Update: This fire was stopped at two acres; cause remains under investigation per Cal-Fire, the Deerhorn Valley Antler reports.

Photos and Video by Billy Ortiz

July 12, 2012 (Lakeside) – A brush fire briefly threatened homes at I-8 and Los Coches Road near in Lakeside early this afternoon.  Thanks to a full wildland fire response, the blaze was extinguished in about 20 minutes. 

"As I traveled up Los Coches Road, I spotted flames and smoke near a housing track. I called 911 and they dispatched fire crews.  Within 5 minutes  fire engine crews were on the scene," said ECM photographer Billy Ortiz, who shot this dramatic video as firefighters battled the blaze and concerned residents looked on.

July 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning for San Diego’s inland areas that includes multiple perils.  An excessive heat warning continues, with temperatures up to 118 degrees forecast for desert areas.

In addition, thunderstorms are possibly Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, producing lightning, gusty winds, hail and light to moderate rainfall.  A flash flood watch has also been issued, as well as a fire weather watch.

By Catherine Gorka, Lakeside

July 10, 2012 (Lakeside)--Many residents of the East County /back county have received a letter from the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Grants Program telling us about the  grant program. 

Update 7:50 p.m. - A resident at the scene reports the fire is now under control and nearly extinguished.

Update 5:39 p.m. - Incident Page Network reports the fire is now 15 acres, spreading fast and moving toward structures.

July 9, 2012 (Lake Morena) – A three acre fire is burning off Bass Road in Lake Morena, Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler has informed ECM.   “It sounds like crews can hold it,” said Mohler, who called while on the road.

Two additional air tankers and one additional helicopter have been ordered to assist in dousing the blaze, he said.  “There are structures in the area but as of now, they are not threatened.”

July 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Effective immediately, Cal Fire has issued a no-burn proclamation for all state responsibility lands in San Diego and Imperial Counties.  All open burning is banned and campfires are restricted to designated campfire facilities in established public campgrounds.

Update 10:30 p.m.  The fire is now 20 acres and additional resources have been ordered to the scene.

July 7, 2012 (Otay) – Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire reported at 8:20 p.m. just east of Otay Mesa in Tin Can Canyon, a remote area. The fire is currently 3-5 acres; no structures are in the vicinity. 

Cause is under investigation, said Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.

By Nadin Abbott and Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Multiple fires in Mexico are threatening homes and a penitentiary tonight, ECM has learned.  Late this afternoon, Cal Fire informed ECM that the agency is monitoring the fire in Mexico, which at that time was eight miles from the border.

Alfredo Escobedo, state director of Civil Defense, told ECM that the fires are burning on three fronts. The first is in Loma Toba, near the state jail, about 20 km (12 miles) east of Tecate, a border town. The blaze, which has consumed 100 hectares, has burned to within 10 yards of the jail wall.

June 27, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)  – Two teenagers have been arrested for suspicion of iintentionally setting a vegetation fire yesterday.  The blaze briefly threatened  several units at the Woodbridge Apartments, as well as six vehicles parked along the canyon rim. The wildland fire was reported at 5:30 p.m. yesterday  in the 10800 block of Calle Verde.

Update 11 a.m. -- The fire is now 80% contained. Base officials say live fire operations started the blaze, which has charred 250 acres.

June 27, 2012 (Oceanside) – A brush fire that started yesterday has scorched over 200 acres.  According to the North County Times, the blaze started north of the base and was 15% contained late yesterday. No structures were threatened.

“The fire is still active. As of 5:30 a.m. the Camp Pendleton Fire Dept. did not have a percentage of containment," ECM’s in-house Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna , author of the From the Chief’s Corner  column, advised.  "Today will be warm and the possibility of “flare-ups” may occur and/or intentional “burning out” targeted areas which ‘may’ or may not cause smoke drift."