Thursday, February 14, 2008
HWY 76 OPEN TO RESIDENTS ONLY
The storm has passed. Due to ice conditions and the potential for more ice-laden trees falling on the roadway, CHP has closed Highway 76 from Valley Center Road to Lake Henshaw for the duration of the night. However, all residents from the La Jolla Reservation, the closed Highway 76 corridor, and Palomar Mountain, with ID and chains, will be allowed access from either direction. They will be advised to drive slowly, especially in light of the potential of trees falling unexpectedly. So long as the wind does not increase again (affecting the trees), this limited closure should not change to a complete closure (that would even exclude residents).
HWY 76 CLOSED BY SNOW
Hwy 76 remains closed tonight at Rincon Ranch Road & at Lake Henshaw, with local residents being allowed in a East Grade only.
Which means that many Palomar Mountain people are not being allowed to get home without driving the long way around through Ramona or Temecula.
Snow levels down to the 1,500 foot mark are wreaking havoic, causing accidents and even trees are across some parts of the road.
Here's the latest from Sheriff's Lt. Sean Gerrity:
"Last report I just received is that we have trees falling down across Hwy 76, and they keep falling faster than we can clean them up (ice & snow is bringing them down). CHP is now closing the Henshaw-side access to everyone. They are working on moving the west side closure from Rincon Ranch Road to South Grade Road, and allow resident access there. For the Borrego crowd, they are working on allowing them up Palomar via South Grade, and back down East Grade back onto Hwy 76, but they will have to have chains if we are able to do this. Unfortunately, they won't be able to drive through any trees on Highway 76. Black ice is forming, too, to top everything else off."
Which means that many Palomar Mountain people are not being allowed to get home without driving the long way around through Ramona or Temecula.
Snow levels down to the 1,500 foot mark are wreaking havoic, causing accidents and even trees are across some parts of the road.
Here's the latest from Sheriff's Lt. Sean Gerrity:
"Last report I just received is that we have trees falling down across Hwy 76, and they keep falling faster than we can clean them up (ice & snow is bringing them down). CHP is now closing the Henshaw-side access to everyone. They are working on moving the west side closure from Rincon Ranch Road to South Grade Road, and allow resident access there. For the Borrego crowd, they are working on allowing them up Palomar via South Grade, and back down East Grade back onto Hwy 76, but they will have to have chains if we are able to do this. Unfortunately, they won't be able to drive through any trees on Highway 76. Black ice is forming, too, to top everything else off."
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
SOME PALOMAR RESIDENTS GET BOIL ORDER
Some residents of Palomar Mountain must boil their water because it may contain coliform and E coli bacteria, which were found in the water after tests were conducted earlier in the week, according to the County Dept. of Environmental Health.
According to the health department tests indicate a well from which the water system draws its supply may be contaminated. E. coli poses a health risk to infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems. The boil water order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and tests confirm the bacteria has been flushed from the system.
This boil order only applies to Palomar Observatory, the Cal Fire fire station, and the 15 or so residences on the observatory grounds.
The water on the rest of the mountain appears to be unaffected, including that at Baileys, the summit and the Palomar Mountain Mutual Water Co., which serves the Crestline area of the mountain. That last was confirmed today by Mike Probert, systems operator at the Palomar Mutual system.
According to the health department tests indicate a well from which the water system draws its supply may be contaminated. E. coli poses a health risk to infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems. The boil water order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and tests confirm the bacteria has been flushed from the system.
This boil order only applies to Palomar Observatory, the Cal Fire fire station, and the 15 or so residences on the observatory grounds.
The water on the rest of the mountain appears to be unaffected, including that at Baileys, the summit and the Palomar Mountain Mutual Water Co., which serves the Crestline area of the mountain. That last was confirmed today by Mike Probert, systems operator at the Palomar Mutual system.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF BOY
This morning at 11:21 a 911 emergency call was received reporting a 10 year boy was in a canyon and had his right foot trapped under a boulder. The call was in the area of North Lake Wolford Rd and Ahern Ranch Rd.
Valley Center Battalion Chief 3317, Engine-73, Medic-73, San Pasqual Reservation 6711, Brush 67, and the San Diego County Sheriffs were dispatched to a Rescue call by CALFIRE to the reported location.
First on scene, San Diego County sheriffs’ found the boy and his father about 300’ down a steep canyon. They reported to Fire and Paramedics that a boulder weighing approximately 500 lbs was on top of the boys left ankle. The three sheriffs and the boys Dad were able to move the boulder off the ankle.
Paramedics made access to the patient and conducted an evaluation. They determined that the boy had a possible fracture of right ankle, so they stabilized the ankle in a splint. Because of the remote location and steepness of the hillside, Incident commander Nick Bishop assigned Engine 73, Engine 6711 and Brush 67 to set up a Rope Rescue system and the boy was hauled up to the top of the hill.
The initial contact with the patient happened within 5 minutes, but because of the complexity of extrication from the canyon, the incident lasted nearly 2 hours.
After talking with the paramedics, the boy’s parents chose to take him to hospital themselves rather than by ambulance.
After the Rescue was completed Fire crews took a quick break and hydration and were back in service.
Valley Center Battalion Chief 3317, Engine-73, Medic-73, San Pasqual Reservation 6711, Brush 67, and the San Diego County Sheriffs were dispatched to a Rescue call by CALFIRE to the reported location.
First on scene, San Diego County sheriffs’ found the boy and his father about 300’ down a steep canyon. They reported to Fire and Paramedics that a boulder weighing approximately 500 lbs was on top of the boys left ankle. The three sheriffs and the boys Dad were able to move the boulder off the ankle.
Paramedics made access to the patient and conducted an evaluation. They determined that the boy had a possible fracture of right ankle, so they stabilized the ankle in a splint. Because of the remote location and steepness of the hillside, Incident commander Nick Bishop assigned Engine 73, Engine 6711 and Brush 67 to set up a Rope Rescue system and the boy was hauled up to the top of the hill.
The initial contact with the patient happened within 5 minutes, but because of the complexity of extrication from the canyon, the incident lasted nearly 2 hours.
After talking with the paramedics, the boy’s parents chose to take him to hospital themselves rather than by ambulance.
After the Rescue was completed Fire crews took a quick break and hydration and were back in service.
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