East County Wildfire & Emergengy Alerts

June 16, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- A brush fire in the In-Ko-Pah area has burned 30 acres at the boundary of Jacumba and Ocotillo, near the San Diego and Imperial County lines this afternoon. The #Inkopah5Fire is 20 percent contained and forward spread has been halted, per Cal Fire. On westbound I-8 just east of In-Ko-Pah, one lane is closed due to the fire.

Ben Schultz, owner of the Desert View Tower roadside landmark and Boulder Park on In-Ko-Pah, both on the National Registry of Historic Places, says he was told to evacuate after the fire started close to his home and businesses on In-Ko-Pah Road, but stayed trying to roundup his dogs and cats.

“High winds still making the fire out here seem rather scary,” he posted. Schultz said an RV brought to In-Ko-Pah Towing caught fire, igniting dry brush between I-8 and In-Ko-Pah Road.

East County News Service

Photo: 2003 Cedar Fire, via CalFire

June 9,2024 (San Diego’s East County )-- As we head into the summer months, there is increased potential for hot temperatures and strong winds in San Diego County. It is crucial for us to be ready for potential wildfires. East County is especially prone to wildfires, so each of us has an individual responsibility to prepare ahead of time and be ready to evacuate.

Supervisor Joel Anderson and his staff have have compiled a comprehensive list of online resources to aid in our collective efforts to safeguard you, your families, and our community.

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

June 8, 2024 (Spring Valley) – A multi-agency response prevented a wind-driven brush fire in Spring Valley yesterday from destroying multiple homes threatened by the flames. The fire was originally dispatched as a residential structure fire near the 9800 block of Ivanho Street.  The first units on scene reported the blaze had extended to the vegetation on the back side of the residence.

As the fire grew, spreading across a grassy field, structures were threatened. The Incident Commander ordered additional engines and helicopter support. An evacuation order for zone SDC-2151 was broadcast as the fire came within a few feet of homes in the area.  Smoke was visible and could be smelled across Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley and parts of La Mesa.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

June 4,2024 (San Diego's East County) --The National Weather Service warns that hot conditions up to 113 degrees will be present for San Diego County's hgh deserts from 10 a.m. today until Friday at 9 p.m., with temperatures up to 103 degrees in lower desert regions.

Find a cool place to go and tips to beat the heat at www.coolzones.org and follow this advice from County Emergency Services:

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo and map via CalFire

June 3, 2024 (Otay) – The #Border53Fire is burning on both sides of the international border.  The fire has charred 400 acres, including 250 acres in the U.S. and150 in Mexico. The wildfire is 60% contained, with no structures threatened and no evacuations, per Cal Fire.

The blaze began June 1 in Buttewig Canyon on the south slope of Otay Mountain.

Update May 28, 2024 -- All evacuation orders have been lifted, though firefighters remain on scene.

Update 9:30 p.m. --The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has issued an Evacuation Order. An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life. All persons in the impacted area should prepare to evacuate. Evacuation Order means there is extreme danger in your area.  You must leave now; do not wait. Contact your neighbors and share information.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2024 (Otay Mesa) – The #CaminoFire at Gateway Energy Storage, a lithium battery storage facility  in Otay Mesa, flared up overnight and prompted county officials to issue an evacuation warning for businesses in the surrounding area due to the potential for release of toxic gasses.

The fire has also resulted in a shelter-in-place order for nearby Donovan State Prison. A road closure is in effect at Camino de la Fuente and Paseo de la Fuente.

According to Cal Fire’s incident update this morning, firefighters continue to battle the  thermal runaway fire involving lithium ion batteries.

The harmful gasses are “making access an issue for firefighters,” Cal Fire advises.”The building’s sprinkler system is currently being supplemented with the use of the existing standpipe system and the fire is still contained to the building of origin."

“AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers...Additionally, public commenters at CPUC public forums highlighted the unreliability of voice alternatives such as mobile wireless or VOIP.” –CPUC

May 10, 2024 (Sacramento) – After hearing from consumers across the state and reviewing evidence in the record, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued a proposal rejecting AT&T’s request to withdraw as a carrier of last resort (COLR), which would have ended land line service across San Diego County and other areas. The CPUC also indicated that it intends to initiate a new Rulemaking process to address COLR telecommunications service obligations.

The proposal will be on the CPUC’s June 20 Voting Meeting agenda.

AT&T's plan to pull the plug on land line phone service has drawn strong opposition from rural residents in East County and elsewhere in California, as ECM reported in February, as well as from consumer advocates who warn that ending land lines would leave many in rural or remote locations with no reliable phone service at all, since Internet VOIP phone service is not widely available in many places and some areas also lack cell phone connectivity. Even for those with cell service, land lines have proven life-saving options when cell towers have burned down during wildfires in places such as rural Potrero.

East County News Service

May 4, 2024 (San Diego) – A dozen people have become ill, including seven who were hospitalized, with E. coli infections linked to Gibson Farms organic walnut halves and pieces. The walnuts, which have been recalled, were sold in bulk bins at natural food stores and coops, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, though some of the walnuts may have been packaged in bags or clamshell packaging.

The walnuts were distributed in many states, but the illnesses to date occurred in California and Washington. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Today’s storm brought a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service in effect through 11:30 a.m.

A SIG ALERT is in effect on Sunrise Highway, where one-way traffic control is in effect amid falling snow, the CHP website indicates. On South Grade Road at Mount Palomar, four inches of snow are covering the road and a snow plow has been requested.

Flooding has prompted closure of several roads. In East County, Quarry Road is closed between State Route 125 to Lakeview Drive in Spring Valley, according to the County Dept. of Public Works.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Gayle Falkenthal provided a photo of the arrivals and departures display board at the San Diego International Airport showing nearly all Southwest Airlines flights cancelled or postponed.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via Mt. Laguna webcam

March 24, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm alert for San Diego County's mountains, in effect until 11 p.m.  Severe weaather conditions are expected with heavy snow and wind gusts up to 65 or 75 mies per hour. Downed trees and power lines are possible. Some snow has already fallen in Julian, Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna and other mountain communities.