|
|
|
Okay, I live in San Diego, CA, and there are like 10 blazes right now. I'm closest to the Witch Creek Fire, and the winds are blowing it in my direction. I also live RIGHT smack dab between the city of Poway and 4S Ranch(Forrest). Here's the total news from the San Diego Union Tribune website:&http://signonsandiego.com&, which I will update every time I can.
Oct 21, 2007:
Advisory evacuation north of Route 78
10:37 p.m.SAN DIEGO – An advisory evacuation was issued for residents north of state Route 78 south of the Cleveland National Forest, just east of Black Canyon Road and Magnolia just west of Pine. Evacuees can go to Poway High School.
Mandatory evacuation for Barrett Junction
10:36 p.m.
The Sheriff's Department has issued mandatory evacuations along Highway 94 for residents in Barrett Junction, Engineer Springs, Dulzura and all areas in between due to the Harris Fire, according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
The evacuation center is Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road in Spring Valley.
Wildcat Canyon Road under mandatory evacuation
10:38 p.m.
SAN DIEGO – Wildcat Canyon Road from San Vicente Road to Willow Road is under mandatory evacuation. Evacuees are being sent to Poway High School at 15500 Espola Road or Escondido High School at 1535 North Broadway or a temporary shelter at Santana High School, 9915 North Magnolia.
All schools in the Ramona and Poway Unified School Districts will be closed Monday.
Residents should call 211 for all non-emergency calls related to the Witch fire.
Fire possibly headed toward San Pasqual Valley
10:58 p.m.
Mayor Jerry Sanders will be holding a news conference at 11 p.m. at Steele Canyon High School to discuss the possibility of the fire entering San Pasqual Valley during the early morning hours.
Fire Chief Tracy Jarman and Assistant Police Chief Bill Maheu will also be there.
Steele Canyon High School classes canceled
10:58 p.m.
Steele Canyon High School classes are cancelled on Monday. The staff at the school has been asked to assist with evacuees if they have not been personally affected by the Harris fire, officials said.
San Diego schools open Monday
10:58 p.m.
All San Diego Unified School District schools will be open except for Camp Palomar on Palomar Mountain on Monday.
School principals throughout the district are being asked to limit the amount of student's physical activity because of smoke from the fires, officials said
Camp Palomar, the outdoor school visited by sixth graders in the district, won't be open because roads leading to the camp are closed because of the fire, said Jack Brandais, a district spokesman.
Classes will be held during the normal school hours.
Parents are also being urged to make sure the school has current contact information.
Witch fire evacuation center moved
11:00 p.m.
More than 100 people and three dozen small animals were told to leave Poway High School, which served as an evacuation center all day, at about 10:40 p.m. The new evacuation center is Mira Mesa High School.
Harris fire update
11:01 p.m.
A mandatory evacuation was issued along state Route 94 for residents of the following communities: Barrett Junction, Engineer Springs, Dulzura and all areas in between.
The evacuation center is Steele Canyon High School 12440 Campo Road in Jamul.
All San Diego County courts will be closed Monday.
Sheriff's deputies normally assigned to the courts are assigned to the fire.
The following schools are closed Monday:
Jamul-Dulzura Union, Ramona and Poway Unified School Districts.
Dehesa Charter School in Escondido.
Palomar Mountain Elementary School in Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District.
Governor declares state of emergency
11:25 p.m.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura due to the 11 major wildfires burning throughout Southern California.
More than 30,000 acres have burned and more areas are threatened, officials in the governor's office said.
The governor's proclamation allows the state Office of Emergency Services to send personnel, equipment and facilities to provide local government help under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
American Red Cross shelter locations
11:07 p.m.
The American Red Cross has changed the location of its shelter for residents evacuated from the Witch Creek/Highway 78 wildfire now affecting Ramona and Poway.
THE NEW LOCATION IS Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Road (off Mira Mesa Boulevard). The Poway High School shelter is CLOSED. An additional shelter has also been opened at Escondido High School, 1535 North Broadway (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1109, H-6)
For residents in East County affected by the Harris Fire, shelters remain at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1272, B-7); and the Campo Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, Campo.
Approximately 200 shelter residents were served dinner at Steele Canyon, and people continue to arrive. The Campo Center reports "a handful" of residents at this time.
These facilities will remain open as long as there is a need. Residents will be provided a safe place to stay, drinks and meals, and basic health services. The Red Cross will remain on site and provide lodging there tonight. If additional shelters are requested by emergency responders, the Red Cross is prepared to open them in safe locations as necessary.
Residents with large animals are instructed to take them to the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, located at Highway 67 and Mapleview Street, OR the San Diego County Fairgrounds in Del Mar.
Residents are urged to place their household pets in carriers or crates plus supplies such as food and leashes if they are brought to Red Cross shelters. Bring all necessary daily medications, supplies for your children, and any other critically needed items for the next 24 to 72 hours with you to the shelter.
The Red Cross advises all residents to heed any evacuation orders immediately.
For additional information about resources, please call 211 San Diego. Dial 211, or 1-858-300-1211.
County Ramona fire update
11:37 p.m.
Four North County Transit buses are en route to Ramona to assist evacuees in need of transportation assistance. The Sheriff's Department is coordinating the effort.
Five county probation vehicles have been dispatched to assist clients at the Poway High School shelter as they are moved to Mira Mesa High School at 10510 Reagan Road in San Diego.
County releases perimeter map for Ramona fire
11:41 p.m.
The county has released a PDF perimeter map of the Witch fire, which includes Ramona. The map can be accessed here: &http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/images/071021-2245-witchfiremap.pdf&
County releases perimeter map for Potrero fire
11:41 p.m.
The county has released a PDF perimeter map of the Harris Fire, which includes Potrero. The map can be accessed here: &http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/071021harrisfireperimetermap.pdf&
Oct 22, 2007:
Sanders, Jarman describe San Pasqual Valley threat
12:12 a.m.
As many as 250 homes in the San Diego region of the San Pasqual Valley were under mandatory evacuation.
Fire officials said in an 11 p.m. news conference that they fear the fire will spread into the region by 2 a.m.
"This is a very quickly evolving situation," said Mayor Jerry Sanders.
Fire Chief Tracy Jarman said the Witch fire has two heads. One head is moving south toward Poway. It is moving slower than the northern head which is spreading toward San Pasqual Valley outside Escondido.
Brian Maienschein said the valley has green brush and officials are hoping that it will help slow the progression of the fire
Jarman said winds are very strong. And "it's causing the fire to move quicker than we anticipated."
Officials have requested 100 strike teams from outside the area to help battle the flames.
Residents were urged to use caution, listen to police officers, obey their orders and not panic.
At least 350 evacuees were registered at Steele Canyon High School in Jamul. Evacuees were being calmed by volunteers who gave them chocolate cakes, water and Tylenol.
In one corner, several evacuees gathered around a television to get information on the fire and their homes. Dozens others slept on cots in the school's gymnasium.
San Diego residents who want information on evacuation centers can call (619) 570-1070.
Witch Fire No. 1 priority for state
12:17 a.m.
The Witch Fire has been designated the No. 1 priority in the state because the quick-moving blaze has split into two heads, San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman told TV reporters. Wind gusts up to 70 mph are carrying the blaze toward the San Pasqual Valley and down state Route 52 south of Poway.
Road closure, restrictions update
12:40 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol reports that state Route 94 is closed between Otay Lakes Road and Forest Gate Road until further notice.
San Diego police are escorting traffic westbound on state Route 78 out of Ramona. The CHP is escorting all four lanes of state Route 67 southbound from Ramona to Poway Road.
Barona Casino defies evacuation order
12:41 a.m.
Sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said Barona Casino was told to evacuate as part of a mandatory evacuation order given earlier Sunday night for Wildcat Canyon Road.
"They said they would 'shelter in place' and did not evacuate," Brust said.
The casino was not under lockdown and patrons could leave if they chose, he said.
No classes held in some Escondido schools
12:42 a.m.
Bear Valley Middle School and L.R. Green Elementary School in Escondido are closed Monday.
Animals rescued from Witch Fire
12:56 a.m.
Emergency Animal Rescue set up an evacuation area at a ranch near Highland Valley Road and state Route 67 in Ramona.
They have more than 100 horses there plus cats, dogs, cows and other livestock.
They've been responding to ranches and calls for evacuations from owners. As late as 8 p.m. Volunteers rescued a horse from a ranch where the house across the street was already in flames on Ramona Trails Road.
The horse, named Big Mike, was loose in the corral. He was panicked, running in circles.
Doug Lake, the executive director of the rescue organization, calmed Big Mike down and got him into the horse trailer as flames surrounded the land near the corral.
Rescue volunteers plan to keep the animals at the ranch until their owners can claim them.
Fire erupts in Descanso Valley
1:40 a.m.
A fire broke out in the Descanso Valley area near Interstate 8 and is burning 200 acres. Firefighters are just starting to get to that blaze, said Michael Workman, a spokesman for the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
The exact time the fire broke out is not known. Firefighters don't know which direction the fire is burning because they are just getting there, Workman said.
There are no evacuation orders in place. The area is not densely populated, he said.
Firefighters battling new fires
2:03 a.m.
A third fire that broke out in Descanso Valley is threatening the Viejas Reservation and could be there by daybreak, officials said. Other areas potentially affected were Eagle and Boulder Creek. The fire has burned about 200 acres.
Meanwhile, firefighters were battling a fourth fire that started in Guajito, about 1½ miles east of the Wild Animal Park in the San Pasqual Valley. A firefighter spotted that blaze. There was no acreage information on that fire.
Fifth fire burning, threatens homes near San Marcos
2:34 a.m.
A fifth fire has started and is burning near Cal State San Marcos. Firefighters are just getting to the fire, which was reported by several people just before 1:50 a.m. The size of the fire is not known, a fire dispatcher said. There are no orders of evacuations at this time, but residents in the area are leaving and dispatchers are getting mutliple calls from people reporting the fire.
Authorities have also issued mandatory evacuations for the San Pasqual Valley area, Guejito, Wild Animal Park area and Bandy Canyon areas.
Fire officials said a transformer exploded near state Route 78 and Bandy Canyon Road, four miles east of the Wild Animal Park. The acreage of this fire is not yet confirmed. A spokeswoman with the Wild Animal Park said animals that have been trained to enter and exit crates that were in the perimeter of the park have been moved to the park's hospital for their protection.
Firefighters said the winds have picked up and were expected to stay strong and gusting at 65 mph until the morning.
San Marcos fire
2:54 a.m.
The San Marcos fire was first reported at 1:58 a.m. at 100 Washingtonian Drive.
The Sheriff's Department will being doing reverse 911 calls for the area, said Sheriff's Lt. Hope Andrews. An evacuation center is set up at Escondido High School at 1531 N. Broadway in Escondido.
The fire has burned some 100 acres. Andrews said that a sheriff's deputy reported the hillside at Washingtonia to be fully engulfed.
Southeast Escondido residents told to evacuate
2:55 a.m.
An estimated 2,000 residents of Southeast Escondido have been told evacuate.
The following communities were notified by the reverse 911 system: Rancho Vista Monte, Rancho San Pasqual, Sierra Linda and Sonata.
Evacuees can go to Escondido High School at 1531 N. Broadway.
Fire in Fallbrook; Witch Fire reaches S.D. city limits
3:03 a.m.
A new fire is being reported at East Mission Road and Davis Drive in Fallbrook, fire officials said. The blaze was just reported and there is no information on the fire at this time, fire officials said.
Meanwhile, authorities said the Witch Fire has reached the San Diego city limits.
20,000 customers without power
4:04 a.m.
SDG&E reports dozens of power outages throughout the county, affecting some 20,000 customers.
In Fallbrook and northeast Fallbrook, 1,724 customers were without power, In Ramona 1,160. In Del Mar, Torrey Pines and at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club there were 1,790 without power.
There were also several smaller outages all over the county, in Poway, Green Valley, East Ramona, La Jolla Indian Reservation, Mesa Grande, Santa Ysabel, Viejas, East Descanso, Boulder Creek, Dulzura, Campo, Potrero, Guatay, Pine Valley, Mount Laguna, Live Oak Springs, Jacumba and Boulevard. Numbers ranged from a few dozen to 1,000 customers without power.
Wind and wildfires were blamed for the outages.
New evacuations ordered
4:06 a.m.
Fire officials say the north head of the Witch Fire is moving near Grangeland and the other head of the fire is moving south toward Eagle Peak. Firefighters are predicting this could follow the same route of the Cedar Fire which was in the San Diego River watershed area and could end up spreading near Miramar.
San Diego officials have ordered the evacuation of northeast Rancho Bernardo. The north end of Poway that overlooks Lake Hodges is also under mandatory evacuation. The Southerstone area near Barona, El Monte Valley to Wildcat Canyon Road in the lakeside area are all being evacuated as well as the area near the El Capitan Reservoir.
Mount Woodson and Archie Moore areas are also under evacuation orders, as is the Highland Valley area near Ramona.
Additional firefighters are beginning to arrive.
Winds in 60 mph range, to continue
4:10 a.m.
Greg Martin, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, says Potrero has had the strongest wind gusts, reaching up to 69 mph. Over the last four hours, the gusts moved up into the 60 mph range. The prediction is that the strong winds will continue through the morning, peaking at 70 to 75 mph in the mountain areas. The winds are expected to decrease in the afternoon.
Fire update from county emergency office
4:21 a.m.
The following information has just been sent out by the San Diego County Office of Emergency Service.
-San Pasqual Valley Fire: The fire in the San Pasqual Valley area is coming close to the Wild Animal Park. According to the Sheriff's Department, a transformer exploded near the area of Hwy 78 and Bandy Canyon Road, 4 miles east of Wild Animal Park. At this time, the acreage has not been confirmed and there is no word on animals being evacuated at this time.
-Coronado Hills/San Marcos: The San Marcos Fire Department says reverse 911 calls were sent out to 4,062 residents in the community of Discovery Hills and the Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at Escondido High School. There are reports of structures burning and more than 200 acres have burned, threatening structures in the Coronado Hills area near California State University at San Marcos.
-Mission Fire/Fallbrook: A new fire is being reported at East Mission Rd. and Davis Dr. No further details are available at this time.
-Descanso Fire: According to Cal Fire a fire has broken out in the Descanso Valley area near Interstate 8. It has burned 200 acres. No further details are available at this time.
-Witch Fire: The Witch Fire continues to burn significantly toward the west in the direction of the San Pasqual Valley Fire and officials are concerned that the fires will merge.
-Harris Fire: The Harris Fire also continues to burn to the west.
-McCoy Fire: There are 60 acres burning in a remote area in the Cleveland National Forest near Eagle Peak.
Interstate 15 closed
4:24 a.m.
Authorities are closing Interstate 15 from Rancho Bernardo Road to Via Rancho Parkway.
Firefighters plan to try to stop the fire from crossing the interstate. The freeway will remain closed until further notice.
Guejito Fire jumps Santa Ysabel Creek
4:39 a.m.
The fire that started near the Wild Animal Park, now known as the Guejito Fire, has jumped Santa Ysabel Creek and is approaching the Sierra Linda neighborhood. It also jumped state Route 78 and is approaching Rancho San Pasqual.
Residents in those area should evacuate immediately.
It is expected the fire will jump Interstate 15, so evacuation also has begun for the Lomas Serenas and Via Loma Vista neighborhoods west of I-15 and Del Dios in unincorporated Escondido.
Residents are advised to go to the evacuation center at Escondido High School at 1535 N. Broadway.
Officials said high schools in Escondido will be closed Monday, including Escondido High School, Orange Glen High School, San Pasqual High School, and Valley High School.
Poway declares local emergency
5:10 a.m.
The city of Poway has declared a local emergency and activated the local Emergency Operations Center. The Witch Fire has expanded to the northeast section of the city.
All residents east of Espola Road From Lake Poway Road through Valle Verde Road have been asked to evacuate immediately. This includes the High Valley, Bridlewood Country Estates, Stoneridge, Heritage, Old Coach and Old Winery neighborhoods. Residents are being notified by telephone through the reverse 911 system.
The city has posted emergency information online at http://poway.org. An emergency shelter has been established at the Poway Community Center, at 13094 Civic Center Drive.
Large animals can be taken to the Poway Valley Riders Association Arena, also known as the Poway Rodeo Grounds, at the corner of Tierra Bonita Road and Poway Valley Road.
All schools in the Poway Unified School District will be closed Monday. We are encouraging all residents not being asked to evacuate to stay inside with their air conditioner running. All Disaster Service workers are asked to report as directed.
Coronado Hills (San Marcos) fire update
5:21 a.m.
A brush fire in the community of Coronado Hills in the southwest part of the city started around 1:50 a.m. and is burning south toward San Elijo Hills, a master-planned community, said Jenny Peterson, the city's spokeswoman. The cause is unknown.
At around 3:30 a.m. a mandatory evacuation was issued in Coronado Hills, San Elijo Hills and Discovery Hills. Residents have been evacuated to Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, she said.
Peterson said the fire is now about 250 acres and is 5 percent contained. She said there were 80 fire personnel from local fire departments and 25 engines are on scene.
No structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported, Peterson said.
San Marcos Unified School District and California State University San Marcos have canceled classes for Monday, Peterson said.
Guejito Fire, Witch Creek Fire merge
5:25 a.m.
The previous Guejito Fire, near the Wild Animal Park, is now considered part of the Witch Creek Fire, and multiple emergency agencies have created a unified command.
Escondido Fire Chief Vic Reed says it is critical that everyone in the Via Loma Vista area evacuate.
"Absolutely, positively, pay attention to the evacuation orders," Reed said.
Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch evacuations
5:41 a.m.
Rancho Santa Fe and northern 4S Ranch areas have been issued mandatory evacuations.
There are reports of injuries related to the Witch Fire but information on those hurt was not immediately available.
Fire officials are urging residents to evacuate immediately if authorities say it's time to leave.
Del Dios evacuation
5:45 a.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been called for in the Del Dios area, the San Diego Sheriff's Department reports.
Interstate 15 closed
5:59 a.m.
Interstate 15 is closed in both directions from state Route 78 to Ted Williams Parkway/state Route 56, the California Highway Patrol says.
Fire burning in Rainbow
6:02 a.m.
A fire is burning in Rainbow, Sheriff's Department officials say.
Residents in the 1500 block of Rainbow Heights Drive and and Rainbow Crest Road are being asked to evacuate, said Sheriff's Lt. Mike McClain. Reverse 911 calls are being made to the area.
The fire was first reported at 4:15 a.m. and started out small but spread rapidly, McClain said.
Two firefighters hurt; homes lost; Witch Fire now 10,000 acres
6:13 a.m.
One volunteer firefighter from the Inter Mountain Fire District and a firefighter with the Julian Fire Department were hurt and taken to hospitals.
Both are considered to be in good condition. Fire officials are trying to determine how they got hurt.
Homes have been lost in Escondido in the Sierra Linda and Sonata areas. The number of structures lost is not known at this time.
Firefighters estimate the Witch Fire has spread to 10,000 acres.
Huge swath of evacuations west to I-5
6:24 a.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for a huge swath totaling 100 square miles and ranging from Interstate 5 on the west across Interstate 15 to the east, and north from state Route 56 to Lake Hodges, said San Diego fire department spokesman Maurice Luque.
Flames penetrated Rancho Bernardo from the northeast beginning around 3:30 a.m., and have jumped Interstate 15 at Carmel Valley Road, Luque said.
An undetermined number of homes are burning and there are reports of people trapped in their homes and cars, Luque said.
The flames are threatening to burn into Rancho Santa Fe, Luque said.
Residents can seek shelter at any of the designated high schools or Qualcomm Stadium, Luque said.
A force of 240 firefighters with 60 engines are trying to stop the blaze from advancing farther through the area. Ambulances are in the area to help the elderly and ill who cannot evacuate themselves, he said.
*I evacuated now. I'm safe, but it's still pretty dangerous, but my house is in danger.
Limited court services available Monday
6:47 a.m.
The courts will be open for a limited time Monday morning for those who have business at the court such as filing paperwork. There will be no cases heard, officials said. All court employees are expected to report to work.
San Diego police officers ordered on duty
6:50 a.m.
All scheduled graveyard San Diego police officers have been ordered to report to their commands at 6 p.m. Monday. All on-duty and off-duty investigators are ordered to report to Room 213 at headquarters – in uniform, with vests.
23,000 without power
6:55 a.m.
Power outages totaling more than 23,000 customers have occurred throughout communities in North and East County.
Affected areas include Fallbrook, Escondido, San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Julian, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Rainbow, Poway, Encinitas, Cardiff By the Sea, Olivenhain, Del Mar, Valley Center, Jamul, Dulzera, Potrero and Alpine, according to SDG&E.
For a map of outages and expected restoration times on the SDG&E Web site, go to <http://outages.sdge.com/
publicOutageWeb/servlet/OutageMap>
American Red Cross shelter locations
7:02 a.m.
-Escondido High School, 1535 North Broadway
-Santana High School, 9915 Magnolia Avenue, Santee
-Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Road (off Mira Mesa Boulevard).
-Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley
-Campo Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, Campo
-Poway High School shelter is CLOSED.
Boundaries on western mandatory evacuation area
7:09 a.m.
According to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders: Everyone north of state Route 56, south of Del Dios Highway, west of Interstate 15 and east of Interstate 5 should evacuate. Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley is opening as an evacuation center.
San Diego Superior Court closed
7:20 a.m.
Superior Court is closed. All court employees are advised not to report to work today.
Fire total: 18,000 acres burning
7:25 a.m.
The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services reports there are some 18,000 acres of San Diego County burning right now. That includes the areas burning in the city of San Diego, officials said.
The fires are zero percent contained.
Avoid non-essential travel, officials urge
7:31 a.m.
Emergency officials are urging people to avoid using major highways within the county today. The roadways need to remain clear for evacuations.
Officials also ask that people keep their cell phone use to a minimum to keep lines open for emergency officials to communicate.
County spokeswoman Lesley Kirk says if you do not need to be on the road then please do not drive. She also advises people to check with their employers before they go to work today to make sure they still need to come in.
Six Escondido houses burn
7:35 a.m.
Six houses in southern Escondido have been lost to the Witch Creek Fire and two others have been damaged. Homes continue to be at risk in that area, Escondido fire officials say.
New advisory evacuations in Poway area
8:19 a.m.
Advisory evacuations have been ordered for Poway in the area bordered by Pomerado Rd. on the west, Espola Rd., on the north and east, and Twin Peaks on the south.
Evacuation points have been established at San Marcos High School at 1615 W. San Marcos Blvd. and Poway Civic Center at 13325 Civic Center Drive. San Marcos Mission Hills High School is full. Poway High School is closed to evacuees.
The San Marcos Office of the Treasurer Tax Collector and Assessor Recorder is closed today.
Additional School Closures:
California College is closed for today.
Residents should call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls related to this fire. Due to large call volume, residents are also urged to find fire information online at www.211SanDiego.org Residents may also call the City of San Diego Community Access Phone at 619-570-1070 for additional fire information.
Latest evacuation notices
8:32 a.m.
Here are the latest evacuation notices. Over 30,000 Reverse 911 calls have gone out.
-Coronado Hills Fire (in San Marcos): Notifications made to 1,000 residents in the communities of Coronado Hills and Discovery Hills in San Marcos and to Attebury Rd. and Deadwood Rd. They were evacuated to Escondido High School.
-Mission (Fallbrook) Fire: Notifications made to Rainbow Area residents (I-15 on west, Rainbow Valley on the north, Pala Temecula on the East and Pala Rd. on the south) instructing residents to evacuate to the west.
-Witch Fire: Evactuation notices have gone out to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve;Del Dios; Lake Hodges; in Poway at Espola Rd., Old Coach Rd., Heritage Rd. and Stage Coach Rd. Reverse 911 notification has been made for Poway in the area bordered by Pomerado on the west, Twin Peaks on the south and Espola on the north and east. Poway has established an evacuation center at Poway Civic Center.
-Harris Fire: Notifications have been made to residents of Mother Grundy Truck Trail and Deer Horn Valley. They were evacuated to Steele Canyon High School. Future evacuatees will be directed to Santana High School in Santee. Mandatory evacuation in progress for Coyote Holler. They were evacuated East to Campo. Mandatory evactuation notices sent for areas north of Lake Wohlford.
Residents should call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls related to this fire. Due to large call volume, residents are also urged to find fire information online at www.211SanDiego.org Residents may also call the City of San Diego Community Access Phone at 619-570-1070 for additional fire information.
No court services today
8:45 a.m.
Because of the magnitude of the fire, the court has cancelled any limited service. All courts are closed today - Monday.
All employees, jurors and those called to jury services are NOT to report to the courthouse.
Conditions of the patients currently hospitalized at UCSD Medical Center-Hillcrest are:
3 Firefighters are in Critical Condition
1 Firefighter is in Fair Condition
4 Civilians in Critical Condition
4 Civilians in Fair Condition
1 Civilian in Good Condition
Injuries are:
Critical:
60% burn injuries
29% burn injuries
28% burn injuries
12% burn injuries
8% burn injuries w/inhalation damage
5% burn injuries w/inhalation damage
5% burn injuries w/inhalation damage
Fair:
17% burn injuries
9% burn injuries
10% burn injuries
6% burn injuries
5% burn w/inhalation damage
Good:
4% burn injuries
Three firefighters in critical condition at UCSD
8:54 a.m.
The UC San Diego Medical Center Regional Burn Center began receiving burn patients from the Harris Fire at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 21.
At this time, UCSD has 13 patients hospitalized at UCSD Medical Center-Hillcrest with burns and inhalation damage, including four firefighters injured in the Portrero fire.
UCSD Thornton Hospital is canceling elective admissions in order to maintain bed capacity in anticipation of community needs. Other services are being evaluated as the situation continues to develop.
Call to all SDPD officers to return to duty
9:10 a.m.
All SDPD on and off duty detectives (investigators) will be working in uniform today until further notice. They are to report to the headquarters building.
All SDPD scheduled graveyard shift officers need to report to their commands at 6 p.m. tonight.
Pomerado Hospital being evacuated; I-15 open in both directions
9:16 a.m.
Interstate 15:
Interstate 15 has been reopened by the California Highway Patrol in both directions. The exception is to the offramps between Lake Hodges and Mercy Road. The offramps only will remain closed.
Pomerado Hospital
Pomerado Hospital is being evacuated, along with nursing homes on Monte Vista Road. Ambulances and school buses are being used for the evacuations.
Preparing to evacuate animals
9:16 a.m.
Helen Woodward Animal Center was notified by the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department to be prepared to evacuate the staff and animals within minutes if the need arises. In the meantime the Center remains open although they do not advise anyone to come to the center at this time.
They offer the following evacuation information for people with pets:
Bring:
Medications that your pets need
Vaccination and license information
Pet Beds / Blankets
Pet Toys
Crates / Carriers
Leashes / Collars
Water Bowls
Food dishes and Food
Other "creature comforts" to give your pet some feeling of normalcy
Try to stay calm for yourself and your pets
Remember that the smoke and the smells are already frightening to your pets. Don't add to this by acting irrationally
Do not leave your pets in your cars. The heat can kill them
Microchips can help you find pets that may stray during the emergency
Houses burning in Rancho Bernardo
9:16 a.m.
Houses are burning in Rancho Bernardo just off Pomerado Road.
Three houses were ablaze near the corner of Locksley Street and Fieldstone Drive at 9 a.m. today. Fire crews were battling the flames, but officials sounded anything but optimistic about controlling the fire there.
"We have more houses burning than we have people and engine companies to fight them," said San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake. "A lot of people are going to lose their homes today," she said.
This from the San Diego Animal Support Foundation
9:18 a.m.
The number operated by the county and being reported by most television stations ( 760-735-044 cool is not working. The 211 number is also busy.
The Animal Rescue Hotline IS BEING ANSWERED and people with livestock emergencies should call (619) 299-0871
San Diego City Council cancels meeting
9:21 a.m.
The San Diego City Council will not meet today because of the wildfires. Items on today's agenda will be tentatively rescheduled for tomorrow. City staff and interested parties are encouraged to check with the council president's office, (619) 236-6611.
University of Phoenix campuses closed
9:24 a.m.
University of Phoenix campuses in Kearny Mesa and San Marcos are closed today. University of Phoenix centers in downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, El Centro and Palm Desert will remain open until further notice. Students with questions can call (800) 473-4346.
San Diego County courts closed
9:26 a.m.
All San Diego County courts will be closed today, contrary to earlier reports. Employees, jurors and those called to jury services should not report to courthouses.
Chargers cancel practice
9:46 a.m.
The Chargers returned to work this morning following a long weekend off, but only for a brief time. After a meeting with coach Norv Turner, practice was canceled and the players were sent home. The team already was scheduled to be off tomorrow.
The fires burning around the county are nowhere near the team's Murphy Canyon complex, but many players and coaches live in areas that have been evacuated.
The players, who have not practiced since Thursday, are expected to resume meeting and practicing Wednesday. The Chargers are scheduled to play Houston on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium _ four years and one day after another game at Qualcomm was moved to Arizona because of devastating fires around San Diego County.
Southeast Carlsbad residents get advisory warning
10:10 a.m.
About 12,500 homes in the southeast quadrant of Carlsbad received advisory reverse 911 calls this morning, said Carlsbad Fire Marshal Jim Weigand.
The calls started at about 3a.m. and were done to give residents - mostly in the La Costa area - an alert nregarding the fire burning in San Marcos. That fire was burning south/southwest but the winds are changing and it now appears to be burning to the west, Weigand said.
"No matter where you live, pay attention, look to the media for updates and be prepared to evacuate," Weigand said.
Scripps Health announces closures during wildfires
10:12 a.m.
Scripps Health is working with the county disaster response system and has implemented disaster incident command centers at its corporate office and all five hospital campuses.
Scripps strongly encourages all patients and staff living in affected areas to follow instructions of the public safety authorities and if asked to evacuate, please do so immediately.
As of 9:30 a.m., Monday, Scripps has closed the following facilities:
* Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo
* Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley (it remains open for emergency care only)
* All elective surgeries at all sites have been canceled today except Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista. Elective surgeries are canceled tomorrow at Scripps Encinitas.
* Ambulatory Surgery Centers at Scripps Encinitas and La Jolla are closed today.
* 1-800-SCRIPPS is in disaster mode. There will no class registrations or physician referrals today.
* Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas emergency department is on diversion at this time and patients seeking non-urgent care are asked to please seek care at other facilities.
* Scripps has installed additional air scrubbers throughout our system to address the air quality issues caused by the wildfires. At this time, air quality in our hospitals is within safe levels. We are taking every precaution we can, including limiting outdoor access, to protect air quality in our hospitals
* Scripps employees should check with their managers or the labor pool at their facility. Scripps Health corporate staff should check with their managers and may be asked to assist at other locations today. Scripps employees may cross road closures with a valid Scripps badge in order to get to work.
City of Chula Vista opens EOC; officials monitoring fire situation
9:30 a.m.
Thick smoke and ash can be seen within the city of Chula Vista, however, no homes or businesses are threatened by the fires to the east. At this time no evacuations are anticipated, but we advise all residents to pay close attention to television, radio and Internet news reports for the latest fire information.
ALL CHULA VISTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS and businesses in the eastern part of the city remain open. No roads have been closed except eastbound lanes along Otay Lakes Road at Wueste Road. Fire and Police personnel are on standby to respond to any emergencies that may occur.
Residents are encouraged to go about their daily lives. If they have health concerns or are in need of social services, call 211. Also, Chula Vista residents who want updates on the current fire situation can call (619) 397-6399 to hear recorded messages.
Dozens of Rancho Bernardo homes on fire; 250,000 people evacuated
10:16 a.m.
Dozens of home in Rancho Bernardo are burning and there are now reports that some homes in 4S Ranch are also on fire.
San Diego City Fire spokesman says that fire is burning both north and south of Lake Hodges. He also said there is beginning to be some fire activity in Rancho Santa Fe.
County Supervisor Ron Roberts says that 250,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Some in Escondido get incorrect notice to evacuate
10:20 a.m.
Erroneous evacuation notices were sent out to some residents in Escondido, according to a fire department official.
Residents around the heart of Escondido may have been contacted in error by a reverse 911 system and told to evacuate to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, said Carol Rea of the Escondid Fire Department.
As of 9 a.m., the latest area added to the evacuation orders is a triangle of land bordered by Bear Valley Parkway, San Pasqual Valley Road, and San Pasqual Road.
Areas that were previously evacuated and which should remain evacuated: Sonata, Sierra Linda, Rancho San Pasqual, Rancho Vista Monte, Lomas Serenas, and Via Loma Vista.
Calvin Christian High School at 2000 North Broadway has been opened as a shelter for those who had to leave their homes. Escondido High School at 1535 North Broadway continues to serve as a primary shelter for evacuees.
Rancho Santa Fe ordered emptied
10:26 a.m.
County spokesman Mike Workman says that all of Rancho Santa Fe in now under mandatory evacaution orders.
Chargers call it a day after meeting with coach
10:36 a.m.
The Chargers returned to work this morning following a long weekend off, but only for a brief time. After a meeting with coach Norv Turner, practice was canceled and the players were sent home.
The fires burning around the county are nowhere near the team's Murphy Canyon complex, but many players and coaches live in areas that have been evacuated.
"There's nothing we could do today," head coach Norv Turner said. "We have a dozen guys who have evacuated their houses and have stuff they've got to deal with."
Among those who live in the Poway and Rancho Bernardo area are LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips and Luis Castillo.
Luis Castillo, who lives in Poway, returned to his home shortly before 10 and resumed packing in the event he had to leave.
"Most of the guys who live around here have been evacuated," Castillo said as he watched and felt the air get smokier seemingly by the minute. "It's not looking good."
The players, who have not practiced since Thursday, are expected to resume meeting and practicing Wednesday. The team already was scheduled to be off tomorrow.
"We'll just see what happens," Turner said. "The air quality is only getting worse."
The Chargers are scheduled to play Houston on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium -- four years and one day after another game at Qualcomm was moved to Arizona because of devastating fires around San Diego County.
– Jay Posner and Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
I-15 still closed contrary to earlier reports
10:50 a.m.
The CHP advises that Interstate 15 is still closed in both directions between state Route 78 and state Route 56. CHP Commander Patrick Symonds says there was some earlier confusion as to the status of the freeway because it had been closed as far north as state Route 76. That segment of the highway is now open but southbound drivers are being diverted onto SR-78.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Rancho Santa Fe and portions of Lakeside
11:00 a.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Rancho Santa Fe, as well as the Olivenhain Dam area. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for Lakeside at 13100 Willow Rd.
A report that portions of Leucadia are being evacuated has not been confirmed at this time.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds are open and ready to receive evacuees. Evacuation points have been established at San Marcos High School at 1615 W. San Marcos Blvd. and Poway Civic Center at 13325 Civic Center Drive. Mira Mesa High School is now closed as it has reached capacity.
Emergency officials are reminding residents to limit cell phone calls and use major highways for emergencies only.
Residents should call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls related to this fire. Due to large call volume, residents are also urged to find fire information online at www.211SanDiego.org Callers may experience a wait time up to five minutes. Please be patient as 2-1-1 is receiving heavy call volume. Residents may also call the City of San Diego Community Access Phone at 619-570-1070 for additional fire information.
Union-Tribune Kids' Newsday postponed
11:16 a.m.
Due to the fires in San Diego County, the 18th annual Union-Tribune Kids' NewsDay has been postponed. The event was scheduled to take place tomorrow, Oct. 23.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, NBC 7/39, and other event partners thank all volunteers and businesses for their understanding and support. Organizers will contact all involved parties when the event has been rescheduled.
All of Rady Children's non-emergency services and elective appointments are cancelled today.
For more information, please check the Kids' NewsDay Hotline 858-966-4965 and www.knd2007.kintera.org.
Fire in sight of Pomerado Hospital
11:26 a.m.
POWAY –Fire and smoke crested the hills immediately east of Villa Pomerado here at 11 a.m. today, and mechanic and service workers for the hospital complex were manning hoses the defend the facility.
All workers were being told at 11:15 to evacuate Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado at 15600 block of Pomerado Road. Fire appeared to be coming over the hills from the east. Mechanics had gone to fire extinguisher boxes on the roof of the parking structure to pull hoses and fighting equipment. Smoke was thick.
No fire trucks could be seen in the area of the hospital complex.
Meanwhile, a long line of Villa Pomerado patients in wheelchairs were quickly being moved onto school buses lined up to evacuate patients from the nursing facility. More than 120 patients from Pomerado Hospital were evacuated earlier this morning and 75 patients from the adjoining Villa Pomerado were now being taken to other sites.
Each Villa Pomerado patient was holding a large ziplock bag carrying confidential patient information and transfer documents as they were being loaded onto the buses.
High school games, practices canceled
11:35 a.m.
High school games and practices in the region have been canceled for Monday and Tuesday.
The athletic events were called off by San Diego Section administrators because of the fire conditions and unhealthy air.
Each school will be adjusting its schedule to accommodate possible makeup dates.
Parts of Solana Beach, west of I-5, ordered voluntarily evacuated
11:40 a.m.
Solana Beach's Fire Department officials are going door to door on 12 streets to ask residents to voluntarily evacuate. The streets are all west of Interstate 5. Fire officials said they are concerned that fire could move through the San Elijo Lagoon area into coastal neighborhoods.
The streets are: 700 Seabright Lane; 200 Patty Hill Drive; 600 Barbara Ave.; 700 Rios Ave.; 700 Granados Ave.; 600 Holmwood Lane; 700 Rawl Place; 600 Canyon Place; 400-600 Canyon Drive; 600 Ridgeline Place; 600 Glencrest Place; and 400-500 Glencrest Drive.
*I'm just south of Salona Beach right now.
MiraCosta College closes all three campuses
11:43 a.m.
MiraCosta College has shut down all three of its campuses in Oceanside and Encinitas. "It's not an air-quality issue in Oceanside," college spokeswoman Bonnie Hall said, but many staff and faculty are either evacuated from their homes or poised to do so. Also, closed are all off-site classes in community facilities. "We're responding to the plea to keep as much traffic off the roads as possible," Hall said.
A decision will be made at 2 p.m. today whether to resume classes tomorrow.
Cars pouring into Qualcomm
11:47 a.m.
Cars have been streaming into the Qualcomm parking lot at a steady clip all morning. By 11:00 a.m., several hundred evacuees had registered at sign-up tables.
A concession window was opened, and free slices of pizza and hot dogs were being given out. At a nearby table, volunteers handed out loaves of bread, waters and Starbucks coffee. Across the concourse, a Farmers Insurance table was set up.
Police and fire officials were on hand, as were representatives from the San Diego Blood Bank, which was accepting donations.
Lynn Stead, of the San Diego Blood Bank, said they only had a two-day supply of blood.
A Vons truck pulled into the parking lot and was dropping off food.
Inside the stadium, upstairs on the club level, dozens of people evacuated from the Remington Club, a senior community in Rancho Bernardo, sat in the air-conditioned end-zone room. Many arrived in wheelchairs or using walkers, after they were taken on school buses from the club around 7 a.m.
"I was determined not to leave that place but the general manager was quite persuasive," said Bill Scatchard. He was there with his small dog Bogie, known as "the house dog."
Most people sat in or near their cars in the parking lot, listening to the radio, walking their dogs, wondering what to do next and when they might be able to go home ... if they had a home.
"It doesn't look good," said Sherry Stockton, whose family fled their Matinal Circle house, at the north end of Rancho Bernardo, at about 5 a.m.
Her husband Alan heard a radio report that flames had jumped I-15 and walked outside to check, when the heat and the glow from the fire convinced him it was time to leave. They grabbed their dog, cat, 2 lizards, and a guinea pig and left.
Sitting on the back of their truck at Qualcomm, Sherry Stockton lamented what she hadn't had time to pack. I wished I had grabbed more pictures," she said. We just didn't have more time."
Their daughter Julie remembered to take her high school and college diplomas. "No matter what happens, I'm not going to back to school."
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church partially burns
11:48 a.m.
Part of Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church, located at West Bernardo Drive and Duenda Road, has burned, according to lead Pastor Dan Maxton. The sanctuary on the upper campus appears to be hardest hit, while the buildings on the lower campus, including the preschool and youth center, are OK.
Sanders asks residents to donate items to fight
11:50 a.m.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is encouraging residents and business owners to donate the following items in support of fire evacuation relief efforts at Qualcomm Stadium: prepared foods, water, tents, cots and blankets.
All donations should be delivered to Gate P at the Qualcomm Stadium.
Silver Strand open for evacuees with motor homes
11:51 a.m.
Fire evacuees with motor homes or other large vehicles can go to the Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado or the Torrey Pines or San Elijo state beaches in the North County, officials said.
Leucadia not among evacuation sites
11:52 a.m.
The city of Encintas says that contrary to some reports portions of Leucadia are not being evacauted. Reverse 911 calls have gone out to some residents in the Olivenhain area on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Drive.
Wild Animal Park evacuated
11:56 a.m.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park was evacuated at 5 a.m Monday, with a selected group of smaller and endangered animals taken to a veterinary hospital on site. By late morning, the park was enveloped in a blanket of ash and smoke, charred pieces of Lord-knows-what falling on the nearly deserted tourist attraction like snowflakes.
Crews were dousing small spot fires and removing trees downed by ferocious wind gusts.
Just 30 employees deemed essential were left behind, including keepers, veterinarians and operations staff, a spokeswoman said. On a typical day this time of year, up to 500 people are at work at the site, the spokeswoman said.
Officials did not venture a guess as to when the park might reopen.
Race track's 1,800 horse stalls are full
11:57 a.m.
The Del Mar Racetrack's 1,800 horse stalls are full and it's unclear where any more horses will be held.
Del Mar started taking horses in last night, but there had already been animals there due to a jumping competition that had run from Wednesday to Sunday.
As of 9:45 this morning, there were only 100 stalls left and by 11 a.m., people were told they were full.
Officials were bringing horses to the Scream Zone area temporarily and were also considering double-stalling the horses, housing two horses per stall.
Earlier today, horse owners were told they could bring their horses to The Oaks horse facility in Orange County, but that option was called off, reportedly due to winds and possible fire threat in that area.
In additions to horses at Del Mar, the track facility is also housing dogs, litters of puppies and goats.
Feed, hay and water was being provided.
People were being housed separately, being sent over to the fair facilities.
Clear Channel back up and broadcasting
11:59 a.m.
After a power outage knocked Clear Channel Communications' nine radio stations off the air earlier today, KOGO AM 600 and its sister stations are back and broadcasting.
That means news/talk station KOGO AM 600 will continue with its ongoing fire coverage, providing listeners with news updates and information about road closures, school closures, shelters and other fire-related subjects.
The news outlet will also be feeding reports to all of Clear Channel's local stations, including Star 94.1, KGB 101.5 FM, KLSD AM 1360 and US 95.7.
Mission Hills High to open evacuation center
12:05 p.m.
Mission Hills High School opened an evacuation center at 4:30 a.m. and had registered about 300 evacuees this morning. Food was provided by the San Marcos Unified School District and some local restaurants. Student volunteers helped serve and care for evacuees.
After news that the Discovery Hills area of San Marcos was no longer in danger, some people left to go home.
– Logan Jenkins
The San Diego County Apartment Association is asking landlords to provide rental housing to families displaced by the wildfires. The association is assembling a list of available units throughout the county, which will be posted on its website at sdcaa.com. The association is asking that landlords abide by the following guidelines: -All units offered should be at a price no greater than that which was offered or advertised to the public during the 30 days immediately prior to the fires. -All security deposits will be no greater than that offered or advertised to the public during the 30 days immediately prior to the fires. -All rental agreements will contain a clause that the rent will not be raised for at least six months.
Qualcomm refugees swell to 10,000
12:08 p.m.
Fire evacuees continue to take refuge at Qualcomm Stadium and by 12 noon, the number of people taking at the Mission Valley site had swelled to an estimated 10,000.
Just an hour earlier there the number had been in the hundreds. Some people were double evacuees; having fled Ramona last night for Rancho Bernardo, they then found themselves having to flee again. More than 300 volunteers were assisting people and there was a call for cots, blankets, and food to be dropped off at the stadium.
Navy wants only "essential personnel" to report to work
12:17 p.m.
The Navy is asking only essential personnel to report to duty Monday, while personnel at Camp Pendleton are serving a normal duty day, military spokesmen said.
The Navy has advised military families who must evacuate their homes to contact one of the following military housing facilities:
‚Navy Lodge, North Island Naval Air Station or El Centro Naval Air Station: (760) 339-2342
Navy Lodge, San Diego Naval Base at 32nd Street: (619) 234-6142
Navy Lodge, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station: (85 cool 271-7111
Point Loma Naval Base, Antisubmarine Warfare, bachelors' quarters: (619) 524-0557
Point Loma Naval Base, Submarine Base, bachelors' quarters: (619) 524-5382
Coronado Naval Base, Amphibious Base: (619) 437-3860
Coronado Naval Base, North Island: (619) 545-9551
San Diego Naval Base, bachelor's quarters: (619) 556-8674
All Solana Beach residents told be ready to evacuate
12:19 p.m.
All Solana Beach residents are advised to plan, pack and be prepared to evacuate because current wild fires may spread.
A city emergency operations director, John Traylor, said residents on 12 streets close to Holmwood Canyon , which extends from San Elijo Lagoon south into a neighborhood west of Interstate 5, are advised to voluntarily evacuate. The rest of the city may be asked to do so if the fire danger spreads.The lagoon extends east into Rancho Santa Fe, where a mandatory evacuation has been instituted.
Right now, Solana Beach fire officials are going door to door on those 12 streets to advice residents to leave. Those streets are: 700 Seabright Lane; 200 Patty Hill Drive; 600 Barbara Ave.; 700 Rios Ave.; 700 Granados Ave.; 600 Holmwood Lane; 700 Rawl Place; 600 Canyon Place; 400-600 Canyon Drive; 600 Ridgeline Place; 600 Glencrest Place; and 400-500 Glencrest Drive.
Traylor said the canyon rim is the city's highest fire danger zone because of an abundance of vegetation. "We are trying to be ahead of the curve," he said.
 Starryaqua · Mon Oct 22, 2007 @ 02:28pm · 2 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
