THE BIG FIRE (AGAIN!)

Note: I'll use this blog to update Roadrunner readers on the fire just in case we have to evacuate The Roadrunner office. This doesn't look particularly likely at the moment, but the way this fire is moving, anything is possible.


Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 09:45
There are mandatory evacuations of the Paradise Mountain area, including Skyline Ranch and Guejito Road as fire moves towards Valley Center from San Pasqual.
There have also reportedly been reverse 911 warnings for residents living along Woods Valley and North Lake Wohlford to evacuate.
Hellhole Canyon Preserve would also be in the path of the fire if these reports are correct.
The areas threatened can be found on Thomas Bros. map pages 1091, 1111 and 1090.
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Sunday we began reliving the nightmare.
In what some fear will be a worse fire than the catastrophe of 2003 twin blazes began near Santa Ysabel and Campo and raced west.
By late Sunday Ramona was a ghost town, completely evacuated, while fires raced west through San Pasqual towards Rancho Bernardo.
Palomar Mountain was partially evacuated Sunday night when a small fire started on the slopes of the mountain near the Riverside County line.
Valley Center, which had at first escaped the conflagration now appears to be threatened along the route that it took in the Paradise fire, except in the reverse.

The Animal Rescue Hotline IS BEING ANSWERED and people with livestock emergencies should call (619) 299-0871.

San Diego Animal Support Foundation reports:
“We will be compiling a list of people who are willing to offer space in their homes or yards to temporarily house animals displaced by the fires. Pubic can call 619-847-8755. This is not an answering system....it is a direct number operated by a real person. If you get voicemail, your call will be immediately returned. This number is only for people offering temporary pet houseing, if necessary.”
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Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Escondido in the Bear Valley/78 area.

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.

Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the Harris Fire near Honey Springs Road and Lyons Valley Road and all areas to the east toward Cleveland National Forest.

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. Residents may also call the City of San Diego Community Access Phone at 619-570-1070 for additional fire information.

The following has been reported but not confirmed:
“Rainbow has been evacuated & the fire has jumped I-15. They are closing I-15 at the Riverside border. I-15 is also closed at Hwy 78. So.... if you are in Rainbow, Fallbrook, Bonsall areas, the only exit is westbound on Hwy 76... or Lilac Rd & Gopher Canyon to Vista Way.”
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Tune to KOGO 600 AM radio for continued updates.

100,000 acres burned. 250,000 people evacuated. Evacuatees should head for Qualcom STADIUM not the corporate headquarters.

4S Ranch fire is headed for Rancho Santa Fe.

Del Dios (north and south), West of I-15, East of I-5, and Hwy 56 North is being evacuated.

Minimize cell phone calls as Emergency Services are using them to communicate.

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.

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