Photos by Daren Sefcik

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July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –Full containment is expected tomorrow on the Eagle Fire, which has now charred 14,100 acres. Cal Fire has determined that arson caused the fire, but has not disclosed details pending completion of an investigation.

The Borrego Palm Canyon Campground in Anza Borrego Des ert State Park and the Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp re-open today.

By Miriam Raftery

July 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have determined that arson is the cause of the Eagle Fire, which has thus far burned 14,100 acres and injured 14 firefighters.

Who set the blaze, and what was the motive? Cal-Fire has not disclosed details on how the fire was started, or if there are any suspects. If caught, the perpetrator could face not only jail time, but a hefty bill--since firefighting costs now exceed $11.6 million.

Update 7 p.m.:  The Eagle Fire is 12,700 acres and 45% contained. There have been 6 minor injuries to firefighters. 11 miles of containment line to be built, and firefighters continue to construct, hold and improve containment lines.

Cost to fight the fire $6.2 million.
 

Community members voice concerns over military training center on reservation, seek answers as to cause of wildfire that now exceeds $2.5 million in firefighting costs

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The Eagle Fire, which began around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, has scorched 4,000 acres and is 30% contained. The cost to suppress the fire is $2 million thus far, with 814 firefighters currently on the scene. The fire began near Highway 79 in the vicinity of the Los Coyotes Indian reservation near Warner Springs.

Cal-Fire’s Roxanne Provaznik said there have been no reported injuries or structures threatened. However Ramona Patch.com and other media have reported outbuildings burned as well as property leased by a camp used for military training.

July 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The Erickson Air Crane, a heavy-left helicopter contracted by SDG&E for construction work on Sunrise Powerlink, was called early this afternoon to help battle the Eagle Fire. The massive chopper can carry up to 30,000 gallons of water or fire retardant chemicals.

The Eagle Fire has scorched 2,500 acres and remains just 5% contained as of 5 p.m. this evening. It is currently burning about 14 miles east of Santa Ysabel near Warner Springs on tribal lands as well as state park property.

July 21, 2011 (Anza Borrego) – A major brush fire has started near Highway 79 and S2 in an extremely remote area near a campground, Incident Page Network reported at 11:28 p.m. tonight. The blaze has swelled from 30 acres to 80 acres in just 20 minutes. It is burning in the Anza Borrego State Park.

Note corrected location:  An earlier release from IPN incorrectly listed the fire on Highway78 

Watch for details and updates.

July 19, 2011 (San Diego) – A car fire spread into brush alongside State Route 52 near mast Boulevard this afternoon on the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2011 (El Cajon) – A fire that began around 1:35 on a hill above the 2600 block of Windmill View Road in Fletcher Hills briefly threatened several homes this afternoon.

Heartland Fire & Rescue credits quick action by about 30 firefighters, along with "the fact this hillside was recently cleared of heavy brush by hired workers and goats, creating a defensible space" with limiting the fire to only half an acre. No structures were burned and there were no injuries.  

July 16, 2011 (Jacumba) -- The Buffalo Fire is 100% contained, after burning 26 acres, Cal-Fire reports today.  A total of 211 firefighters  fought the blaze at an estimated fire suppression cost of $200,000.  Currently 12 engines, 8 fire crews, 1 helicopter, 3 bulldozers, 6 water tenders and 1 chief officer remain at the scene.

 Update 10 p.m. - The fire is now 80% contained, after burning 26 acres and destroying 2 outbuildings, Cal-Fire reports.

July 15, 2011 (Jacumba) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of a 3-acre brush fire off of Old Hwy 80 near the community of Jacumba. Named the Buffalo Fire, the blaze started at 3:22 p.m. and originated from a structure fire.

“Currently we have 8 Engines, 2 Fire Crews, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Bulldozer, 2 Airtankers, 2 Helicopters, and 2 Chief Officers, which is approximately 100 firefighters,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik. “The fire is burning uphill to the south, and spreading slowly. There is one outbuilding and one power pole on fire.”

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – As controversy burns around the new fire parcel fee signed into law by Governor Brown, many area residents have asked which communities and what types of structures are subject to the fees. East County Magazine spoke with Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant in Sacramento. We have answers--and a detailed map.

Final Update: June 22 , 2011 -- The Border 9 Fire that began near In Ko Pah Park Rd, Jacumba in San Diego's East County is now 100% contained. The blaze charred 380 acres (40 in the U.S. and 340 in Mexico), Cal-Fire reports.

June 21, 2011 (Sacramento) –The budget vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown this week included 19 bills cobbled together into the budget package. Among those was ABx 1 29, which sought to establish an annual $150 fee for homeowners to fund firefighting costs in areas under state (Cal-Fire) jurisdiction.

“Once again, members of California’s desperate legislature are unfairly targeting rural property owners to make up for the State’s inability to balance its budget and adequately fund fire protection,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said of the measure, which also drew strong opposition from rural residents.