,” said Jacob, who represents East County. “I urge the utility to cut power only as a last resort and only if there's an actual system failure that could ignite a wildfire.”

FIRE IN CAMPO BURNS A STRUCTURE

By Nadin Abbott

May 13, 2014 (Campo)--Santa Ana winds fanned  a structure fire in Campo into a brush fire that fueled a full wildland fire response. Wind drove the fire to jump across State Route 94,  from the south side of the freeway to the north side.

Reports on whether the burned structure was a trailer or shed were conflicting, nor was information provided on whether the structure had been occupied. In this poverty-stricken area, it is not unusual for people to be living in shacks, sheds and trailers.

Randy Surla, an area resident, defied the mandatory evacuation order. “I am staying put,” he explained. “This is the only house I have and I am going to protect it as best as I can.”

Update: Powerlines are down, however resources are now being released. 

May 13, 2013 (Dulzura) – Cal-Fire and other units have responded to brush fires on Highway 94 in the Dulzura area.  Firefighters are on scene awaiting additional ground support.  High winds and proximity of power lines may limit access.

Some residents in the area are without power, SDG&E reports.  The outage affects Steele Canyon High School and Jamul School as well as the communities of La Presa/ Spring Valley/ Rancho San Diego/ Jamacha/ W Jamul/ Indian Springs/ Dulzura/ Potrero/ Campo/ Jamul/ N Jamul/ Lyons Valley/ Sunnyside/ Otay.

May 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)- - The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from Sunday through Tuesday night for San Diego County’s mountains and valleys. A red flag warning means high fire danger due to strong winds, low humidities and warm temperatures.

A high pressure system along the west coast will bring much warmer and drier conditions along with gusty Santa Ana winds this week, with strongest winds Monday and Tuesday.

By: Janis Russell

May 8, 2014 (El Cajon)- On May 6th, 49 firefighters from the Lakeside Firefighters Association teed off in a benefit golf tournament at Cottonwood Golf Club to help Stoney’s Kids.

CAL FIRE Encourages Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention

May 8, 2014 (Sacramento) – Drought conditions have led to a significant increase in wildfire activity and to ensure Californians are ready, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has declared May 4-10, 2014 as “Wildfire Awareness Week”. CAL FIRE is reminding residents during Wildfire Awareness Week of the dangers posed by wildfires and the simple steps that should be followed to prepare for and prevent them.