Energia Sierra Juarez Substation and Cross-Border Transmission Lines Also Approved in East County

By Miriam Raftery

“This will impede firefighting efforts to a frightening degree…a wind-drive fire is not going to stay in the backcountry. We must not roll the dice…There are other, safer alternatives….I also have serious problems about an energy policy that depends on the stability of Mexico.” –Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who voted against both projects

“I’m opposed to green energy…I don’t think the Department of Energy should be putting subsidies in this….but the state has mandated renewable and we have to comply.” – Supevisor Bill Horn, who voted for both projects

August 9, 2012 (San Diego) – The irony was enormous. San Diego’s Board of Supervisors yesterday spent much of the morning debating whether cell phone towers five feet taller than current ones would mar community character on Mount Helix.  In the afternoon,  three of the five Supervisors then threw county height limits to the winds—voting to approve 500-foot-tall industrial wind turbines in scenic McCain Valley over the objections of numerous backcountry residents.

By a 4-0 vote, Supervisors also approved a power substation and cross-border transmission lines designed to bring power up from the massive Energia Sierra Juarez wind project proposed in Mexico.

Update 9:05 p.m. - 6 airtankers and 6 helicopters have been ordered for first light in the morning.

Update 8:40 p.m. : The Chihuahua Fire is now 900 acres and 0% contained.  There are 31 engines, 12 fire crews, 4 water tenders, and 3 bulldozers and approximately 230 firefighters.  More resources have been ordered, says Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik.

 August 9, 2012 (Warner Springs) – The Chihuahua Fire near Warner Springs has swelled to 275 acres and may soon merge with another blaze, the West Branch Fire, near Santa Ysabel, ECM has learned. 

Update:  3:40:  Cal Fire has cancelled resources not yet at the scene; fires have totalled less than half an acre, per latest estimate.  Two lanes of I-8 east have been reopened, CHP reports.

Update 3:25 p.m.: Multiple small fires are burning on both sides of Alpine Blvd., Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik reports.  The fire is spreading slowly and there are no immediate threats to structures. 

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Revelations that six wildfires in the past six weeks have been caused by recreational shooting in East County has caused a firestorm of controversy.  

Cal-Fire, joined by residents of  Dulzura, Potrero and other areas bordering the Otay Wilderness area have asked the federal Bureau of Land Management to ban shooting on its properties within San Diego County for the duration of this year’s expected severe fire season.  

Update 5:20 p.m.: The fire's forward spread has been stopped at 20 acres, Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik reports. No structures were burned. Proctor Valley Road remains  closed between Chula Vista and Jamul. Echo Way is also closed but should be opened soon. 

July 22, 2012 --  According to CalFire, the forward spread of the Dehesa brush fire at 4700 Dehesa Boulevard has been stopped. The fire is holding at 15 acres. Smoke may still be seen from Crest, and surrounding areas.

July 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A 1,500 fire burning in Mexico is putting up a lot of smoke visible across East County, but poses no current threat to the U.S., Cal-Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told ECM.  

The fire is currently burning southwest of Otay Mountain.  It did cross briefly into the U.S. late today, burning approximately one acre in a creek bed.  “We have one engine out there keeping an eye on it,” Mohler added. 

A brush fire that began near High Street at Buena Vista Avenue in La Mesa tonight briefly threatened homes and sent smoke billowing up that was visible on SR-94.  The fire was quickly doused by Heartland Fire, however High Street is closed for mop-up. 

Update:  As of late last night, the fire was 300 acres and 60% contained.  Training exercises are believed to have caused the blaze, ECM has learned. No structures are threatened.

By Paul Kruze

July 13, 2012 (Spring Valley)--By a unanimous vote by the board of the San Miguel Fire District (SMFD) and a badge pinned on his chest, then sealed with a kiss by his wife, former Division Chief Gary D. Croucher was installed as the District’s newest fire chief on Wednesday evening at the board meeting.

View a video clip of the appointment:  http://vimeo.com/45691689

By Sam Giovanna

East County Magazine’s in-house fire chief

July 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --Following proven safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death from lightning strikes.

Lightning safety tips

The following tips are provided by the American Meteorological Society and the National Lighting Safety Institution.

Update: This fire has been stopped at two acres.

July 12, 2012 (Dulzura)—Cal Fire and San Diego County Fire authority are on the scene of a two-acre grass fire south of Highway 94 near the Border Patrol checkpoint in Dulzura  (TB Map 1313 E2).  The fire is spreading moderately upslope in a south easterly direction.