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.

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.

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.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez and Shane Harris, President of the People's Associate of Justice Advocates, raise Juneteenth flag

June 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – In honor of Juneteenth, a federal and county holiday, events and recognitions have been held across our region.

Juneteenth flags were raised in the cities of Lemon Grove and Chula Vista, at the Sweetwater Union School District,and other venues, while La Mesa hosted a Junetenth and Friends celebration.

On June19,1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free—over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the emancipation proclamation. Juneteenth commemorates this official end to slavery in the U.S.

East County Wildfire & Emergengy Alerts

June 16, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- A brush fire in the In-Ko-Pah area has burned 30 acres at the boundary of Jacumba and Ocotillo, near the San Diego and Imperial County lines this afternoon. The #Inkopah5Fire is 20 percent contained and forward spread has been halted, per Cal Fire. On westbound I-8 just east of In-Ko-Pah, one lane is closed due to the fire.

Ben Schultz, owner of the Desert View Tower roadside landmark and Boulder Park on In-Ko-Pah, both on the National Registry of Historic Places, says he was told to evacuate after the fire started close to his home and businesses on In-Ko-Pah Road, but stayed trying to roundup his dogs and cats.

“High winds still making the fire out here seem rather scary,” he posted. Schultz said an RV brought to In-Ko-Pah Towing caught fire, igniting dry brush between I-8 and In-Ko-Pah Road.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo by MIriam Raftery:  Bishop Robert McElroy, now a cardinal, at 2018 bicentennial of the Santa Ysabel Mission.

June 16, 2024 (San Diego) --In a letter to parishioners and clergy on Thursday, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego, announced that the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, June 17. 

In his letter, the Cardinal states, “The Diocese faces two compelling moral claims in approaching the settlement process: the need for just compensation for victims of sexual abuse and the need to continue the Church’s mission of education, pastoral service and outreach to the poor and marginalized. Bankruptcy offers the best pathway to achieve both.”

But an attorney representing survivors of clergy sex abuse is blasting the action as a deceptive legal ploy to protect church assets and secrets.