Wildfire and Emergency News

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Find your home's hazard risks to prepare for an emergency

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 19, 2025 (San Diego) - September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and it is an ideal time to think about the critical preparedness steps could reduce risks and protect you and your family in an emergency.


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Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire

View video  

September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) -- East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began.  The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed by brush igniting in several spots.


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Resources available for residents affected by the Coches Fire

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 14, 2025 (Lakeside) - An online guide is available to help people who lost their home or sustained damages in the Coches Fire. Resources include information for homeowners seeking property tax relief, permits for repairs or rebuilding, along with self-sufficiency resources.


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Heartland Fire & Rescue achieves re-certification as ISO Class 1 department

Source:  Heartland Fire

September 13, 2025 (San Diego) - Heartland Fire & Rescue (HFR) is proud to announce that it has once again been awarded an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This designation is the highest rating possible and places the department among the top fire agencies in the nation for excellence in fire protection and community risk reduction.


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Should more fire districts become part of Cal Fire/County Fire? The Grand Jury thinks so, but San Miguel and Alpine districts hotly contest that finding

By Karen Pearlman

September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The goal is to improve fire protection services.

San Miguel Fire Chief Andy Lawler is pushing back against a narrative that recommends standalone fire districts like his become part of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Alpine Fire also aims to stay independent, while some other districts have already relinquished local control, in most cases voluntarily though one community fought consolidation in court.


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Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners

By Miriam Raftery

Photos and video by Josh Stotler

View video

Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside's Fire Marshal

September 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – Swift action by firefighters including aerial attacks held yesterday’s Coches Fire to 5.3 acres, but the damage was substantial. Five homes were destroyed, including three mobilehomes at the Monterey Mobile Lodge, according to Lakeside Fire Protection District's Fire  Marshal Jeremy Davis, following a walkaround of the burned sites and perimeter areas  Three other homes in the mobilehome park were damaged, and a detached garage also had damage.

Cal Fire Captain Mike Cornette told ECM photographer Josh Stotler that 10 to 15 vehicles wer eburned. There were also two reported civilian injuries, a burn victim and another person who suffered smoke inhalation, said Cornette.

The losses and close calls draw attention to the need to improve safety of mobile homes to protect against wildfires, since even the swiftest possible firefighting response to yesterday's fire could not prevent loss of property--and very nearly human life.

Resident Sharon Edwards has been lauded as an “angel” for rescuing her neighbor, 90-year-old Evelyn Buhl, who is blind and cannot walk.  “I didn’t smell anything … until my neighbor came banging on my house and got me out of here, but that’s the only way,” Buhl said, Times of San DIego reports. “I would still have been in there.”


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CAL FIRE adds water truck to Shelter Valley station

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2025 (Shelter Valley) – The community of Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, is safer today thanks to a new 3,000-gallon water truck just added to Cal Fire’s Station 62 here. 


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STRUCTURE THREAT FROM COCHES FIRE IN LAKESIDE

Update:  At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned.  Planes and helicopters are on scene.  An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack. 

Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino.

September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) -- There is an immediate structure threat from the #CochesFire that started minutes ago on the I-8 business loop east of Las Coches Road, Watch Duty App reports.

An evacuation order has been issued for Zone SDC-1683 on the Genasys Evacuation Map. This zone is also viewable on the Watch Duty map.


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Evacuations in Spring Valley due to fast-moving fire

Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo, right by Henri Migala

September 5, 2025 (Spring Valley ) -- Level 3 "go now" evacuations have been ordered in zone SDC-2153 in Spring Valley due to the fast-moving #LodgeFire, which started near Jamacha Blvd. and Double Tree Road a short time ago.  View the Genasys evacuation map.

The brush fire has charred 30 aces and has potential to burn 200-300 acres, per Cal Fire. Aircraft includng fixed-wing plane and helicopters are battling the blaze along with ground crews; Cal Fire asked people to avoid the area. Two large air tankers have been requested.


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Local agencies tout cooperative firefighting efforts, urge public to help by preparing for wildfires

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Fire officials with an SDG&E Blackhawk helicopter

September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – Firefighting helicopters from multiple agencies were on display during a press conference held Aug. 26 at SDG&E's hangar at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. 

Officials touted aerial assets and cooperative efforts as we enter the highest danger season, though wildfires now occur year-round.

Fire officials urged the public to help prevent fires, keep drones away from fire scenes, and be prepared in case evacuation becomes necessary.


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CAL FIRE joins partners in signing charter to reduce wildfire ignitions in Southern Calif.

Source: CAL FIRE
 
Sept. 3, 2025 (Riverside) --  Earlier today, CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief Mike van Loben Sels signed the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP) charter at the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center in Riverside.
 
The charter marks the launch of a public-private partnership created to reduce human-caused wildfire ignitions, particularly along roadways where nearly two-thirds of Southern California wildfires begin.

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Firefighters rescue workers trapped on roof of burning T.J. Maxx building under construction in La Mesa

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

 

August 25, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Just before 3:30 p.m. , a structure fire broke out in the under-construction building slated to house  T. J. Maxx and an Ulta beauty store on the former site of the Toys “R” Us at 8800 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa.

As the first engines arrived, thick, black smoke and flames could be seen coming from the roof of the structure with stranded construction workers shouting and waving for help.

An employee of a nearby business claimed she “heard a loud explosion” before the fire broke out.


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Does the San Diego region have adequate aerial firefighting capability for the coming fire season?

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- As we approach peak fire season, Cal Fire/County Fire has a press conference set for Tuesday to discuss the many preparations the agencies have made. But questions have been raised over air power readiness, due to temporary closure of the Ramona airport due to expansion and SDG&E losing its Erickson Aircrane that has helped fight fires in recent years.

ECM has researched these issues and obtained the following information:


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Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department's new brush rig

Photo and story by Patrick Ward
 
August 24, 2025 (Santee) - The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed.
 
The cost of the apparatus was $627,000, with a generous grant of $407,000 from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and the San Diego River Conservancy, to help assure the safety of the Santee Community and the broader San Diego County region.

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Santee gets a new brush fire engine

By Mike Allen

Photo: Members of Santee Fire Dept, SD Regional Fire Foundation and the SD River Conservancy with new brush rig funded through the city along with grants from the two nonprofits.

August 11, 2025 (Santee)-- The city of Santee has another key tool in its goal of protecting the city from wildfires, a new brush fire engine.

City officials and the public will get together Aug. 20 for a “push-in” ceremony at Station No. 5 to celebrate the new engine, which was paid mostly from nonprofit grants.

According to the city, the $627,000 fire engine made by HME Inc. was acquired thanks to a $407,000 grant from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, and the San Diego River Conservancy. The remainder came from the city’s general fund.


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Evacuations due to Roadrunner Fire in Boulevard

Update 3:20 p.m.-- Evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted; forward spread has been stopped.

Update 1:30 p.m.-- The fire has been mapped at 88 acres and is now 5% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

 

East County WIldfire and Emergency Alerts

August 8, 2025 -- There is immediate structure threat from the #RoadrunnerFire, a brush fire that began at Roadrunner Lane and Ribbonwood Road. The fire has burned 25 acres and has zero containment.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has issued Evacuation Orders and Warnings for nearby areas, all north of I-8 as of 12:55 p.m.  For an interactive map with updated emergency evacuation information visit: OES Emergency Map

The temporary evacuation point is located at : Golden Acorn Casino (1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo 91906).

An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life.


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Missing girls, age 10, in El Cajon

Update August 1, 2025  --The missing girls have been found,  per ECPD Watch Command.

July 31, 2025 (El Cajon) --  El Cajon Police Dept. is searching for 2 girls, age 10, on pink razor scooters.

They were last seen in the 500 block of East Camden Ave, El Cajon. A helicopter search has thus far not been able to locate the girls as of this evening.

One girl has long black hair & was last seen wearing a black hoodie, light skirt and black Croc shoes. The other has short black hair and was wearing a blue shirt and jeans. 


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Tsunami advisory for West Coast including San Diego after massive 8.8 earthquake

Tsumani could reach Hawaii and Alaska this evening, San Diego shortly after midnight, with risk of more tidal waves due to powerful aftershocks.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Note:  An earlier tsunami watch has been upgraded to a tsunami advisory.

July 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast including San Diego County after , an 8.8 quake, struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula late this afternoon. This is among the 10 strongest quakes ever recorded worldwide. The quake has been upgraded  from earlier estimates.

Aftershocks including a 6.7 quake have also occurred.

The quakes and aftershocks have potential to produce tsunamis, or tidal waves, posing life-threatening danger.

Avoid low-lying coastal areas until the tsunami advisory is lifted.  The earliest a tsunami could reach San Diego County is estimated at around 1:15 a.m. for La Jolla and Oceanside, slightly later in the South Bay and earlier for Northern California, Alaska and Canada.

The advisory extends indefinitely due to powerful aftershocks that produce additional risks. 


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Upgrades to Ramona air attack base planned for new Cal Fire tanker

By Paul Levikow

Creative Commons image of  C-130H air tanker

July 24, 2025 (Ramona) – Enhanced wildfire response capabilities are coming to Southern California, after CAL FIRE announced a significant construction project at the Ramona Air Attack Base that will prepare for a new tanker to be based there.

Construction is tentatively set to begin Aug. 1 and take 8-12 months to complete, according to a news release from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s San Diego Unit.

“The project is a crucial step in preparing the base to accommodate one of CAL FIRE’s new C-130H air tankers, dramatically enhancing the agency’s wildfire response capabilities in Southern California,” the news release said. The tanker will be added to CAL FIRE’s current resources of three aircraft, one air attack platform and two air tankers that are currently based in Ramona.


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Crest Fire Station 18 construction is on time and on budget, according to San Miguel Fire & Rescue officials

By Paul Levikow

Image, left: rendering of future Fire State 18

July 17, 2025 (Crest) – San Miguel Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Tobin Riley appeared before the Crest Community Association Thursday to provide an update on construction of Fire Station 18 on the corner of Suncrest Boulevard and North Lane. The update was provided after Facebook posts by concerned residents wondered why the lot has been sitting empty for so long.

“Perception is reality, people drive by, they see the dirt lot not moving and they have the right to ask questions,” Riley said. “The station is being built in phases.”


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Multi-vehicle crash kills five, led to brush fire that closed State Route 67 both directions



East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

Update: The Medical Examiner’s office has identified four of the victims: Emmanuel Rivera Abarca, 32, driver of one of two pickup trucks that collided,  Marcial Rivera Solorio, 59, a passenger,  and Roberto Martinez Oros, 68, of  Ramona, driver of a sedan that collided with the pickup trucks.

July 18, 2025 (Poway) -- Highway 67 was closed in both directions Friday, July 18, after a fatal crash involving three vehicles started a brush fire south of Poway Road near Iron Mountain.

 

Cal Fire reported that the vehicles involved in the crash caught fire just at about 12:45 p.m., and the fire then spread through the vegetation.
 
San Diego County Sheriff's Department reported that the fire started after a serious injury collision north of the intersection of State Route 67 and Iron Mountain Drive, in the city of Poway.

Upon arrival, deputies from the Poway Sheriff's station learned a three-vehicle collision occurred near the intersection, which sent one vehicle into the ravine, which started the brush fire.


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Suncrest Truck Trail Not a Viable Option for Fire Evacuation Route in Crest, According to Fire Officials

Fire officials announce other upgrades in fire protection for Crest

By Paul Levikow

July 14, 2025 (Crest) – For years, Crest residents have asked the County to create an additional evacuation route on Suncrest Truck Trail to protect residents in the rural community that was devasted in the 2003 Cedar Fire.  In response to a reader’s request, ECM looked into the matter. 

While officials from the County and Cal Fire say Suncrest Truck Trail is not a viable option for several reasons, many other steps are being taken to improve fire safety for Crest.


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Springs Fire Sparks Evacuations in Jamul

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update July 11, 2025 8:30 a.m.-- The Springs Fire has been held to 50 acres and is now 20% contained, per Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Cause of the Springs Fire was a vehicle with a malfunctioning catalytic converter, per Cal Fire.

July 10, 2025 (Jamul) -- Three small brush fires being called the #SpringsFire are burning near Lyons Valley Road and Honey Springs Road in the Lawson Valley area of Jamul. Th wildfire has burned 49.9 acres and is 10% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued.

View a map with updated evacuation areas at the Genasys Protect site.

A temporary evacuation site is at Regal Edwards Cinemas, 2951 Jamacha Road, El Cajon

The fire is under unified command with Cal Fire and Cleveland National Forest.

Forward spread on one of the fires has been halted, but the other two have merged,per Cal Fire.


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Evacuations Lifted in Steele Fire; Drone Hampered Firefighters

Update:  All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.

Story, videos and photos by Josh Stotler

View videos: https://youtu.be/usGRn-FQPg0   and https://youtu.be/2vITCTQMPl4

July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters have held the #SteeleFire to 28 acres. As of this evening, the fire is 25% contained, with no structures lost, according to Cal Fire, despite interference by a drone temporarily pausing aerial firefighting. 

Evacuation warnings have been lifted along with most evacuation orders, though an evacuation order remains for zone  SDC-2098-B.  For the latest evacuation updates, visit  Genasys Protect Evacuation Map.


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Over 4,700 Under Evacuation Orders from Steele Fire

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Steele Fire has prompted evacuations of over 4,700 residents in Jamul and Rancho San Diego due to structure threast.  The fire began on Star Acres Drive in Rancho San Diego View map of areas under evacuation orders or warnings.

Evacuees can go to Steele Canyon High School.  


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MAN ARRESTED FOR SETTING TRASHCAN FIRE IN SANTEE

East County News Service

June 30, 2025 (Santee) -- Sheriff's Deputies and Santee Fire personnel responded to a report of a fire near the Walmart on Town Center Parkway in Santee around 6:32 p.m. on June 28. As deputies were driving to the location, a second witness called Sheriff's Dispatch and reported they watched a man set fire to contents of a trashcan just outside the Walmart parking lot.

Deputies arrived on scene and detained the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Ryan Crist, says Lieutenant Thomas Fletcher.


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INTERVIEW WITH CAL FIRE CAPTAIN ON MONTE FIRE

June 22, 2025 (Lakeside) -- Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson discusses firefighting efforts in the Monte Fire in Lakeside, during an interview yesterday with Shiloh Ireland.  

View video.  


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: LAKESIDE RESIDENTS THANK FIREFIGHTERS

East County News Service

June 23, 2025 -- Photographer Shiloh Ireland provided this video of Lakeside residents Sarah Ann WIlson and BIlly Ortiz unfurling a banner to thank firefighters who worked tirelessly to protect homes and halt the Monte Fire in Lakeside's El Monte Valley.

View video:  Monte Fire Appreciation to Firefighters- 06/21/2025 

Also see Ireland's drone video showing the scope of damage:  Monte Fire Lakeside, California 


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INVESTIGATION INTO CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE IN RAMONA THAT DAMAGED THREE PROPERTIES

East County News Service

June 19, 2025 (Ramona) – An abandoned home in the 1600 block of Casteel Lane, Ramona caught fire around 6 p.m. yesterday, quickly spreading to two neighboring properties.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the home as well as outbuildings, fences and brush on adjacent properties.


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