By Miriam Raftery

October 6, 2016 (Potrero)—Supervisor Dianne Jacob convened a meeting at the Potrero Library on September 27^th ,  where officials from Cal Fire, the Sheriff’s department,County Animal Services and the Office of Emergency Services responded to concerns raised by residents during the Border Fire.

Verizon, AT&T and SDG&E were also on hand with information on communications issues and power outages.

CAL-FIRE ISSUES WARNING TO DRONE OPERATORS, UPDATES ON FIRES

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2015 (San Diego)—With wildfires raging across California, an unmanned hobby drone interfered with firefighting aerial drops yesterday on the Sterling Fire in San Bernadino Fire.  According to CAL-FIRE Captain Kendal Bortisser, this is the second time in two days that a drone has halted air drops. The near-misses have prompted CAL-FIRE to issue this stern warning to hobby drone users: “If you fly, we can’t!”

June 29, 2013 (San Diego) – One out of every four fires is started by arson, according to Cal-Fire. When an arsonist sets a fire, everyone pays. Arson fires destroy homes, businesses, communities, forests, wilderness and lives. They cost our community considerably in fire losses, firefighting expenses and higher insurance premiums. They also tie up fire crews and equipment needlessly.

By Nadin Abbott, photos Tom Abbott

March 12, 2013 (San Diego)—Today, Supervisor Dianne Jacob urged citizens in San Diego County to contact the Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA) at Closurecomments@FAA.GOV  and oppose closure of the Ramona Airport’s air traffic control tower, a vital component in fighting wildfires and protecting safety of firefighting crews. Tomorrow at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard Time is the deadline for comments.

 The Board learned that the Federal Aviation Administration has targeted the Ramona Air Traffic Control Tower for closure as as early as April 7. This means, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Ray Cheney, that the airport would revert back to an “uncontrolled airport, where pilots have to avoid each other and announce their intentions.”  

This was the way it was back on June 21, 1995 when there was a midair collision between a United States Forest Service Beechcraft and an NTSB air tanker, leading to the deaths of the air tanker crew. An open space, instead of a controlled space, will increase the risk of mid-air collisions, since a “controlled airport controls the air traffic sequencing.”

Update 3:50 pm. The highway is expected to reopen by 6 p.m., starting with one-way traffic.  Traffic is being diverted up Old Highway 80 over the Sunrise Highway currently.

Update:  2:25 p.m.  These fires have been held to a total of 12 acres; air tankers are being dismissed. Fire is contained but not yet out; no structures were lost.

May 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A border fire in Jewell Valley that has been burning for several days is now 100% contained.  However a new fire erupted this afternoon on Marron Valley Road near Dulzura.  The new fire, known as Border Fire #7, is now 70% contained and its spread has been stopped, according to Cal-Fire.

Border Fire #7 has burned about 25 acres in the U.S. and 15 in Mexico.  The Incident Commander has released three fire crews and all air-tankers assigned.

May 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) plans to hold a special meeting this Wednesday to receive public input on draft regulations as part of ABX1 29, better known as the $150 annual parcel tax or "triple" fire tax for properties within the state’s area of responsibility. 

The meeting will be held this Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors chamber at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego. 

April 9, 2012 (La Mesa) – The San Miguel Fire Protection District will host a community meeting from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on April 17 at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa.  The meeting will provide residents a State of the District presentation and discuss the Request for Proposal submission from CAL FIRE for the outsourcing of the district’s fire protection. 

December 4, 2011 (El Cajon ) – A home and barn used for storage at 5237 Dehesa Road in the unincorporated area of El Cajon were destroyed by fire this morning.

Leonard Villareal, spokesman for San Miguel Fire Department, said the November 1st elimination of the fire engine at the Department’s Dehesa station was “not a factor in this case."

October 15, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Cal-Fire has cancelled the no-burn proclamation ordered earlier in the week for areas under state fire jurisdiction in San Diego and Imperial Counties.  The ban on open burning has been lifted due to improvement in weather conditions including increased humidity and moisture content.  

Update 4:45 p.m.  The Tierra del Sol fire is 40% contained at 3 acres. There has been structure damage, according to Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler. Forward spread has been stopped.

Update 4:30 p.m.  Incident Page Network reports "many homes threatened."  CHP site indicates reverse 911 calls are being considered though no evacuations have yet been ordered.

July 25, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Cal Fire is asking for your help in identifying suspected arsonists.

If you see a fire start, report it and remember everything you saw, Cal Fire advises. Make note of any suspicious vehicles or persons. The information you have, no matter how minor, could be the key to stopping the arsonist.

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is combating 100-acre fire in the remote “Tin Can” area in Mexico, east of the Otay port of entry and just south of the border fence.

“We currently have 3 engines, 2 air tankers, 1 air attack and 1 helicopter,” Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler said. “Aircraft and crews are pre-treating areas along the fence.”

July 6, 2011 (McCain Valley) – Cal-Fire and the San Diego County Fire Authority have announced cancellation of plans to conduct controlled brush fire training tomorrow, July 7,  the McCain Valley area of East County. Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler advises.

June 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – One of the nation’s only DC-10 very large Airtankers has been deployed from California to assist in fighting the raging wildland fire in Arizona. The request was made yesterday by the U.S. Forest Service. The aircraft, Tanker 911, took off this morning from its base in Victorville.