Wildfire and Emergency News

ANITA FIRE HALTED YARDS FROM HOMES IN SPRING VALLEY



Story and Photos by Josh Stotler



August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley)--A vegetation fire threatened homes on Millar Ranch Road north of Millar Anita Ln in Spring Valley today. Some residents were ordered to evacuated and others asked to shelter in place amid flying ash and debris, with firefighting vehicles lining the roadway. Emergency responders helped escort evacuating residents to safety while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:24 pm and crews responded to find a fire in dense vegetation moving at a moderate rate of spread. Homes on Millar Ranch Rd were immediately threatened and more resources were ordered. Air and ground resources worked under a unified fire command to attack this fire head on and keep the loss of life and property to zero.

Cal Fire crews lit a back fire to eliminate fuel between the head of the fire and houses.

One homeowner, Grace Russo, stayed behind to help save her home. “I sent my daughter and my 90 year old mother to safety and I stayed behind with my labs,” she said of the family's dogs.


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SHELTER-IN-PLACE/EVACUATION ORDER BETWEEN 94 AND SD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE/SAN MIGUEL MTN

UPDATE: Forward progress stopped at ~12 acres, per incident command, reports Liam Winstead
 
UPDATE: Zone SDC-2217 has been split into two zones. Zone SDC-2217B remains under an Evacuation Order. Zone SDC-2217-A is now under an Evacuation Warning. A new Evacuation Warning has been issued for zone SDC-2218. The Evacuation Warning has been lifted for zone SDC-2098. For the zones' parameters download Watch Duty app.
 
UPDATE: the #AnitaFire is now 15-20 acres and designated evacuation point Regal Edwards Cinema on Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego (El Cajon)
 
August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The #AnitaFire started on the west side of Millar Ranch Road but jumped, now well established on both sides, just north of Millar Anita Lane, resulting in immediate structures threatened and a requested Evacuation Order for Zone SDC-2217.

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NEWSOM SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL TO LAUNCH 500,000 CALIFORNIANS INTO NEW CAREERS. MANY ARE FIREFIGHTERS

Photo: A car burns during a training session as an apprentice lays out a fire hose at the Los Angeles County Fire Department East County Training Center, in Pomona, on July 8, 2024. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

In his 2018 campaign, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would create 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. So far, the state has registered more than 180,000 new apprenticeships. Many of them are firefighters.
 
 
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
 
August 6, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Flames curled around a white 1997 Buick as the airbags exploded, sounding like gunshots. The tires popped next, sending metal pieces flying. Four men battled the blaze, shooting water through a firehose while Captain Michael Chapman looked on.
 
By the end of the day, he said, this training academy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department will torch 10 cars.

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ANALYSIS: HUMAN MISTAKES — NOT ARSON –ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF CALIFORNIA’S WILDFIRES

 

By Julie Cart , CalMatters

Photo: The Park Fire burning near Chico is a rare example of a blaze apparently caused by arson. Image from Cal Fire video

August 10, 2024 (San Diego) -- Of all the insidious threats faced by wildland firefighters — extreme heat, desiccated forests, unpredictable fire behavior and a nearly year-round fire season — what might be the most fearsome? 

Humans.

People do dangerous things, things that start wildfires. Pushing a burning car into a gully. Mowing the lawn on a hot summer day. Miswiring a hot tub. Driving cars with flat tires. Burning toilet paper rather than packing it out of a campsite. Setting off smoke bombs at gender reveal parties.

In hot, dry conditions already primed for fire, people’s actions can quickly escalate from a harmless mistake — such as hammering a metal stake into the parched ground — to igniting a blaze that kills a firefighter.

People — whether purposeful, reckless or simply careless —  are responsible for about 95% of California’s wildfires. Last year alone, people caused more than 7,000 wildfires in California; nationally, it was more than 50,000.


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WALDRON BILL WOULD CREATE SPECIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICTS IN SEVERE FIRE ZONES

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – AB 1819, a measure by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) would authorize counties to create special infrastructure financing districts in high or very high fire hazard severity zones.  These districts would fund wildfire mitigation apparatus and infrastructure including new heavy equipment to clear vegetation, create firebreaks, and harden utility infrastructure against wildfires.

 “As climate change progresses, our state is affected by longer, more intense, and increasingly hazardous wildfires. In San Diego alone, almost one-fourth of all wildfires start from the combustion of roadside vegetation by vehicles. It is crucial to have the proper firefighting equipment to prevent wildfires,” a statement by Waldron in the  Senate Floor analysis.“Obtaining funding to increase prevention response and fire-fighting equipment. backcountry areas has been difficult. The creation of an infrastructure financing district for this purpose will raise the necessary funding without the need to raise taxes.”

The bill has passed the Assembly unanimously (with several members absent) and is currently awaiting action in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  All legislative business must be concluded by August 31, the last day of the legislative session.


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EVACUATIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AS NIXON FIRE REACHES 4,941 ACRES

Update Aug. 3, 2024: All evacuation warnings have been lifted for the  #Nixon Fire. Cal Fire investigators have found the cause was a privately owned electrical panel.

Update Aug. 2, 2024:The #NixonFire is 21% contained at 5,222 acres.  The cause was a malfunctioning electrical panel at a private residence, Cal Fire reports. The evacuation center at Temecula Valley High School, 31555 Rancho Vista Rd., Temecula, CA 92592 closed today and a reception and care center will open at Hamilton High School in Anza at 9 a.m. today. Operating hours will be at 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. beginning Saturday.

Update Aug. 1, 2024:  The #NixonFire is 14% contained and is now 5,194 acres.  Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

July 31, 2024  (San Diego's East County) -- An evacuation warning has been issued for parts of San Diego County near Warner Springs due to the fast-moving #NixonFire which started in Riverside County.  Residents should be prepared to evacuate if needed. For fire maps and updated evacuation details, visit alertsandiego.org/en-us.html and shorturl.at/DNmFH, the San Diego Sheriff advises. 

The #NixonFire is 4,941 acres and 5% contained, burning to the south and east in rugged terrain. Overnight,a spot fire briefly crossed the county line into San Diego County,but was extinguished by firefighters.

At least 7 homes have burned in Riverside County, NBC 7 reports.


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BORDER 66 FIRE CROSSES BORDER NEAR TECATE

Photo:  View from Lyons Peak, Jamul, looking south

Update 4 p.m.-- Forward spread of the #Border66Fire has been stopped at 300 acres, per Cal Fire.

July 30, 2024 (Tecate) - The #Border66Fire that started 2.5 miles west of Highway 188, Tecate this afternoon is now 296 acres and has crossed the international border, Cal Fire reports.

The fire has a moderate rate of spread and zero containment thus far. There is potential for extended attack and multiple air tankers have been requestesd.


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NIXON FIRE NOW 3,500 ACRES: 2,000 HOMES AT RISK IN RIVERSIDE AND SAN DIEGO COUNTIES

 

Update 8:30 p.m.The Nixon Fire has swelled to 3,500 acres, per pilot estimates reported on Watch Duty App.  A helitanker will be working the fire through the night, though some other air drops have been halted overnight. Winds have been shifting and there is no containment as darkness falls.

Per Cal Fire, nearly 2,000 residences are affected by evacuation orders and warnings.  This includes Sunshine Summit in San Diego County, where residents report Sheriff's deputies advising them to evacuate tonight, as well as in Aguanga, Cahuillo and possibly other communities in this rapidly evolving situation.

 

Update 6 p.m.-- The fire is now 1,000, burning into Beauty Mountain Wilderness. Homes remain threatened.  Additional large air tankers and other resources have been requestesd by the incident commander, Watch Duty app reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2024 (Aguanga, CA) – A fast moving brush fire that started between Aguanga and Anza is threatening numerous homes and has sparked evacuation orders and warnings in Aguanga and on the Cahuilla reservation.  The fire in Riverside County is just over the San Diego County line, a few miles of Warner Springs.

It is burning eastward and per Cal Fire is currently around 295 acres with 0% containment. 

An evacuation center has been opened at Temecula Valley High School (31555 Rancho Vistas Rd., Temecula).  Animal services will be on site to assist with animals.

The fire has a dangerous rate of spread,per the incident commander and news photographers on site.


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GROVE FIRE UPDATE, MOST EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

 
East County News Service
 
Photo, right, by Chet Kalinowska
 
July 25, 2024 (Sunshine Summit) -- CAL FIRE San Diego has an update on the Grove Fire burning near Warner Springs, which was caused by lightning.
 
Please refer to the map below to see the changes made to the evacuation order and warning.
 
The red area remains under an evacuation order.
 
The yellow areas remain under an evacuation warning. Evacuated residents can return home but are strongly encouraged to REMAIN READY to leave if fire conditions change. If you need extra time to evacuate, you are advised to stay clear of the area

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EVACUATIONS IN GROVE FIRE NEAR WARNER SPRINGS

Update 12:46 p.m. per CAL FIRE San Diego County Fire: #GroveFire [update] the fire is now 900 acres and 10% contained. The cause has been determined to be lightning. Read the latest in Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association.

Update 8:38 a.m. 7/25 from Sekhar Padmanabhan a Staff Reporter on Watch Duty app: Evacuation order downgraded to a warning for zone SDC-0075. Fire holding at 816 acres.

Photo, right by Chet Kalinowski

Update 7:42 p.m. 7/24 from Liam Winstead: "FIRIS has mapped the fire at 816 acres. The permineter can be viewed by toggling on the Active Fire Perimeters layer on the Watch Duty map. Note that perimeters are preliminary and do not reflect any structure protection efforts by firefighters on the ground."

 

07/24/2024 07:14 PM PDT

Large Animal Shelter Opened at Ramona High School for Grove Fire

 

Per the San Diego Sheriff Department, residents impacted by the Grove Fire EVACUATION ORDERS with large animals can go to Ramona High School located at 1401 Hanson Lane, Ramona, CA 92065.

For those under an EVACUATION WARNING, always take into consideration that large animals take extra time to evacuate. It's best to leave now or prepare early so you are ready to go.

Follow @SDSheriff and @CALFIRESANDIEGO for updates.

For an interactive map with updated emergency information, visit: OES Emergency Map

Update 5 p.m.  Evacuation orders have been issued in the #Grove Fire, which is now 400 acres with potential for 2,000,  Find map and evacuation details at https://www.alertsandiego.org.  Evacuation center is at Warner Springs High.

Update: 4 p.m. the #GroveFire is now at 250-300 acres

Update: 3 p.m. the #GroveFire is now at 50 acres

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

Photos courtesy: Watch Duty app, San Diego Sheriff and East County Magazine

July 24, 2024 (Sunshine Summit) -- CAL-Fire is at scene of a vegetation #GroveFire in the area of Dodge Valley in the community of Sunshine Summit. The fire is 15 acres with a moderate rate of spread. Additional resources have been ordered, per CAL-Fire on X.

Download Watch Duty app 


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HIGHWAY 67 CLOSED NORTH OF POWAY ROAD DUE TO #MINAFIRE

By Jonathan Goetz

Update 6:27 p.m. per Caltrans: SR-67 all lanes reopen to traffic.

July 21, 2024 (Poway) -- Highway 67 is closed northbound at Poway Road and southbound at Archie Moore, reports Caltrans San Diego on X, due to the #MinaFire.


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FIRE KILLS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS AT DEMLER BROTHERS EGG RANCH, SITE OF 2019 ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATION

East County News Service
 
Photo credit: Maggie Bellah
 
July 20, 2024 (Ramona) – A large barn fire broke out Thursday at Demler Brothers Egg Ranch, a factory egg farm in Ramona that confines approximately two million chickens and supplies eggs to Walmart, Smart & Final, and other chains. Tens of thousands of birds inside the impacted barn burned to death, and animal rights activists who went to the scene were told there were no plans to evacuate birds in the remaining barns, according to Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an international animal rights group which says Animal Services was not present at the scene. Demler Brothers Egg Ranch was previously investigated by the San Diego chapter of DxE in 2019, when the group’s investigators found tens of thousands of animals in extreme confinement inside the facility, injured birds languishing in trash bins, and corpses on the floor.

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EGG RANCH BURNING IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Tim Glaudini

July 19, 2024 (Ramona) – A fire is burning at  an egg ranch facility in the 25800 block of Highway 78 in Ramona.

The fire is contained to one 25,000 square foot structure that houses approximately 70,000 hens.


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FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM FROM BURNING MOBILE HOME IN SANTEE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Scott Lagace

July 17, 2024 (Santee) – Santee firefighters rescued an unconscious woman from a mobile home engulfed in flames this afternoon, also saving numerous cats, though one cat perished.

Crews were  dispatched at 12:07 p.m. to the fire at Hawaiian Village Mobile Home Park, Unit 84 on Buena Vista Avenue in Santee,  arriving five minutes later. Occupants outside reported a potential victim still inside, so fire crews started extinguishing the flames and entered the residence, where they found the unconscious woman.


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IMPROVED FIRE AND MEDICAL SERVICES DELIVERED TO BORREGO SPRINGS

By Chuck Westerheide, San Diego County News Center
 
July 12, 2024 (Borrego Springs) -- One year out, San Diego County Fire Protection District is making good on its promise to deliver fire protection, emergency medical services, and ambulance transportation in Borrego Springs and major improvements are underway.

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BOMB SCARE IN LA MESA PROMPTS EVACUATIONS, BUT DEVICE PROVES HARMLESS

East County News Service
 
July 2, 2024 (La Mesa)  -- La Mesa Police responded to calls early this morning reporting a man waving a knife in the 5800 block of Kelton Street. He pulled a handgun from a bag and put it on the curb as officers tried to deescalate the situation. After about 20 minutes, the suspect reached toward the gun and officers fired beanbag rounds, taking the suspect into custody.  
 
When officers looked inside his vehicle, a white Toyota Yaris, they saw several red five-gallon fuel tanks and called the Sheriff’s bomb squad. Several residents were temporarily evacuated until the bomb squad determined the device was not explosive. Residents were allowed to return home around 10 a.m. Kelton Avenue was closed to all traffic between El Paso Street and Zeta Street for several hours but has since reopened.

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EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED IN MCCAIN FIRE THAT THREATENED DE ANZA SPRINGS RESORT

Update July 6, 2025 8 a.m.--The fire is 95% contained, per Cal Fire.

Update July 4, 4:30 p.m. -- All evacuation warnings are lifted and all roads are open. Cal Fire asks that people please drive carefully. Smoke is still visible, but there is no danger to the public at this point, per County Emergency Services.

Update July 3, 8:30 a.m.  The #McCainFire has burned 1,352 acres and is 50% contained. Evacuation warnings remain in place for portions of Boulevard as firefighters continue working in rugged terrain, though evacuation orders were lifted.The Red Cross has closed the evacuation center at Golden Acorn.

Update July 2, 3:30 p.m.-- De Anza evacuation order has been lifted. Residents can return home but some nearby areas remain under an evacuation warning; these residents are asked to remain vigilant since the fire is still burning. To see the zones for the evacuation warning, follow this link.

Update July 2, 8:00 a.m.-- I-8 West has reopened.  The fire has burned 1,000 acres and is 5% contained.


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VEGETATION FIRE ON HUMPHRIES ROAD IN TECATE, CA

Update 5:30 p.m.: The fire is 23 acres and 50% contained per Cal-Fire.

East County News Service

July 2, 2024 (Tecate) -- Cal-Fire is on the scene of a vegetation fire on Humphries Road in Tecate, CA. Very little information is available at this time but the fire is at 5 acres with a potential for 500 acres, per Cal-Fire.




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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EVACUATING FROM THE MCCAIN FIRE

July 1, 2024 (Jacumba)—Paul Cummings drove from Ribbonwood Road at I-8 east to Jacumba tonight, and sent these photos taken with his iphone.  He says 8 West (which is shut down at Carrizo Gorge) is a staging area for many fire trucks. “Some are coming into Jacumba now,” he says, adding that he also saw several helicopters on scene.

The view from I-8 included many small fires in rugged, rocky terrain difficult for firefighters to access, creating an eerie volcano-like effect.


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WILDFIRE IN LAKE MORENA

Update 8:55 p.m. - the fire is at 47 acres and 50% contained per Cleveland National Forest on X.

Update 7 p.m. --Old Highway 80 has reopened.

Update 4 p.m.--Boulder Oaks Campground is being evacuated as a precaution.

Update 2:12 p.m.--Eastbound I-8 exit at Kitchen Creek is closed, per CHP site. The fire is now 43 acres and 5% contained, per Cleveland National Forest.

Update 11:53 p.m.  CHP is closing down Old Highway 80 between Kitchen Creek and Buckman Springs Road.

June 30, 2024 (Lake Morena) -- The #Kitchen Fire reported 15 minutes ago has grown to 25 acres, with no containment. The fire startedon Kitchen Creek Road near Old Highway 80 in Campo's Lake Morena community.

Cal Fire is assisting Cleveland National Forest on this wildland fire. For more information on the #kitchenfire follow the Cleveland National Forest and watch for updates at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org. Air and ground resources have been dispatched.


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SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER SWAT STANDOFF IN POWAY

East County News Service

File photo: SWAT team, courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff

June 30, 2024 (Poway) –Travis Bradley Miller, 34,is in custody following a six-hour SWAT standoff at his home in the 13000 block of York Avenue in Poway

His roommate called 9-1-1 around 1:30 p.m. yesterday o report that Miller attacked him with a box cutter.The roommate had abrasions during the altercation with the suspect. 


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EXPERTS SHARE TIPS ON FIRE INSURANCE CHANGES, NEW “ZONE ZERO” REQUIREMENTS IN HIGH-FIRE RISK AREAS

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Cal-Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority Captain Thomas Shoots
 
June 27, 2024 (Jamul) – Soaring and often inaccessible fire insurance rates, new defensible space mandates for the five feet closest to structures, and how to form fire-wise communities were among the hot topics discussed at the Jamul-Dulzura Fire Safe Council meeting on June 11. Speakers Sharon Smith, outreach analyst with the Calif. Dept. of Insurance, and Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Captain Thomas Shoots provided insights including:

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SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES

 
June 26, 2024 (San Diego) -- As temperatures rise this summer, it’s important to consider safeguarding your property from wildfires.

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MYLAR BALLOONS BELIEVED CAUSE OF JAMACHA FIRE

Balloons found on and under powerlines

Story & Photos by Josh Stotler

June 26, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) -- Many factors can cause a fire. As temperatures begin to climb and vegetation dries out, the risk of wildfire is all too real to rural San Diegans. A recent vegetation fire was reported along Jamacha Blvd. and Campo Rd. just outside Rancho San Diego on Wednesday, June 19.

The fire was dispatched as a small vegetation fire in medium to heavy fuels with a moderate rate of spread. San Miguel fire was first on scene and confirmed an active brush fire. Units from neighboring agencies including Cal Fire and air support from San Diego Sheriff's ASTREA and Romona Air Attack base were dispatched to the scene. 

As ground crews battled the flames the investigative division of Cal-Fire was focusing on the cause of the fire.


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DEL MAR BRUSH FIRE: 2500 EVACUATED, FAIRGROUNDS OPENED AS TEMPORARY EVACUATION CENTER

Update: Evacuation orders have been lifted but certain areas remain closed to vehicle traffic.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts 

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

June 25, 2024 (Del Mar) -- A fire in Del Mar has burned 19 acres, resulting in mandatory evacuations for 2500 people, though firefighters have halted the fire's forward spread. Evacuees are being directed to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, where the San Diego County Fair is underway.

If you are going to the Fair, be aware that traffic and air quality have also been negatively impacted. Del Mar Heights and Carmel Valley Rd. exits are both closed due to the fire. Air quality is impacted as far east as Poway.


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FIREFIGHTERS MAKE QUICK WORK OF FIRE IN PALA, STILL FIGHTING IN OTAY MESA

Update: As of 6:52 p.m. 6/23 the #border58fire on Otay Mountain is still at 137 acres and 80% contained.

By Jonathan Goetz

June 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- Cal-fire is making full use of air resources today in remote hard to reach areas first in Pala, in North County, and then in South Bay approximately five miles southeast of Otay Lakes, the latter of which is still only partially contained. 

The #Border58Fire approximately near Otay Truck Trail that burned 137 acres as of 5:55 p.m., but most of that burned within the first two and a half hours of the fire and rotor wing aircraft making significant progress before the blaze was able to get out of control. The fire is 5% contained as of 7:19 p.m. per Cal-Fire on X.


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EXTREME HEAT FORECAST FRIDAY THROUGH NEXT WEEK

East County News Service

June 20, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)  --The National Weather Service is warning of a prolonged heat wave starting Friday and extending to late next week. But before you think about going to the beach to cool off, be aware that potentially dangerous lightning storms and rip currents are forecast for coastal areas Saturday and Sunday. 

Temperatures could reach up to 114 degrees by this weekend in the low deserts and up to 105 degrees in the high deserts.   San Diego County valleys and mountains could reach 98 degrees.  The high heat poses risks of heat-related illness for people, pets and livestock without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.


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JAMACHA FIRE NEAR CAMPO ROAD

 

Update 3 p.m.: This fire is contained. Firefighters are on scene mopping up.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

June 19, 2024 (Spring Valley)-- A brush fire has burned 1 to 1.5 acres nearJamacha Blvd. and Campo Rd. in Spring Valley.  This fire is burning under power lines, so air resources are unable to suppress the fire with a drop. The fire is burning in medium fuels at a slow rate of speed, per Watch Command.

CHP has shut down Jamacha Blvd. in both directions


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CALIFORNIA PUSHES INSURERS TO COVER MORE HOMES IN SPECIFIC AREAS

California can’t legally require insurers to write either residential or commercial property policies. But the state expects insurers to comply with the options unveiled Wednesday in part because they get something they want in return: catastrophe modeling.
 

By Levi Sumagaysay, Cal Matters
 
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
 
Photo: Firefighters battling a fire in Valley Center, one of the zip codes designated as "high-fire-risk," where officials would encourage more policies to be written, 2010 file photo
 
June 18, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveiled Wednesday an effort to force insurers to resume writing policies in high-fire-risk areas — part of an overall plan to address the state’s insurance crisis
 
It consists of three different ways insurers can meet minimum requirements for writing policies in areas deemed “high risk” or “very high risk” by the department, which aligns with Cal Fire’s identification of hazard zones. Insurance Department regulators said this hybrid approach takes into account the state’s complex geography as well as the different risk levels that big and small insurers can afford to assume. Lara said this should help homeowners who have lost coverage or been forced to turn to the last-resort FAIR Plan.
 
Insurance companies would have these three options:

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READER’S EDITORIAL: A BIPARTISAN WILDFIRE PREVENTION PLAN THAT’S COST EFFECTIVE

An open letter to California and Oregon elected officials from the husband of a woman killed by wildfire smoke toxins
 
Photo and editorial by Capt. William E. Simpson II - USMM Ret., Founder and Executive Director, Wild Horse Fire Brigade
 
Photo: This family of wild horses in Cascade Siskiyou National Monument (CSNM) cost-effectively manages a large area of reduced wildfire fuels year-round in a manner that has many environmental and ecological benefits to the forest. Horse grazing in the CSNM was instrumental in helping CALFIRE's suppression of the 2018 Klamathon Fire, which threatened to destroy Ashland, Oregon. Unlike ruminant grazers (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) that digest seeds of native plants and grasses, ending their life-cycles, horses pass a majority of seeds they consume in their dung, which completes the life-cycles of the flora, and benefits all of the fauna in the ecosystem, including pollinators.
 
June 17, 2024 -- Wildfire is arguably the most serious bi-partisan issue we all face. The fire and toxins in the smoke kill indiscriminately, and do so across county, district and state lines, without mercy. A new report out now proves the toxins in the smoke from wildfire AND prescribed fires are killing thousands of people!  

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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