Wildfire and Emergency News

BRUSH FIRE IN POTRERO

Update 5:30 p.m.  This fire was contained at 8 acres, Cal Fire reports.

June 17, 2012 (Potrero) - Cal-Fire is on the scene of a 6-acre brush fire on Potrero Valley Road in Potrero, Incident Page Network reports. The fire is reportedly spreading at a slow rate of speed. Watch for update soon.


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CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO INCREASES STAFFING FOR PEAK FIRE SEASON

 
June 16, 2012 (San Diego) -- As of Monday June 11, Cal Fire/San Diego has increased staffing for peak fire season with an additional 8 engines and an additional bulldozer. That will  bring the total for brush engines to 26 and 3 bull dozers staffed every day.

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EMERALD WANTS SDG&E DOLLARS TO FUND FIRE/RESCUE DEFICIENCIES

 

June 13, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas and Electric has agreed to pay the City of San Diego $27 Million to settle a lawsuit over the 2007 wildfires.  Councilmember Marti Emerald is asking the Mayor to reinvest this cash windfall back into public safety. 
 
The councilmember recommends spending $18 million to design and build critically needed fire stations, citywide, as recommended last year in the Citygate Report on San Diego’s emergency preparedness.

 


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FIRE OFFICIALS HALT “SKY LANTERN” SALES AT WALMART STORES

 

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
June 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A complaint by East County Magazine reader Mary Rajknecht has led Wal-Mart to agree to pull flammable “sky lanterns” off store shelves statewide. Rajknecth notified ECM and local fire officials that the product could be dangerous in our fire-prone area, prompting a warning from the state Fire Marshal's office to be issued. 

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FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER: CREATING DEFENSIBLE SPACE—WILDFIRE SEASON!

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna,  East County Magazine “In-House Fire Chief”
June 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Summer is here and brush fires are already happening throughout San Diego, Southern California and historic fires currently burning in Colorado and New Mexico.
Resources are being stripped from local areas and it’s important that homeowners do their part to mitigate the threat of wildfire protecting their property and to those that fight these fires with limited budgets due to our economy.

 


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FIRE BRIEFLY EVACUATES HOMES IN EAST COUNTY

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) – A brush fire this evening at Lavala Lane and Highway 8 Business loop in El Cajon charred at least two acares, forcing evacuations in the area briefly, Incident Page Network reported. Helicopters dropped water on the blaze, swiftly bringing it under control.

Heartland Fire Dispatch reports units are now being released from the scene.


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WILDFIRE EAST OF TECATE IN MEXICO

June 11, 2012 (Tecate)—A Mexican newspaper reports that a forest fire which began east of Tecate on the Mexican side of the border has consumed hundreds of square meters of vegetation, including wildland areas and crops. The blaze is burning toward Mexicali; cause is unknown.


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SIG ALERT: I-8 AT COLLEGE DUE TO BRUSH FIRE

June 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- A SIG ALERT has been issued for I-8 eastbound at College Avenue due to a brush fire. Two lanes are now blocked, Cal-Trans reports. Expect traffic delays.

Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage, and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine with news and events for our region.


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NEW FIRE IN EL MONTE VALLEY

June 10, 2012 (Lakeside) – San Diego County’s third wildfire in one day has charred several acres in El Monte Valley on the north side of Lake Jennings near El Monte Park. No structures are threatened, according to Cal Fire.


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CHIEF’S CORNER: WHAT TO DO DURING A WILDFIRE

By Sam DiGiovanna
June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) 
  • Listen to your portable radio for reports and evacuation information.
  • Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
  • Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
  • Confine pets to one room.
  • Arrange temporary housing.
  • When advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Wear protective clothing.
  • Take your emergency kit.
  • Lock your home.
  • Follow the evacuation route that your local officials have identified.

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WILDFIRE IN LAKESIDE

 

Update June 10, 2012 6 p.m. - The Horse fire has been stopped at 12 acres, Lakeside Fire Chief Andy Parr told ECM.  Fixed wing aircraft and helicopters were used to battle the blaze under a unified command with Cal-Fire. No homes were lost, Chief Parr confirmed.


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ECM EDITOR ON WIND WISE RADIO AT 4:30 TODAY

East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be a guest on WindWise Radio.  The network, which specializes in wind energy issues, broadcasts nationally via live-stream over the Internet.

The show starts at 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, with Raftery slated at 4:40. She will talk about new developments with the Ocotillo Express and Tule Wind projects locally. 

Preston Arrowweed, an elder in the Quechan tribe which has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, will also be a guest on the program.

Listen live at http://www.windwiseradio.org and please call in with your questions and comments at (213)943-3683! Tis is a great chance to air your concerns on wind issues nationally.

 

 


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HIGHWAY 79 CLOSED DUE TO BRUSH FIRES

Update 3:50 pm. The highway is expected to reopen by 6 p.m., starting with one-way traffic.  Traffic is being diverted up Old Highway 80 over the Sunrise Highway currently.

Update:  2:25 p.m.  These fires have been held to a total of 12 acres; air tankers are being dismissed. Fire is contained but not yet out; no structures were lost.


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SMALL FIRE DOUSED EAST OF JULIAN

June 11, 2012 (Julian)—A fire near the Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail and Pacific Crest Trail charred three to five acres east of Julian near Banner grade today, Cal-Fire reports. 


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FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER! BARBECUE SAFETY TIPS

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

 
June 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--It always pays for consumers to be aware that following a few simple safety precautions will help ensure that their outdoor cooking remains trouble-free and enjoyable.

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CAL FIRE OFFERS SAFE MOWING TIPS

 
June 6, 2012 (San Diego) -- If you use a gasoline fueled mower, remember that gasoline gives off flammable vapors which can cause a searing fire or a violent explosion - - it takes only a small spark or flame to bring about such a disaster.

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BANNER FIRE STARTED BY WEED-CLEARING EQUIPEMNT: KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO CLEAR BRUSH

 

CAL-FIRE offers tips for safe brush-clearing

June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – CAL FIRE has sent a warning advising homeowners to use caution when clearing dead brush and grass.  While creating defensible space is a critical step to prepare for wildfire season, as fire danger rises, unsafe use of power equipment can actually start a fire.


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BANNER FIRE 100% CONTAINED; EQUIPMENT BLAMED

May 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Banner Fire is now 100% contained, after scorching 5,321 acres.    The blaze, which started in the Banner Grade area near Julian, cost $4 million in firefighting expenditures to date.


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BRUSH FIRE CONTAINED IN BOULEVARD

Note: ECM apologizes for not sending an alert on this incident. Our editor was away briefly and our assistant editor was left without power due to an SDG&E outage. Thanks to Cal-Fire and Donna Tisdale for the information provided below.


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BANNER FIRE NOW 90 PERCENT CONTAINED

May 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Banner Fire has burned 5,321 acres and is now 90 percent contained, Cal Fire reports.  Full containment of the fire is expected Monday, when acreage estimates are also projected to increase due to more accurate mapping, Roxanne Provaznik at Cal-Fire said.


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IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE

Residents Urged to Clear Defensible Space Ahead of Peak Fire Season

May 27, 2012 (Jamul) – On May 22, Cal Fire and County officials, including County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, gave a tour with the homeowners of a correctly cleared space around a Jamul home.  With vegetation drying out and summer drawing near now is the best time to make sure homes are protected by 100 feet of defensible space.  Cal Fire Chief, Thom Porter led the tour and provided a map of high-risk areas that have not burned recently.


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BANNER FIRE NOW 65 PERCENT CONTAINED; FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS REACH $2 MILLION

 Updated May 27, 2012, 10 a.m. -- The Banner Fire was held at 4,100 acres through the night and remains 65% contained. Fire suppression cost has reached $2 million. Excess resources are now being dismissed, according to Roxanne Provaznik with Cal-Fire.


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BANNER FIRE NOW 3,100 ACRES; FULL CONTROL NOT EXPECTED UNTIL MAY 30

May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Banner Fire has now scorched 3,100 acres and cost $575,000 in fire suppression costs.


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BRUSH FIRE ON HIGHWAY 94

 Update 5:10 p.m. - The forward spread of this fire has been stopped. 

May 25, 2012 (Dulzura) – A brush fire titled the "Pink Fire" is burning in the 17000 block of Highway 94 near Sycamore Canyon in the Dulzura area. 

“It’s burning under power lines,” Battalion Chief Nick Schuler informed ECM.  Currently the fire is approximately three acres in size, burning in a canyon to the east.


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FLARE-UP SPARKS EVACUATION OF RV RESORT IN SHELTER VALLEY

 

May 25, 2012 (Shelter Valley)--The Banner Fire flared up at the eastern end this afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuation of the Stage Coach Trails RV Resort at the south end of the Shelter Valley community.


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BANNER FIRE SWELLS TO 2,500 ACRES; NO STRUCTURES LOST

Update May 25, 2012-7:45 a.m. - The fire is now 2,500 acres and 20% contained.  There have been no reported injuries to firefighters and no structures were damaged or destroyed.  

Cal-Fire reports there are currently 36 engines, 17 fire crews, 3 bulldozers, 9 water tenders, 4 helicopters and 6 airtankers (393 firefighters).  Shelter Valley residents have been allowed to return home.


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BANNER FIRE BURNING EAST OF JULIAN


May 24, 2012 (Julian) – The “Banner Fire” which started at 2:14 p.m.  has burned four to five acres thus far east of Julian near the Banner Grade. 

“The fire is located in an area known as Cigarette Canyon close to the location of last year’s `Great Fire,’” Battalion Chief Nick Schuler say, adding that the blaze is spreading at a “moderate rate.”

Webcam image from Volcan Mountain:  http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/L/sy-av8185-1_3.jpg


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SECOND BORDER FIRE NEAR DULZURA


May 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A border fire in Jewell Valley that has been burning for several days is now 100% contained.  However a new fire erupted this afternoon on Marron Valley Road near Dulzura.  The new fire, known as Border Fire #7, is now 70% contained and its spread has been stopped, according to Cal-Fire.

Border Fire #7 has burned about 25 acres in the U.S. and 15 in Mexico.  The Incident Commander has released three fire crews and all air-tankers assigned.


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SPREAD OF FIRE STOPPED ON U.S. SIDE OF BORDER; I FIREFIGHTER HAS MINOR INJURY

 

May 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- The spread of a 600-acre fire that has burned over 15 acres on the U.S. side of the border in the Jewel Valley area has been stopped, CAL-FIRE reports.

 “There is extensive mop up on this portion of the incident, and crews will be committed well into the night,” said Roxanne Provaznik with CAL-FIRE. “The fire is still spreading eastward in Mexico.  We will continue to monitor the fire activity in Mexico to determine any threat.”

There is one minor heat-related injury to a firefighter.


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600 ACRE FIRE HAS BURNED INTO U.S. FROM MEXICO

Update 1:20 p.m. - The fire has burned 15-20 acres on the U.S. side of the border, Incident  Page Network and Cal-Fire report.  Additional strike forces teams were ordered however Cal-Fire Roxanne Provaznik now states that good progress is being made on the fire and that two of four air tankers have been released. 

May 17, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--CAL FIRE/San Diego Fire Authority is on the scene of a brush fire along the U.S./Mexico border.  The fire in Mexico is approximately 600 acres and has just crossed into the U.S. 


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