May 13, 2014 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Insurance announced today that USAA policyholders living in recognized Firewise Communities/USA® sites in California will receive discounts on their homeowners insurance premiums. USAA, which provides a full range of financial products and services to the military community and their families, has been working with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Wildland Fire Operations Division for several years to investigate the possibility of providing incentives for residents of wildfire-prone areas to take steps to create safer, more fire-adapted communities. NFPA’s Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program provided the community action framework and local data that enabled USAA to offer this new discount to policyholders.

Update 10:30 p.m. - All roadsd are now reopened. The fire has burned 850 acres, San Diego Sheriff advises.

Update 8:15 p.m. - Evacuations in this fire have been lifted, the County Emergency website reports.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2014 6:10 p.m.(San Diego)--A fast-burning wildfire has charred an estimated 700 acres and forced evacuation of 20,000 homes in north-central San Diego County,  Ron Lane, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer with the County Fire Authority told advised East County Magazine. 

An evacuation center is open at Rancho Bernardo High School (13010 Paseo Lucido).  An earlier evacuation center at Torrey Pines High School is full.

The blaze, which is 5% contained, is burning west of  I-15. 

Communities that have been evacuated include portions of Torrey Highlands, Rancho Penasqutios, Black Mountain Ranch, Santa Luz Fairbanks Ranch, outer portions of Rancho Santa Fe and Camino Del Sur, according to Cal Fire.

"Currently, the areas of concern include the Communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, San Diego, Black Mountain Ranch, Del Mar, Solana Beach and the areas surrounding the SDG&E 230 KV Power Lines," said Cal Fire Captain Kendal Bortisser.

The fire is under unified command of Cal Fire, San Diego Fire, and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department.

For a full list of areas ordered evacuated, as of late this afternoon, and road closures,  click “read more” and scroll down, where tips on preparing for an approaching wildfire are also posted.

Update: Powerlines are down, however resources are now being released. 

May 13, 2013 (Dulzura) – Cal-Fire and other units have responded to brush fires on Highway 94 in the Dulzura area.  Firefighters are on scene awaiting additional ground support.  High winds and proximity of power lines may limit access.

Some residents in the area are without power, SDG&E reports.  The outage affects Steele Canyon High School and Jamul School as well as the communities of La Presa/ Spring Valley/ Rancho San Diego/ Jamacha/ W Jamul/ Indian Springs/ Dulzura/ Potrero/ Campo/ Jamul/ N Jamul/ Lyons Valley/ Sunnyside/ Otay.

May 13, 2014 (Jacumba) – Tanya Wilkins Aiau snapped this image a 4:45 p.m. on May 5^th of a brush fire near her Jacumba home--a fire that she reported to 911.

“I was just passing the Golden Acorn on east bound I-8 when I saw smoke. I didn't have any cell phone service and couldn't tell exactly where the fire was from that distance,” she said. “When I rounded the corner by the billboard (advertising the Rio Bend RV park) at the West end of Walker Canyon I could see flames. I used a call box to call in the fire; the first firetruck passed me while I was on the phone."

May 10, 2014 (Sacramento) -- California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Member and Chair of the Customer Service and Administrative Efficiency Committee Betty T. Yee will host a telephone town hall on May 13, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. to educate entrepreneurs on their rights and responsibilities as California tax and feepayers. BOE Chairman Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chair Michelle Steel, Board Member George Runner, and State Controller John Chiang are also sponsors of this event who encourage California taxpayers to participate and learn more about their rights.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo by Sid Sowder, courtesy Flicker

Dear EarthTalk: I recently became vegetarian for ethical reasons, but I am missing the taste of meat. Are there any tasty veggie options out there that can satisfy my desire for steak and chicken?    

                                                                                                             -- Missy Jenkins, Pittsburgh, PA

May 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Aside from its brutal treatment of livestock animals, the meat industry is no doubt one of the worst offenders when it comes to the environment. Producing one kilogram of beef requires 150 square meters of land and 15,000 liters of water, most of which is used to grow feed for the animal. That same kilogram generates 27 kilograms of climate-altering carbon dioxide, the equivalent of driving a car more than 100 miles. Indeed, beef has 13 times the carbon emissions of an equivalent amount of vegetable-based protein.

May 9, 2014 (San Diego) – Mylar balloons can make great Mother’s Day and graduation gifts, if they’re kept indoors or securely tied down, but they can also pose a safety hazard.  San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today urged customers to be aware of the dangers that can arise when Mylar balloons touch power lines.

Source: San Diego County Grand Jury

May 10, 2014 (San Diego)--Recent changes in how at-risk youngsters in custody in San Diego County’s six juvenile detention facilities are educated violates state law, according to a report released May 8^th by the San Diego County Grand Jury. The facilities are operated by the San Diego County Probation Department, with the educational component provided by the San Diego County Office of Education.

By Miriam Raftery

May 11, 2014 (Alpine) – A woman has sustained head injuries and is not expected to survive, after somehow exiting a moving truck driven by her boyfriend.  The incident occurred in the 4000 block of Willows Road in Alpine at 2:50 a.m.   The Sheriff’s Homicide unit is investigating the incident.

According to Homicide Lieutenant Glenn Giannantonio, the Sheriff’s Communication Center received a call to investigate the incident. Names of the victim and driver have not been released, though both are adults. 

May 10, 2014 (Alpine) – The brass quintet from the Navy Band Southwest will perform a concert of patriotic music  to honor military heroes on Memorial Day week. The concert will be held on Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m.  in the Alpine Library, 2130 Arnold Way in Alpine.

Originally, a woodwind ensemble was planned, but that was changed to the Navy’s brass quintet. “So, it will be very exciting—and NOISY—for a library program!” librarian Elisabeth Newbold exclaimed.

May 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)- - The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from Sunday through Tuesday night for San Diego County’s mountains and valleys. A red flag warning means high fire danger due to strong winds, low humidities and warm temperatures.

A high pressure system along the west coast will bring much warmer and drier conditions along with gusty Santa Ana winds this week, with strongest winds Monday and Tuesday.

By Janis Russell

April 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Despite windy weather and some rain, the 19^th annual garden tour presented by Friends of East County Arts on April 26 was still held, providing visitors with an array of colorful and fascinating gardens to enjoy.

May 10, 2014 (Julian) – The third annual Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival is slated for May 16 and 17 in Julian, a historic mountain town in San Diego’s East County.   

“We have some awesome films and guest speakers lined up along with some great parties and special events,” promises Nancy Kramer, an organizer of the event.  “We'll introduce you to sports such as Canyoneering (exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping)  surfing on a remote Arctic Island, kayaking over waterfalls, and closer to home...roller-blading along the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach Boardwalk.”  Also watch two women in the field, one who studies whales and dolphins and another who save sloths as their rain forests habitats are clearcut.  Plus she added, “You'll fall in love with a young man who dedicates his time to introducing at-risk kids to the beauty of nature.” 

The third annual festival – which will be held May 16-17 at Julian High School multipurpose room  – is part of a 115-city nationwide tour that showcases award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and indigenous cultures.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2014 (Mount Laguna) -- CAL FIRE investigators have determined that the July 6, 2013 Chariot Fire southwest of Julian was caused by a Jeep Wrangler  owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which ignited the dry vegetation under the vehicle. The CAL FIRE finding confirms allegations previously made by an attorney representing fire victims, who had indicated a private investigation had revealed evidence that a BLM Jeep started the blaze.

The Chariot Fire started just before 1 p.m. in eastern San Diego County near Butterfield Ranch Resort and the Great Southern Overland Stage Route on land managed by the BLM. The fire burned 7,055 acres on both federal and public lands and destroyed 149 structures, including a historic lodge, cabins at the Shrine Camp, and others. Over 2,100 firefighters battled the fire during the 10 days it took to contain the blaze.

By Miriam Raftery

May 8, 2014 (San Diego) – A former SDG&E employee has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company.  Michael Goncalves claims he was fired after speaking out about faulty devices used to check for gas leaks in homes.