Source: CAL FIRE

October 20, 2017 (San Diego) -- As Firefighters in Northern California continue to make progress on 9 large wildfires burning across the State, the true magnitude of the devastation of loss of life and property is beginning to come to life.  This recent series of fires is the deadliest in California State History. Since the start of the October Fire Siege on October 8, there have been 21 major wildfires that burned over 245,000 acres, forced 100,000 people to evacuate, destroyed 6,900 structures and sadly took the lives of 42 people.    

Updated 12:43 p.m.

East County News Service

October 16, 2017 (Ranchita) – Cal Fire has announced that no criminal charges will be filed against shooters who started the Wilson Fire which has scorched 25 acres in the Ranchita area between Warner Springs and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

By Miriam Raftery

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

October 15, 2017 (Cuyamaca) -- The Green Fire is 75 percent contained at eight acres as of 10:30 a.m., Cal Fire reports.  The grass fire began yesterday afternoon near the Green Valley Falls campground area in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, not far from State Route 79.

A witness, who asked that his name not be published, told East County Magazine that he and his wife were hiking on the Harvey Moore Trail moments before the fire started and saw several people in the meadow.  Arriving at the parking lot and learning of the fire, the witness says the saw the people -- a couple and a third inidividual, get into an SUV and drive away.

Update October 16, 2017:    The death toll is now at least 41, following death of a water truck driver. 

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo, left: Courtesy of Cal Fire

October 12, 2017 (San Diego)—The complex of nearly two dozen firestorms raging across northern California have now collectively surpassed in deadliness the 2003 Cedar Fire, which killed 16 people in San Diego County. 

At least 31 people are now confirmed dead across northern California and the toll will likely climb higher, with hundreds of people still missing and dozens of official searchers combing the rubble of burned homes and businesses with dog teams, searching for bodies.

Wine industry organizations throughout California form support network to assist vintners in three counties; leaders call for national support

Photo: Twitter user RSLRutledge

October 11, 2017 (Santa Rosa) -- Wine industry leaders have formed a support network to provide immediate assistance and long-term aid to victims of the fires ravaging Northern California and are calling on the national wine community for additional help.  Organized by a group of association leaders representing the Golden State’s major winegrowing regions, support efforts include fundraising and creation of an online resource where vintners can find and offer resources, such as generators, trailers, lodging and manpower.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Wildfires burning in Anaheim and Northern California should remind you we’re in the thick of fire season, and that one could flare up any moment. Now’s the time to take stock of your emergency supplies and review your family emergency plan. Would you be ready to react if you got notice of a fast-moving fire threatening homes in your community?

Source: San Miguel Fire District

Update October 10, 2017: This fire is now 7,500 acres and 5% contained.  Evacuations have expanded.  For details visit: http://www.anaheim.net/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=CANYON-FIRE-2-3

Update 2 p.m.:  The Canyon 2 Fire has exploded to over 2,000 acres and has burned homes in the Anaheim Hills, ABC 7 reports.  Ashes are falling at Disneyland.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Service

Photo, left: California Adventures at Disneyland backdropped by orange smoke from the fire (ChristSmith@LilyAChitty on Twitter, via Cal Fire)

October 9, 2017 (Anaheim) – A fast-moving brush fire, #Canyon2Fire  that started  off East Santa Ana Canyon Road and Gypsum Canyon Rd. near the junction of highways 91 and 241 in the Anaheim Hills area of Orange County has jumped across highway 241, also forcing closure of highway 91, Anaheim Fire and Rescue Department reports.

By Patricia Landis, former board member, Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District

October 7, 2017 (Julian) -- I am a retired psychologist and not a journalist or investigative reporter. As a psychologist, my job was to listen. Maybe that is why so many individuals come and tell me “what’s going on.” I have become a repository of information about our fire department and I believe I need to share what I am hearing because it affects the lives of all of us living in the Julian-Cuyamaca fire district.

East County News Service

East County News Service

October 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) this week announced a $100,000 charitable grant to purchase essential equipment and medical apparatus for San Diego County Fire and rural fire agencies to better serve local communities and protect the region from future fires.

Update:  The CPUC has announced it will hold this agenda item slated for the Thursday morning hearing, meaning no vote will be taken on this agenda item.  Public comment will still be accepted before all five commissioners at the start of the mornng hearing .

Public comment will also be taken during an all parties meeting later in the day, but not all commisioners will be present at the later meeting. See more details at the end of this story.

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2017 (San Diego) –The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Chula Vista City Council Chambers  (276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista) on the CPUC’s proposed decision to deny SDG&E’s application to charge ratepayers $379 million for recovery of its uninsured losses related to the 2007 Witch, Rice and Guejito wildfires.  A similar request for $594 million was previously denied in 2012.

SDG&E sought to recover those losses through a Wildfire Expense  Memorandum Account (WEMA).  The proposed decision against SDG&E has drawn praise from some, including Supervisor Dianne Jacob, but concerns from others including a fire survivor and intervener in the case.  Some ratepayer advocates also warn that the CPUC could  change its mind on the proposed denial of SDG&E’s WEMA application or postpone action following ex-parte lobbying efforts by the utility company.

This year's wildfire season is the most expensive on record. Last year, the Pioneer Fire burned nearly 190,000 acres of the Boise National Forest.

By Eric Tegethoff, Public News Service

Photo: U.S. Forest Service

September 25, 2017 (Boise, ID) -- A rare moment of bipartisanship is catching on among Western states' members of Congress with a bill to treat wildfires more like other natural disasters.

By Valerie Watts

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Group (SPFMG) invites you to a public open house where you can learn more about the fire mitigation grants program and the results of the Year 2017 Grants Program.  The open house will be held Tuesday, September 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.