March 25, 2012 (Otay) A brush fire that began in a canyon at 5353 Airway Road in the Otay area is being fed by heavy winds, Incident Page Network reports.  A helicopter has been requested to aid with water drops at 4:56 p.m.

February 24, 2012 (San Diego)—San Diego County residents will finally have a chance to tell the California Public Utilities Commission what they think about San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposal to charge ratepayers $463.9 million for the utility’s uninsured losses due to the 2007 wildfires caused by its poorly maintained power lines.

Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon will hold a public participation hearing on April 5 from 4-9 p.m. at the Al Bar Shriner Auditorium , 4330 Kearny Mesa Road in San Diego.

The announcement follows a February 21, 2012 “Turko Files” KUSI TV investigative report which revealed over a dozen private meetings in which SDG&E executives wined and dined CPUC Commissioner Simon,  who is acting as a judge on this matter:  http://www.kusi.com/story/16988213/almost-anything-goes.

 2 other utilities have withdrawn requests to make ratepayers pay for wildfire damages

By Miriam Raftery

 
February 1, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is all about being prepared for a disaster, such as an earthquake, firestorm or house fire. This FREE preparedness education program offers residents the knowledge and tools they'll need in the event of a disaster.  The first academy is now full, but there are two more academies being offered for 2012.  Pick the one that best fits your schedule, and call (619) 441-1737 to register.  Please leave your name and best contact phone number.  Hurry, classes will fill quickly.  

January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Saturday due to high winds and warm, dry weather that will create “explosive fire growth potential.”

January 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re seeing smoke over our local mountains, don’t panic.  Cal-Fire confirms that it is assisting the Rancho Cuyamaca State Park with a controlled burn today.

IPN indicates the burn is at the Middle Peaks area of the Park.

 Update 8:35 p.m.: The fire is now knocked down and residents are cleared to return to their residences.

January 7, 2012 (Lakeside)--Firefighters are on the scene of a garage fire  at 12097 Gay Rio Drive in Lakeside.  "The fire is putting up a lot of smoke and they're getting people out of the houses nearby," ECM photographer Dennis Richardson told ECM.

One person is reportedly suffering smoke inhalation and will be transported to a local hospital.

 
January 4, 2012 (San Diego County) -- Effective January 1, 2012, California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) will become the state liaison for the Firewise Communities/USA program in California. This new designation is part of an agreement between Firewise USA, CFSC and CAL FIRE that delegates CAL FIRE's authority as State Firewise liaison to the California Fire Safe Council. The agreement is memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding between CFSC and CAL FIRE.

 
January 2, 2012 (Alpine)--The Alpine Fire Protection District has approved pension changes with the Alpine Fire Fighters Association. After months of negotiations, at a Board meeting on December 20, 2011 both sides agreed to a contract extension that makes changes to the pensions of current and future Firefighters employed with the District. All employees of the Alpine Fire District are members of the CalPERS retirement system.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2011 (Sacramento)—The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has withdrawn its proposed fire parcel fee for further revisions and will reexamine the fee level in January.

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2011 (Sacramento)—The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has approved a $150 fire parcel fee on rural property owners. Those living in a fire district will receive a $35 discount, dropping the fee to $115. The state estimates that 90 percent of structures will quality for the savings.

 By Miriam Raftery

Update 7:30 p.m. November 2, 2011- Cal-Fire will continue to monitor this fire through the night, says Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler. "Cal-Fire has not crossed over the border," he said. The fire is burning northwest and progress is being made toward containment. 

He had no updates on size, last estimated at 600 acres, but said he will send an update if the fire should cross over into the U.S.