September 8, 2011 (In-ko-pah) – I-8 westbound has been ordered to shut down due to a five-acre brush fire burning in light, flashy fuels half a mile from In-ko-pah along I-8.  In-ko-pah is located east of Jacumba near the San Diego County-Imperial County line.

September 8, 2011 (Rancho Bernardo) – A brush fire that started at West Bernardo Drive on the west side of I-15 scorched approximately three acres this afternoon, briefly slowing traffic. The fire is now out; cause is under investigation.

September 1, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--Effective today, fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest have been moved to the “Elevated” level. The increase in fire restrictions is due to dryer fuel conditions, higher temperatures, and the likelihood of small fires becoming larger fires.

Update 5 p.m. - All fires are out and traffic is flowing as firefighters douse remaining hot spots.

Update 9 p.m. - The forward spread of the fire was stopped at 75 acres (downgraded from earlier estimates on acreage). A total of ten engines, 4 fire crews, 2 airtankers, 3 helicopters, 1 bulldozer, 2 water tenders, 3 Chief Officers and 100 firefighters have worked to battle the blaze, Cal-Fire reports.

August 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A brush fire that started south of Highway 94 along the Bell Valley Truck Trail near Potrero this morning charred approximately 20 acres, Cal Fire reports.

A quick response that included 7 engines, 5 fire crews, 3 helicopters, 4 air tankers and 125 firefighters swiftly contained the blaze.

 Update 12:36 p.m.:  Spread of the Bullpen Fire has been stopped at four acres.  The Incident Commander has released the airtankers, 1 helicopter, and the bulldozer.  Firefighters will remain on scene mopping up hot spots.  One minor injury to a firefighter, a bee sting, was reported.

August 20, 2011 (Lakeside)CAL FIRE is on scene of a two-acre brush fire near 1154 Bullpen Street, near the community of Barona (TB Map 1193 A4). Currently there are 5 engines, 2 fire crews, 2 helicopters, 2 airtankers, 1 bulldozer, 1 chief officer (75 firefighters).

The fire was reported at 11:49 and the cause is under investigation.

August 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers these helpful tips. 

Heartland Fire & Rescue, serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove Fire Departments, now has a new website: www.heartlandfire.org. The website incorporates information on emergency preparedness, fire prevention, photos, and current fire department news.

August 4, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---Two fires are burning in Mexico, with smoke visible across portions of East County.  According to Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler, the blaze is approximately seven miles south of the border but poses no threat to the U.S. at this time.  One is south of Potrero/Tecate, the other south of the Otay area.

Update: View a video of the goat-run.

July 29, 2011 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, will be taking steps to clear brush from eight and one-half acres of land near Lawton Drive and Camino De Las Palmas. Goats will be used as part of the process in clearing heavy brush and creating defensible space for homes in this area.

ELM will begin work Saturday morning, creating a staging area and paddock at the end of Lawton Drive. The public is welcome to come by between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. There will be a small nursery of baby goats for children to see, and ELM Operations Manager Johnny Gonzales will prepare his goats for the traditional “running of the goats” starting at 9:00 a.m.

Supervisors to vote on legal challenge of $150 assessment on rural properties

By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--As County supervisors mull a possible lawsuit over a state plan to bill rural property owners $150 per dwelling, CalFire officials say the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will take public input through Aug. 22 on how and which rural residents will be charged the new fee.

July 25, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Cal Fire is asking for your help in identifying suspected arsonists.

If you see a fire start, report it and remember everything you saw, Cal Fire advises. Make note of any suspicious vehicles or persons. The information you have, no matter how minor, could be the key to stopping the arsonist.