The Roadrunner received this request for assistance from the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce Secretary Carol Mohrbacher:
"HELP! I received a call from John Yeager, President of the VC Chamber. I have been asked to help provide necessities to those fire storm evacuee’s (200) at Valley Center High School. Shawneen Burdick is the American Red Cross Cert person who is helping Principle Ron McCowan coordinate this effort…today Valley View Casino provided (200) boxed lunches (for dinner) via the Junction Deli…and also ~200 muffin’s for breakfast tomorrow. HOWEVER…THEY ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF BOTTLED WATER, CANS OF COFFEE, COFFEE CREAMER, SUGAR & BOXED JUICES FOR THE CHILDREN…CAN YOU HELP????? IF YOU CAN PLEASE TAKE THESE ITEMS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND DELIVER, THE BANK WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW AND YOU MAY BRING THE “GOODS” TO THE BANK, PER NICKY [Lovejoy].
Many thanks already for Lou Obermeyer, Sarah Clayton and Nicky Lovejoy, who always jump in to help, and willingly give good guidance to a new Rotarian. J
I have been told the largest group of folks there, are from the Senior Mobil Home Park up on Paradise Mountain. I believe Tom Bumgardner and Roger Ledecker of the Chamber have arranged to get 200 blankets, mattresses and pillows delivered to the High School for the evacuee’s. This is a scary time for everyone, but if we can all do something to help those in need, it would be wonderful.
Thanking you in advance."
Blessings to all,
Carol Mohrbacher,
Secretary, Valley Center Chamber of Commerce
Monday, October 22, 2007
SOME LIGHTER NOTES ON THE FIRE
Posted 8:20 p.m.
Evacuees at the high school this morning were greeted by Principal Ron McCowan, who offered hot coffee and sandwiches.
Reportedly Chairman Allen Lawson of the San Pasqual Tribe paid for over 150 dinners for the evacuees.
Joy Justis, who retired just a few months ago as fire marshal, is back in harness for a few days anyway. She was answering phones at the Valley Center Fire District office (751-7600) which was staying open all night to keep residents informed.
The latest word is that the fire that is threatening the Wild Animal Park and some homes on Lake Wohlford is stalled so that it has not made a pass at Valley Center just yet.
Of course, with changes in the wind, anything can happen in the morning.
Evacuees at the high school this morning were greeted by Principal Ron McCowan, who offered hot coffee and sandwiches.
Reportedly Chairman Allen Lawson of the San Pasqual Tribe paid for over 150 dinners for the evacuees.
Joy Justis, who retired just a few months ago as fire marshal, is back in harness for a few days anyway. She was answering phones at the Valley Center Fire District office (751-7600) which was staying open all night to keep residents informed.
The latest word is that the fire that is threatening the Wild Animal Park and some homes on Lake Wohlford is stalled so that it has not made a pass at Valley Center just yet.
Of course, with changes in the wind, anything can happen in the morning.
NIGHTTIME POST ON FIRE
This is the latest I have received from CalFire:
The Witch Fire is now 145,000 acres and 0 % contained. The cause is under investigation. 600 structures have been destroyed (500 residences, 50 outbuildings and 100 commercial properties). 300 structures have been damaged (250 residences, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings) There has been 7 injuries to firefighters and 1 injury to a civilian. Communities threatened: San Diego, Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe. Currently there are 89 engines, 9 fire crews, 10 dozers, 2 water tenders which is about 625 firefighters. The ICP has been moved to Kit Carson Park (at Kit Carson Park and Bear Valley Parkway).
The Harris Fire is now 22,000 acres and 5 percent contained. There have been 5 firefighters and 16 civilians injured, with 1 fatality. The communities of Potrero, Barrett Junction, Barrett Lake area, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Valley, Lawson Valley, Jamul, Lyons Valley area and Otay Mountain are threatened. The cost to date to fight this fire is $1,300,000. Fire fighters are experiencing extreme fire behavior due to weather conditions. Some civilians have chosen not to evacuate and have created rescue problems as the fire impacts their community. Most resource orders remain unfilled due to competing incidents in the unit.
The Witch Fire is now 145,000 acres and 0 % contained. The cause is under investigation. 600 structures have been destroyed (500 residences, 50 outbuildings and 100 commercial properties). 300 structures have been damaged (250 residences, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings) There has been 7 injuries to firefighters and 1 injury to a civilian. Communities threatened: San Diego, Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe. Currently there are 89 engines, 9 fire crews, 10 dozers, 2 water tenders which is about 625 firefighters. The ICP has been moved to Kit Carson Park (at Kit Carson Park and Bear Valley Parkway).
The Harris Fire is now 22,000 acres and 5 percent contained. There have been 5 firefighters and 16 civilians injured, with 1 fatality. The communities of Potrero, Barrett Junction, Barrett Lake area, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Valley, Lawson Valley, Jamul, Lyons Valley area and Otay Mountain are threatened. The cost to date to fight this fire is $1,300,000. Fire fighters are experiencing extreme fire behavior due to weather conditions. Some civilians have chosen not to evacuate and have created rescue problems as the fire impacts their community. Most resource orders remain unfilled due to competing incidents in the unit.
LATEST FIRE NEWS/ 3:40 P.M.
OFFICIALS CALL THIS THE WORST FIRE IN COUNTY HISTORY
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol. This will also affect Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain post offices.
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol. This will also affect Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain post offices.
LATEST FIRE NEWS/ 3:40 P.M.
OFFICIALS CALL THIS THE WORST FIRE IN COUNTY HISTORY
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol.
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol.
LATEST FIRE NEWS/ 3:40 P.M.
OFFICIALS CALL THIS THE WORST FIRE IN COUNTY HISTORY
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol. This will also affect Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain post offices.
By DAVID ROSS
Note: This Web site will be updated as events warrant.
10/22/2007 2:30 p.m.
As the most catastrophic fire in San Diego County’s history continues its westward march, Mother Nature is being a little more cooperative with those putting themselves in its path.
As many as 250,000 San Diego County residents have been evacuated from their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned.
About 22,000 peopl are without power
Meanwhile, The Roadrunner has been been informed that the National Guard has been activated for deployment in San Diego County.
Governor Arnold Schwarz-enegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.
So far, Valley Center is untouched, although mandatory evacuations of the Bear Valley, Guejito, Paradise Mountain area have been conducted as a precaution to avoid a replay of the loss of life and devastation that happened there four years ago.
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!
Fire officials were also very concerned about the several hundred senior citizens in residence at the Skyline Ranch mobile home park. Four years ago the fire just barely avoided the park.
The Witch fire remains at the Guejito location and fire officials are hoping that the change of wind may cause the fire to double back on itself.
The local incident command is at the Sheriff’s substation on North Lake Wohlford Road.
This afternoon winds are not nearly as strong and visibility is good enough so that the tankers at Ramona Air Attack Base have begun flying again with their P3 Orions four engine air tankers and helicopters.
This will be a welcome sight for CalFire firefighters who have had to battle the blazes for 24-hours without air support due to high winds.
According to Valley Center CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Pres. Jim Courter, about a dozen volunteers are out at any one time.
They have been helping with the evacuation of Paradise Mountain and the Skyline Ranch trailer park.
The evacuation of San Pasqual Reservation was handled by Sheriff’s deputies and tribal firefighters.
Currently about 250 evacuees are at the evacuation center at Valley Center High School.
The San Pasqual Reservation has been evacuated. The decision was made by Tribal Allen Lawson.
Many of the tribe’s evacuaees, as well as senior citizens from Skyline Ranch, have ended up at the evacuation center.
The center is being run right now by volunteers from the school district, including High School Principal Ron McCowan and some of his staff. The Red Cross has been unable to send anyone yet. But several hundred meals from the Red Cross are on their way to the evacuation center.
Food is being provided by the school district’s food services organization and the food services department at Valley View Casino.
According to Courter, “The Red Cross is swamped right now. They have agreed to send fifty cots and some supplies and as supplies come from out of state they will send more.”
The Red Cross is looking at late morning on Tuesday before supplies start arriving.
* * *
Schools will be closed countywide through Wednesday, according to Supt. Lou Obermeyer of the VC-Pauma Unified School Dsitrict.
There will be no CIF sports team practices through Wednesday.
* * *
There is no mail delivery by the Valley Center Post Office today and tomorrow’s delivery will be evaluated and decided later by postal officials.
Mail trucks were turned away at the bottom of the Valley Center grade by the California Highway Patrol. This will also affect Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain post offices.
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.”
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.”
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.
* * *
Tune to KOGO 600 AM radio for continued updates.
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.”
* * *
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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