ACLU TO MONITOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS' RIGHTS

 

Social service agencies are required by law to provide disaster-related assistance without asking for information or documents

East County News Service

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- As wildfires rage in Southern California this week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of San Diego and Imperial Counties is on alert to protect the rights of fire victims in this region.


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LOW-INCOME FIRE SURVIVORS TO GET REBUILDING HELP FROM UNITED WAY

 

East County News Service

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) – Wildfires are currently devastating regions of Southern California, with hundreds of thousands of acres destroyed and people displaced from Ventura to San Diego Counties, including the growing Lilac Fire. United Way of San Diego County is working with United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which has set up the Southern California Wildfire Fund to help victims of these fires rebuild their lives. For this fund, 100 percent of the donations collected through this designated fund will support long-term recovery and re-building efforts for low-income families affected by the fires.


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DONATE TO HELP LOCAL FIRE SURVIVORS

 

Source: County of San Diego

Photo: San Diego Fire Department

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- If you are looking to help those affected by the Lilac Fire, a great way to do so is to send a monetary donation to a nonprofit organization. No donation is too small. 


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WESTINGHOUSE GENERATORS RECALLED

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced that Westinghouse Portable Generators have been recalled by MWE Investments because they can overheat, posing a fire hazard: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Westinghouse-Portable-Generators-Recalled-by-MWE-Investments-Due-to-Fire-Hazard.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: LA MESA SHIMMERS

 

East County New Service

December 8, 2017 (La Mesa) – Paul Kruze provided these photo of La Mesa’s holiday tree and street lighting,illuminated at the “La Mesa Shimmer” event.   

Shops along La Mesa Boulevard are also bedecked with holiday trim, just in time for the start of La Mesa’s annual Holiday in the Village celebration this Saturday, December 9th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY ARE CALIFORNIA’S HOMES BURNING? IT ISN’T NATURAL DISASTER, IT’S BAD PLANNING

 

By Richard Halsey

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) - Large, high-intensity wildfires are an inevitable and natural part of life in California. The destruction of our communities is not. But many of the political leaders we elect and planning agencies we depend upon to create safe communities have failed us. They have allowed developers to build in harm’s way, and left firefighters holding the bag.


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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE VICTIMS COULD TAP INSURANCE FOR EVACUATION COST REIMBURSEMENT

 

Insurance may help evacuated residents even if homes not damaged

Source: California Insurance Commissioner

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) – Thousands of residents in San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties ordered to evacuate due to wildfires may have homeowner or renter insurance coverage to help with evacuation and relocation costs, even if their homes are not damaged or destroyed, and in many cases no deductible is required.


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HAZARDOUS FIRE WEATHER CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND: RED FLAG AND HIGH WIND WARNINGS EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY

 

East County News Service

 

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Santa Ana winds will continue this weekend, the National Weather Service advises.  This will combine with very low humidity (5-10% minimums during the days away from the coast and poor nighttime recovery) to bring hazardous fire weather conditions. A red flag warning has been extended until 8 p.m. Sunday from the mountains west to the coast.


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SWEETWATER FIRE CONTAINED IN JAPATUL AREA

 

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

Photo: Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook

 

December 8, 2017 (Japatul) -- Firefighters have contained an 8-10 acre brush fire that started south of I-8 near the Japatul exit in Cleveland National Forest.

Multiple units responded from The U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, Viejas Fire, Alpine and Lakeside Fire departments to the Sweetwater Fire.


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UPDATES ON LILAC FIRE: HELP AVAILABLE FOR EVACUEES AND THOSE WITHOUT POWER

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: SDG&E mobile command north of I-8 at Japatul has free wi-fi, charging stations and water for those affected by power outages in East County.

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for San Diego County due to the Lilac Fire to maximize firefighting resources and the military is also providing aircrafts to fight the fires. The declaration does not cover rebuilding for fire survivors, which could be made through a separation action later.

The National Weather Service’s revised forecast now indicates high winds will continue through Sunday, so the danger of new fires remains high and all residents are asked to refrain from any activities that could spark a fire.

Countywide, thousands remain without power, many due to planned outages to prevent ignition, others due to damaged equipment and fires. But more help is now available.


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SAN DIEGO HALL OF CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER STARS OF THE MONTH

 

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Jahmon McClendon via San Diego Hall of Champions

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego Hall of Champions has released their November Stars of the Month and a Monte Vista High football standout is on the list, as well as former and current SDSU football players and a Sockers player and former Poway High alumnus.


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RESIDENTS VOICE ANGER OVER POWER OUTAGES

Photo, left: Map of outages in San Diego County as of 7:45 a.m. today.

December 8, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- SDG&E has sent warnings to 170,000 San Diego County residents to be prepared for power shutdowns due to the high fire danger posed by strong Santa Ana winds. The utility has already shut off power to thousands of homes in communities across our region including portions of Alpine, Bonsall,  Boulevard, Campo, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Fallbrook, Jamul, Julian, Mount Laguna, Potrero, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Vista and more.

The utility has warned residents that their power could remain off for several days until it can be safely restored. The shut-offs, meant to prevent powerline fires such as those that ignited the 2007 firestorms, are sparking concerns and outrage among some residents, particularly in rural areas. 

Electric well pumps don’t work with the power out, leaving no way to provide water for people or livestock.  Some rural areas lack cell phone service, leaving people with no way to learn about wildfires or other emergencies, unless they have a backup generator. Many residents are also shivering in cold temperatures dipping into the 40s at night, some left without electric heating.


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HOLIDAY SHOW AT VIEJAS

 
East County News Service
 
December 8, 2017 (Alpine) -- Each year, Viejas Outlets in Alpine lights up the night with a holiday spectacular show at the show court.  Guests can enjoy a dazzling display of dancing fountains, lasers, firefworks and a gentle cascade of winter snow, choreographed to holiday music.

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SCHOOL CLOSURES ACROSS REGION TODAY

December 8, 2017 (San Diego) --Due to high winds, smoke and fire danger, many schools and districts will be closed today, including some in East County.  Here are the schools and districts that are shut down today:


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PAW IT FORWARD: DONATE COATS, SWEATERS FOR PETS OF THE HOMELESS

 

Get an extra pet sweater or coat, or donate an old one to County Animal Services’ “Paw It Forward” campaign. These “creature comforts” will go to pets of people experiencing homelessness.


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HOLIDAY LIGHT PARADE, SNOW FESTIVAL DRAWS BIGGER CROWD

 

By Jo Moreland, Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

December 7, 2017 (Alpine) -- “Merry Christmas!”  That cheerful message was shouted often during the “22nd Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival” on Dec. 1 in Alpine.


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NEW YEAR, NEW STATE FEE AT THE COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE

 

By Valerie Watts

December 7, 2017 (San Diego) -- County Recorder’s Office personnel are bracing themselves for effects of a new fee imposed by the State of California.  Beginning January 1, 2018, certain recordable documents will be charged a fee in addition to the usual recording fees to support the Building Homes and Jobs Act, SB 2 - Atkins.


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VACANCY ANNOUNCED ON DEHESA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD

 

East County News Service

December 7, 2017 (Dehesa) - The Dehesa School District is seeking applications from interested residents within the school district’s boundaries to serve as an appointed member of the Governing Board to fill the balance of a four-year term, which would be up for election November 2018.


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GOVERNOR DECLARES EMERGENCY OVER LILAC FIRE IN NORTH COUNTY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

Update December 8, 2017 8:45 a.m.:  Cal Fire reports the fire has burned 65 structures but remains at 4,100 acres. Evacuation orders now extend west to Camp Pendleton.  Four civilian injuries and two firefighter injuries have occurred. 

December 7, 2017 (San Diego) – Governor Jerry Brown has issued an emergency declaration over the Lilac Hills Fire, which has scorched over 4,100 acres in the Fallbrook-Bonsall area. The County has also declared an emergency.

The devastating blaze is burning southwest and is still zero percent contained.  It started at 11:15 a.m. west of I-15 and north of Lilac Road on the Pala Mesa.

By this evening, at least 20 homes have burned, County Emergency Services reports. That includes numerous residences in the Rancho Manserate Country Club community.  An estimated 5,000 more residences are threatened.  Two people suffered burns and have been taken to a hospital.

Dozens of horses have died including many at the San Luis Rey training center, Times of San Diego reports. In Bonsall, numerous horses were let loose, running wildly through billowing smoke, a photo posted by Horses so Fine on Instagram states, adding, “Pray for them.”  Community volunteers have come forward to help save many horses and the Del Mar Fairgrounds has opened facilities for livestock including horses.


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WINDS TOPPLE TREES, TIP OVER TRUCKS

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2017 (San Diego) -- High winds roaring through San Diego County today have wreaked havoc. 

In Carlsbad, a tree fell onto an elderly man and killed him.  Santa Ana winds knocked a semi-truck and trailer onto their sides on I-8 east, shortly before high winds forced closure of I-8 east of Alpine.  A sign truck was nearly blown off the towering Pine Valley Bridge.  In Lakeside the community Christmas tree toppled over; Lakeside's Chamber of Commerce posted a photo on Facebook, vowing to restore it after the winds die down.

Strong winds also led SDG&E to shut off power to thousands of homes in communities across the region, with some slated to be without power for days.


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LILAC FIRE IN FALLBROOK-BONSALL AREA

 

 

Update 4 p.m.  The fire is now 2,000 acres and still 0 percent contained, per Cal Fire. New evacuation orders: South of Hwy 76 West of I-15 Freeway North of Gopher Canyon Rd, East of East Village Way & Mission Rd.

Update 3 p.m.:  Lilac Fire is now 500 acres and 0 percent contained. County Emergency Services warns of "dangerous fires" in North County. EW evacuation warnings are in effect: North of Pala Rd., South of Reche  Rd., West of I-15 Freeway, East of Green Canyon Rd. & W. Mission Rd.  Cal Fire is excercising its option to get military helicopters as well as San Diego Fire & Rescue night-flying helicopters.

For highway closure info check here:  https://www.sigalert.com/map.asp?lat=33.31155&lon=-117.34502&z=1

Three temporary evacaution shelters have been set up at Fallbrook High School, Pechanga Casino and Pala Casino. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is accepting large animals.

Update 1:30 p.m.  The Lilac Fire is now 175 acres, Cal Fire reports.  Two structures have been burned.

December 7, 2017 (Fallbrook) -- The Lilac Fire is burning in North County near the Interstate 15 and State Route 76 junction in the Fallbrook-Bonsall area.  Several southbound lanes on I-15 are shut down due to the fast-moving blaze fueled by 30-40 mph winds.

 
A mobile home park and Sullivan School west of highway 395 have been evacuated.  
 

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RED CROSS OPENS EMERGENCY SHELTERS DUE TO POWER OUTAGES

December 7, 2017 (San Diego) -- The American Red Cross is opening two emergency shelters this morning at 9:00 a.m. in support of residents impacted by power outages. The shelters are in El Cajon and Escondido. ECM has contacted the County to ask why shelters have not been opened in mountain and rural areas, where many of the outages have occurred and ratepayers have been advised power could remain off for up to five days due to the high winds and extreme fire danger.

At this time, SDG&E reports more than 5,000 customers are without power. Extreme fire weather continues in San Diego County today.

Per County Emergency Services, here are the shelter locations:


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SDG&E SHUTS POWER OFF TO 1,326 CUSTOMERS: MAY BE DOWN FOR DAYS

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Tonight SDG&E has shut off power due many areas across East County and North County due to “an extreme weather event with high winds and dry conditions,” according to SDG&E’s website, which warns, “Current conditions indicate that power may remain out for several days before it can be safely restored. If your power is out, please be sure you have adequate emergency supplies on hand for an extended period of time and check here for the most current information on expected restoration times.”

The action comes just days after the California Public Utilities Commission ruled that SDG&E cannot bill ratepayers for its uninsured losses from the 2007 firestorms, when state regulators found its power lines responsible for three major fires.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 

December 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

 

December 6, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.


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SDGE WARNS 170,000 TO BE PREPARED FOR POWER OUTAGES AS HIGH WINDS HIT AREA

Public urged to use caution to avoid infernos like those scorching Los Angeles and Ventura

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Thirdiphoto: Skirball Fire created hellacious conditions that shut down the 405 freeway today near the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

December 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – High winds fueling devastating fires in Los Angeles are set to hit San Diego County tomorrow, with gusts of 70 mph or more in some areas. Currently no fires are burning in San Diego County, though smoke from a fire in Mexico is visible near the border.  But the situation could turn perilous quickly if new fires start.  National Weather Forecaster Alex Tardy says Santa Ana winds could blow a fire in the inland area all the way to the coast.


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GROUPS SLAM ZINKE'S CALL TO SHRINK CASCADE-SISKIYOU

 

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December 6, 2017 (Sacramento) -- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is calling on the president to reduce the size of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, which straddles the California-Oregon border.


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WELLS FARGO FACES INSURANCE LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION

 

Source: California Insurance Commissioner

December 6, 2017 (Sacramento) -- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Insurance, Inc., have been served with an accusation by the California Department of Insurance seeking to suspend or revoke its licenses for alleged improper insurance sales practices related to the company's online insurance referral program, which resulted in insurance products being purchased and paid for by consumers without their knowledge.


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NAVY TO COASTAL COMMISSION: “YOU HAVE NO JURISDICTION” TO DUMP NUCLEAR WASTE AT BEACH

 

East County News Service

December 6, 2017 (San Diego) — New research by Public Watchdogs reveals that the Navy warned the California Coastal Commission four days prior to its vote on October 6, 2015  that  the Commission "lacked the jurisdiction" to grant Southern California Edison a permit to bury nuclear waste just 108 feet from the beach at San Onofre State Beach Park.


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