LATEST FIRE NEWS

Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 12:08 a.m.
So far there is no fires in the Valley Center Fire Protection District or Valley Center.
There is no fire on Lilac Road. Some residents have heard reports of a “Lilac” fire, but apparently that is a fire burning in the Fallbrook area. So don’t tie up phone lines calling the Valley Center fire department to ask about it!
There are mandatory evacuations of the Paradise Mountain area, including Skyline Ranch and Guejito Road as fire threatens to move towards Valley Center from San Pasqual.
Fire Marshal George Lucia is currently going through the Paradise Mountain area trying to persuade residents to leave.
There have also reportedly been reverse 911 warnings for residents living along Woods Valley and North Lake Wohlford to evacuate.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated.
The areas threatened can be found on Thomas Bros. map pages 1091, 1111 and 1090.
According to one CalFire captain: “This is a wind/Santa Ana driven fire that is moving very quickly. There are few fires more dangerous than a Santa Ana. Use extreme caution while in the area of this incident. It can quickly surround you and you will rapidly become a victim.”
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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.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
By late Sunday Ramona was a ghost town, completely evacuated, while fires raced west through San Pasqual towards Rancho Bernardo.
Some people in Ramona barely got out with their lives, just moments ahead of the blaze.
Palomar Mountain was partially evacuated Sunday night when a small fire started on the slopes of the mountain near the Riverside County line. But as of this writing the mountain is not threatened.
Valley Center could be threatened along the route that it took in the Paradise fire, except in the reverse. But so far there are no fires in Valley Center.
All schools in the Valley Center- Pauma Unified School District were closed on Monday.
According to Olivia Leschick, Administrator in Charge of Special Projects: “We will update parents about status for tomorrow by a telephone message that will be given in English and in Spanish through our Connect Ed. Phone System.”
Because of high winds aircraft that normally would be used to fight the flames have been grounded.
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Contrary to earlier reports I-15 has NOT been reopened.
It is still closed in both directions between the 78 and the 56.
Caltrans requested that I-15 be closed again because of fire threats to wooden structures along the freeway.
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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.
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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.”
According to the County’s Emergency Web site: “Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Rancho Santa Fe, portions of Leucadia, as well as the Olivenhain Dam area. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for Lakeside at 13100 Willow Rd.”
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Hallyeyaaw Lane in Santa Ysabel.
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Tune to KOGO 600 AM radio for continued updates.
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EVACUATION CENTERS
An evacuation center for San Diego residents is being established at Qualcomm STADIUM not the corporate headquarters.
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.
ANIMAL EVACUATIONS
The San Diego Humane Society's Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) team is currently working with the San Diego County Department of Animal Services to evacuate domestic animals and livestock threatened by the Harris and Witch Creek fires. Together, 6 teams of staff are working to rescue animals in need.
Residents that need to evacuate their homes are asked to take all companion animals with them. If possible, place your pet in a crate or carrier and bring any necessary supplies including leashes, food, water, and medications as supplies at evacuation centers may be limited. More tips can be found online at www.sdhumane.org.
Most Red Cross evacuation centers are accepting pets in carriers.
If you do not have or were unable to pet your pet in a carrier or need pet supplies, bring your pet to one of the following Red Cross evacuation centers:
Qualcomm Stadium -- 9449 Friars Road Mira Mesa High School—10510 Reagan Road San Diego
San Diego County Department of Animal Services and San Diego Humane Society staff will be on hand at these sites to distribute pet supplies have been donated by PETCO for pet owners in need.
LARGE ANIMAL SITES-The following sites are FULL and are no longer accepting animals:
• Lakeside Rodeo Grounds - APPROACHING CAPACITY
• Del Mar Fairgrounds - FULL
If you have animals or livestock that you cannot evacuate yourself or that need to be rescued, call (619) 236-4250 and press "1" for emergency services.
If you have a stable or other areas that are safe and can house a number of large animals and livestock that need to be evacuated, please call the San Diego Humane Society at (619) 299-7012. SDHS is also in need of portable livestock panels for temporary corrals.
If you have these available for use, please call (619) 299-7012.
Volunteers and supplies are not needed at this time, but the San Diego Humane Society is keeping a list of names for people interested in helping. If you would like to help, you can donate online at www.sdhumane.org or call (619) 299-7012.
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 housing, if necessary.”
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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, Oct. 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.