Trio of fires remain outside Riverside County borders
Three Southern California fires were threatening to move into Riverside County earlier Friday morning but yet to do so, according to Cal Fire.
The Santiago Fire, which has burned approximately 26,000 acres in Orange County remained the closest, just one and a half miles west of the county line at Horse Thief Canyon near Corona, according to Becky Luther of the CalFire in Riverside County.
The winds were "steady, but not blowing, which is good," Luther said. The Santiago Fire is currently 30 percent contained.
The Rice Canyon Fire, which has burned 206 homes and 9,000 acres in the Fallbrook area, remains south of the Riverside County border in the De Luz area, she said.
The Poomacha Fire is six miles south of the county line in the Pala area, according to Luther. The Rice Canyon Fire was considered 40 percent contained and the Poomacha Fire was at 30 percent containment.
No other information was available as of 4 a.m. Friday. - Michael Donnelly, staff writer, 4:17 a.m.
Officials plan to close Qualcomm shelter at noon
With only an estimated 350 people remaining at the evacuation center set up at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, city officials announced early this morning that the facility would close as a shelter at noon today.
Those remaining will be relocated to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, county officials said. - NCT, 4:06 a.m.
Bottled water available to Ramona residents
Bottled water is available for Ramona residents at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds at 434 Aqua Lane. Water from the Ramona Municipal Water District is currently unsafe, and residents have been advised not to drink or use the water in their homes and businesses until further notified. - 5:00 a.m.
Boil Water order issued for Rainbow Municipal Water District
Because the recent fire may have impacted the water quality, the California Department of Public Health in conjunction with the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, and Rainbow Municipal Water District are advising residents of Rainbow Municipal Water District, located north of Highway 76, to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. - 1:55 a.m.
Reverse 911 used Thursday night to remind Ramona of unsafe water
The Reverse 911 system was used tonight to remind Ramona residents of an unsafe water alert from the California Department of Health. The public should not drink water from the Ramona Municipal Water District because it could cause illness. Use only bottled water. Also, residents are urged not to turn on water in homes and businesses. The advisory is in effect until further notice.
Crews from the San Diego County Water Authority and five additional local water agencies are helping the Ramona Water Municipal Water District and are working around the clock to shut down all 10,000 water meters in the community as soon as possible. The water meters must be turned off before the water system can begin to safely re-fill. Once the meters are shut down, it will take 48 hours or more for the system to re-pressurize and re-fill enough to resume water deliveries to the entire community. - 1:54 a.m.
Lake Elsinore Unified schools closed Friday
Smoke from the Santiago and Rice Canyon fires have prompted the Lake Elsinore Unified School District to close its campuses Friday. All school activities, after-school tutoring, local athletic events and day care are also cancelled. - NCT staff, 1:31 a.m.
Trio of fires have not crossed into Riverside County
Three Southern California fires were threatening to move their way into Riverside County earlier Friday morning but yet to do so, according to CalFire.
The Santiago Fire, which has burned approximately 26,000 acres in Orange County remained the closest, just one and a half miles west of the county line at Horse Thief Canyon near Corona, according to Becky Luther of the CalFire in Riverside County.
The winds were "steady, but not blowing which is good," Luther said. The Santiago Fire is currently 30 percent contained.
The Rice Canyon Fire, which has burned 206 homes and 9,000 acres in the Fallbrook area, remains south of the Riverside County border in the De Luz area, she said.
The Poomacha Fire is six miles south of the border in the Pala area, according to Luther. The Rice Canyon Fire was considered 40 percent contained and the Poomacha Fire was at 30 percent containment.
No other information was available as of 12:15 a.m. Friday. - Michael Donnelly, staff writer, 12:35 a.m.
Normal operations returning to Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton and the I Marine Expeditionary Force will return to normal operation Friday. All Marines, sailors and civilian employees must report for duty unless they have been directly affected by wildfires. Updates are available by calling (866) 430-2764.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer, 8:29 p.m.
Red Cross distributing bottled water in Ramona
The American Red Cross will distribute bottled water to Ramona residents at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds, 421 Aqua Lane, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
- NCT staff
8:07 p.m.
Partial lifting of Fallbrook evacuation order
Fallbrook residents within the following boundaries may return home:
- West of Gird Road between Highway 76 and Reche Road
- West of Reche Road from Gird to Live Oak Park.
- West of Reche Road.
- North on Live Oak Park from Reche Road to Alavarado.
- West of Live Oak Park on Alvarado to Stage Coach.
- North on Stage Coach to East Mission Road.
- West on East Mission to the western boundary of Fallbrook.
No access will be allowed East or West of these boundaries. Access will be granted only to residents with identification. Residents may not return by way of Camp Pendleton.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
7:41 p.m.
Boil water order issued for Rainbow Municipal Water District
Concerned that wildfires may have contaminated water, the state and county authorities are ordering consumers in the Rainbow Municipal Water District to boil all tap water used for drinking and cooking.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
7:36 p.m.
Ramona evacuations lifted
Ramona residents may return to their homes by way of Highway 67 from Poway or Highway 78 from Julian. All other points of entry remain closed. Residents are ordered not to run water from municipal systems.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
7:33 p.m.
Firefighters jumping fences
Some Paradise Mountain neighbors are reporting that firefighters are jumping fences to turn off sprinklers left running after recent evacuations. Firefighters say the residential sprinklers reduce water pressure needed to for fire hoses.fires. are urging residents to keep sprinklers turned off.
Earlier this week, the fire's advance toward homes was slowed substantially by lack of fuel in areas that burned in the 2003 Paradise fire and by crews who guarded scattered homes in the Hell Creek basin. Sheriffs deputies worked hard to enforce an evacuation order, climbing fences at times as they went door-to-door through Paradise Mountain, an isolated rural community of roughly 400 homes.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
7:12 p.m.
County issues tips for cleaning soiled swimming pools
Swimming pools fouled by smoke and ash should be closed until they are cleaned, county Department of Environmental Health officials state in a notice. Officials recommend:
- Cleaning skimmer baskets of debris and skimming the surface with a net to remove floating material.
- Brushing the sides and bottom to loosen contaminants. Vacuum pool.
- Backwash and clean filter; discharge waste into sewer.
- Adjust pH to levels between 7.2 and 8.
- Adjust chlorine to a minimum of 2.0 ppm.
- Check filter pressure and flow meter.
- Repeat steps if needed.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
6:52 p.m.
Justice Department warns against fire-related fraud
Officials from the U.S. Justice Department are warning would-be swindlers that it will investigate and "vigorously prosecute" anyone who tries to illegally obtain federal assistance intended for wildfire victims.
To report suspected fraud, call the Justice Department's hotline at 800-323-8603 or 800-CALLFBI. Crimes can be reported online at the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov.
Frauds related to disaster relief include fraudulent charities, in which individuals falsely hold themselves out as agents of a legitimate charities, or create "charities" that are in fact shams; identity theft, in which the identities of innocent victims are stolen and assumed by criminals who defraud the victims; insurance fraud, in which false or inflated insurance claims are filed; and government benefit fraud, in which individuals file false applications seeking benefits to which they are not entitled.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
6:17 p.m.
County reports how to connect with pets
Wildfire victims who need to reach pets in closed areas should call the county Department of Animal Services at (619) 236-2341.
Dispatchers will request the names of callers and whether they are the pet's owner or caretaker; the exact address of the home; the number and types of pets and when they last received water or food. Dispatchers will ask callers whether they have keys to the home.
6:10 p.m.
Organization seeks volunteers
California Volunteers has connected more than 8,000 people to local volunteer centers. Anyone wishing to volunteer can call (800) 750-2858.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
6:03 p.m.
County reports wildfire deaths
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the county of San Diego has confirmed 14 fire-related deaths. The fatalities include seven directly related to the fires, three that occurred during evacuations and four that occurred after victimes were evacuated.
The deaths included a husband and wife who were found in the rubble of a completely destroyed house on Highland Valley Road in Poway. Victoria Katherine Fox, a 55-year-old female, and John Christopher Bain, a 58-year-old male, were identified by dental records as burn victims.
Four sets of unidentified charred remains were reported found today in the Potrero area. No further information is available.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
6 p.m.
Evacuations ordered at Lake Henshaw, Mesa Grande and La Jolla Indian Reservation
A mandatory evacuation notice has been issued for residents in the areas west of Hellhole Canyon, north of Palomar Mountain to Warner Springs, south of Bear Valley and Rancho Santa Ysabel and east of Montezuma Valley. Residents are asked to travel on Highway 79 to Highway S-2 to Highway S-22 to Borrego High School.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
5:52 p.m.
Feds approve $50M for disaster assistance jobs
The U.S. Department of Labor has approved California's request for $50 million to employ more than 3,000 workers in temporary disaster assistance jobs in wildfire areas. These money will pay for cleanup, rebuilding, local emergency transportation services and humanitarian purposes.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
5:46 p.m.
Clinics open for business
The Council of Community Clinics reports the following clinics are open for
business:
- Borrego Medical Center, 4343 Yaqui Pass Road, Borrego Springs. Call
(760) 767-5051.
- Comprehensive Health Center, 120 Elm Street, Suite 100, San Diego. Call
(619) 235-4211.
- Comprehensive Health Center, 3177 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego. Call (619) 231-9300.
- Comprehensive Health Center, 286 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite 302, San Diego.
Call (619) 527-7330.
- Imperial Beach Health Center, 949 Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach. Call (619) 429-3733.
- Indian Health Council, 50100 Golsh Road, Valley Center. Call (760) 749-1410.
- Wed Well Child Clinic, 110 School House Canyon Road, Santa Ysabel. Call
(760) 233
- La Maestra Community Health Centers, 4175 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. Call
(619) 285-8135.
- Mountain Empire Family Medicine, 31115 Highway 94, Campo. Call (619) 478-5311.
- High Desert Family Medicine, 44460 Old Highway 80, Jacumba. Call (619) 766-4071.
- Alpine Family Medicine, 1600 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine. Call (619) 445-6200.
- Escondido Family Medicine, 255 N. Ash St., Ste 101, Escondido. Call (760) 745-5832.
- Women's Center, 401 East Valley Parkway, Escondido. Call (760) 737-2020.
- Pennsylvania Avenue, 641 E. Pennsylvania, Suite 102, Escondido. Call
(760) 520-8200.
- Ray M. Dickinson Wellness Center, 425 N. Date Street, Suite 203, Escondido. Call (760) 737-2018.
- Escondido, 460 North Elm Street, Escondido. Call (760) 737-2000.
- Mountain Valleys, 16650 Highway 76. Call (760) 742-9919.
- North County Health Services, 426 N. Date Street, Escondido. Call (760) 690-5900.
- Carlsbad Family Medicine, 3050 Madison Avenue, Carlsbad. Call (760) 720-7766.
- San Marcos Health Center, 150 Valpreda Road, San Marcos. Call (760) 736-6700.
- Mission Mesa Women's Health, 2210 Mesa Drive, Suites 5 & 7, Oceanside.
Call (760) 757-5841.
- Encinitas Health Center, 629 Second Street, Encinitas. Call (760) 753-7842.
- Encinitas Women & Children, 1130 Second Street, Encinitas. Call (760) 943-9994.
- Oceanside-Carlsbad Health Center, 408 Cassidy Street, Oceanside. Call
(760) 757-4566.
- Ramona Health Center, 217 East Earlham Street, Ramona. Call (760) 789-1223.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
Updated at 5:37 p.m. on October 25, 2007
Qualcomm evacuees moving to fairgrounds
As of noon tomorrow, evacuees from Qualcomm Stadium will move to the center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. A fairgrounds spokeswoman said the shelter will remain open as long as needed. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a few hundred evacuees and 1,700 horses remained housed at the fairgrounds on Jimmy Durante Boulevard.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
5:36 p.m.
Officials: Rice fire caused by downed power lines
The Rice fire, the Fallbrook-area blaze that has so far charred 9,000 acres and destroyed 206 homes, was caused by downed power lines, said Roxanne Provaznik, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire, which has affected an estimated 35,000 residents, was 30 percent contained as of 5:23 p.m.
Updated at 5:30 p.m. on October 25, 2007
Poway posts new update on destroyed, damaged homes
Ninety homes in the city of Poway were destroyed by the wildfire, according to an updated list of destroyed and damaged homes the city posted on its web site this afternoon.
The list, updated at 2:30 p.m. today, is:
Homes Destroyed
17651 BOCA RATON LN
17661 BOCA RATON LN
14390 CHEYENNE TRL
14440 CHEYENNE TRL
14445 CHEYENNE TRL
14465 CHEYENNE TRL
17953 CIELO CT
17975 CIELO CT
18372 DEER VALLEY EST
18750 DEER VALLEY ESTS
17719 DEL PASO DR
17757 DEL PASO DR
15032 EASTVALE RD
15076 EASTVALE RD
15106 EASTVALE RD
14865 GAVAN VISTA RD
14908 GAVAN VISTA RD
14935 GAVAN VISTA RD
14936 GAVAN VISTA RD
18701 HERITAGE DR
14868 HIGH VALLEY RD
15051 HIGHLAND VALLEY RD
13210 HIGHLANDS RANCH RD
13220 HIGHLANDS RANCH RD
17952 HIGHLANDS RANCH PL
17979 HIGHLANDS RANCH PL
17982 HIGHLANDS RANCH PL
14310 HORIZON CT
14325 HORIZON CT
14326 HORIZON CT
14342 HORIZON CT
17820 JOYAS CT
17867 JOYAS CT
17899 JOYAS CT
15364 MARKAR RD
15460 MARKAR RD
15478 MARKAR RD
15518 MARKAR RD
15042 OAK CANYON RD
15112 OAK CANYON RD
15114 OAK CANYON RD
15134 OAK CANYON RD
15380 OAK CANYON RD
14960 OAK TRAIL CT
16951 OLD COACH RD
17087 OLD COACH RD
17474 OLD COACH RD
18049 OLD COACH RD
18111 OLD COACH RD
18116 OLD COACH RD
18120 OLD COACH RD
18159 OLD COACH RD
18201 OLD COACH RD
18570 OLD COACH WAY
18735 OLD COACH WAY
18770 OLD COACH WAY
13502 OLD WINERY RD
13541 OLD WINERY RD
15606 QUAIL MOUNTAIN RD
13956 SAGEWOOD DR
15140 SKYRIDGE RD
15159 SKYRIDGE RD
15204 SKYRIDGE RD
15210 SKYRIDGE RD
15223 SKYRIDGE RD
15231 SKYRIDGE RD
15250 SKYRIDGE RD
15257 SKYRIDGE RD
15335 SKYRIDGE RD
15362 SKYRIDGE RD
13411 ST ANDREWS PL
17660 ST ANDREWS DR
17664 ST ANDREWS DR
17704 ST ANDREWS DR
17714 ST ANDREWS DR
17720 ST ANDREWS DR
17749 ST ANDREWS DR
17754 ST ANDREWS DR
17844 ST ANDREWS DR
17868 ST ANDREWS DR
18385 SYCAMORE CREEK RD
18390 SYCAMORE CREEK RD
14341 TWISTED BRANCH RD
14366 TWISTED BRANCH RD
14376 TWISTED BRANCH RD
14386 TWISTED BRANCH RD
14650 VALLEYVIEW RD
14850 VALLEYVIEW RD
18555 WILD HORSE RD
18575 WILD HORSE CREEK
Quasi-Public Entity Destroyed
18372 SYCAMORE CREEK RD
Accessory Structures Destroyed
15011 HIGHLAND VALLEY RD
18118 OLD COACH RD
14409 RANGE PARK RD
14057 PAINTED DESERT RD
15328 EASTVALE RD
Homes Damaged
15325 SKYRIDGE RD
17728 ST ANDREWS DR
Update at 5:33 p.m. on October 25, 2007
Meeting for fire victims set
Some Scripps Ranch residents are organizing a meeting at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss rebuilding in Rancho Bernardo and Poway. The meeting will be held at Marshall Middle School, 9700 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. Contact organizer Bob Ilko at (858) 243-1235.
Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
Updated at 5:10 p.m. on October 25, 2007
Resources available in Rancho Bernardo
The San Diego North Chamber of Commerce reports the following resources are available to wildfire victims:
Hotels with vacancies: Courtyard by Marriott, 11611 Bernardo Plaza Ct.; Hilton Garden, 17240 Bernardo Center Drive; Radisson Suite Hotel, 11520 West Bernardo Ct.
Supplies: Griffin Ace Hardware in 4S Ranch, 10511 4S Commons Drive.
Moving & Storage: Bernardo Moving & Storage.
- Adam Kaye, Staff Writer
Update at 5:05 p.m. on October 25, 2007
Pomerado Hospital reopens
Pomerado Hospital has reopened after being closed and having to
evacuate patients because of the wildfires, hospital officials announced
Thursday afternoon.
Out of 77 patients evacuated from the hospital, 41 remain at various
hospitals throughout the county. The other 36 patients were treated and
discharged from hospitals they were transferred to, the news release
said.
The 41 patients who remain at other hospitals were made up 35 people
from the medical/surgical unit and six people from the intensive care
unit.
Pomerado Hospital officials are identifying the needs of each
transferred patient and working with the county to arrange ambulance
transportation back to Pomerado.
The Wound Care Center at Pomerado Hospital is expected to open
Friday.
Officials are planning to open the Villa Pomerado skilled nursing
facility tomorrow as well. A sanitizing crew is continuing to clean and
improve air quality inside the facility.
Family members of patients who were transferred from Pomerado
Hospital and not Villa Pomerado can call 858-613-4496 for more
information or visit
Update at 5:05 on October 25, 2007
Camp Pendleton roads and gates reopen
The San Onofre gate and Basilone Road are open to all traffic. Military personnel may return to Las Flores 41 Area and Las Pulgas Gate has reopened to outbound traffic. Las Pulgas Road is open westbound to Stuart Mesa Road but remains closed from Stuart to Las Pulgas 43 Area. Fallbrook residents who live between Morrow Hills and the Burma Road checkpoint may return to their homes. Camp Pendleton updates are posted at
Most county libraries reopening Friday
The San Diego County library is reporting the following branches will open
Friday:
4S Ranch, Alpine, Bonita-Sunnyside, Borrego Springs, Campo-Morena Village, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Casa de Oro, Crest, Del Mar, Descanso, El Cajon, Fletcher Hills, Imperial Beach, Jacumba, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Lincoln Acres, Pine Valley, Poway, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Spring Valley, Valley Center and Vista.
Branch hours and other information is available by calling (858) 694-2415 or visiting
http://www.sdcl.org/locations.html
Updated at 4:49PM on October 25, 2007
POMERADO HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NOW OPEN, AFTER BEING EVACUATED AND CLOSED
POWAY, CA - After an unprecedented move of closing Pomerado Hospital, and evacuating approximately 200 patients and 200 employees - the state department of public health has given Pomerado Hospital a clean bill of health, and is now back open to the community.
Villa Pomerado, the skilled nursing facility is not yet open. Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) expects to open the nursing home tomorrow, as a sanitizing crew will continue to clean and improve the air quality inside the Villa Pomerado facility.
On Monday, October 22, heavy smoke and flames came dangerously close to Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado. "At one point, we thought the flames were going to creep over the hillside, and destroy our facilities, says Steve Gold, chief administrator for Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado. "Our employees were armed with water hoses showering the surrounding trees in case the winds pushed the flames onto the campus."
Of the 77 patients evacuated from Pomerado Hospital, 41 patients still remain at various hospitals throughout the county.
The remaining 36 patients were treated and discharged from the hospitals they were transferred to
35 of the 41 patients are from the medical/surgical unit
6 of the 41 patients are from the intensive care unit
PPH officials are now in the process of identifying the needs of each transferred patient, and will work
with the county to arrange transportation via ambulance back to Pomerado Hospital.
"We are very eager to get our patients back," says Michael Covert, president and CEO of PPH. "Our staff and the other health care facilities have done a tremendous job helping us through this time. We're anxious to get back to normal operations and care for anyone in the community who may suffer from health problems caused by the devastating fires.
The Wound Care Center at Pomerado Hospital will re-open tomorrow.
If you have a family member that was transferred from Pomerado Hospital and not Villa Pomerado, please call 858.613.4496 for information or visit us at: www.pph.org
Updated at 4:26PM on October 25, 2007
Poor air quality prompts early closure of Escondido library
Escondido's main library and East Valley branch are scheduled to close early today because of poor air quality, but will open for normal hours Friday and Saturday.
The Bedtime Stories program scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at the East Valley branch is canceled. Meeting of EMPAC and the Sunset Woods homeowners scheduled for Thursday night at the main library also have been canceled.
Information about the library's hours and locations is available at
http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/library.
Updated at 3:56PM on October 25, 2007
Escondido updates list of damaged, destroyed homes
The city of Escondido has released an updated list of homes within the city and in the unincorporated area around the city that were damaged or destroyed in the fire.
The list is available at
http://www.escondido.org/wcfire/press/10-25d-07.pdf.
Updated as of 2:45 p.m., the list is:
Homes within the City of Escondido city limits:
3911 Sierra Linda Drive
1460 Queenston
1160 Sierra Linda Drive
1164 Sierra Linda Drive
1464 Sierra Linda Drive
1432 Sierra Linda Drive
1488 Sierra Linda Drive
1310 Sierra Linda Drive
1460 Sierra Linda Drive
1470 Sierra Linda Drive
1209 Sierra Linda Drive
841 Concerto Glen
843 Concerto Glen
4057 Vortex Place
1405 Valle Grande Drive
1435 Valle Grande Drive
1434 Victoria Glen
1444 Victoria Glen
3919 Tierra Vista Place
3925 Tierra Vista Place
3932 Tierra Vista Place
3940 Tierra Vista Place
4143 Vista Bonita
4139 Vista Bonita
1448 Vista Bonita
4130 Vista Bonita
1350 N. Escondido Blvd., Apt. Units 32 - 36
741 Fino Glen
743 Fino Glen
751 Fino Glen
753 Fino Glen
761 Fino Glen
763 Fino Glen
1153 Inspiration Lane
12 Coach Road
19 Stonepointe Drive
4148 Vista Bonita Lane
4150 Vista Bonita Lane
3510 Avenida Amorosa
3522 Avenida Amorosa
3542 Avenida Amorosa
201 Calle Florecita
232 Calle Florecita
3414 Lomas Serenas Drive
3418 Lomas Serenas Drive
3425 Lomas Serenas Drive
3426 Lomas Serenas Drive
1350 Sierra Linda Drive Homes in the unincorporated area of the county
Note: Owners of properties in the uncorporated area that have been damaged or destroyed but are not on this list should contact the Rancho Santa Fe Fire District at 858-756-5971 ext. 140
2800 Mountain View Drive
2810 Mountain View Drive
2756 Mountain View Drive
2762 Mountain View Drive
2680 Canyon Crest Drive
2682 Canyon Crest Drive
2686 Canyon Crest Drive
2696 Canyon Crest Drive
20605 Viento Valle
20845 Viento Valle
2653 Groton Place
176 Rancho Del Rey
2939 Sunset Hills Drive
2921 Sunset Hills Drive
1111 Via Valle Vista
1128 Via Valle Vista
1133 Via Valle Vista
1136 Via Valle Vista
3540 Via Ventada
3542 Via Ventada
3530 Via Ventada
3534 Via Ventada
1217 Via de Encanto
1218 Via de Encanto
1221 Via de Encanto
Updated at 4:02PM on October 25, 2007
Ramona working to fix water system
Tom Brammell, the general manager of the Ramona Municipal Water District, said this afternoon that there are two emergency generators pumping water through the town's damaged water system. He said, however, that the two generators combined are producing less than 50 percent of the power needed to deliver water effectively. The town's water system was damaged during the fires, and a reservoir in Poway supplying water to the area was largely depleted during the fires. Brammell said that even if residents returned right away they would not be allowed to use water for anything while the system is being repaired and while the reservoir is re-filling. He said that returning residents can initially expect to be able to use water only for bathing and for flushing toilets once the district says that's OK to do. He said he expects the system to be operating normally sometime between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. He said the county, not the district, determines when residents can return, and that the water situation is one of the factors in determining when to lift the evacuation. -- Staff Writer Colleen Mensching
Unsafe water alert issued for Ramona
Ramona residents are being advised to not drink the water because it may be unsafe.
Residents who may be in Ramona were urged to use bottled water for drinking and cooking as a safety precaution. Attempts to make the water safe by boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants or letting water stand also may not make the water safe, officials said in an advisory issued Thursday afternoon.
The Ramona Municipal Water District, County Department of Environmental Health and the California Department of Public Health issued the advisory because of the potential for contamination created by a loss of pressure to the water distribution system in Ramona. The pressure loss was a result of the Witch fire.
Officials said in the advisory that they do not know what kinds of contaminants may have been introduced into the water system until they are able to fully re-pressurize it and test it to tell if it is safe for human consumption.
Officials said they expect to resolve the problem within a week.
3:14 p.m.
Evacuation order lifted for Fallbrook
The evacuation order for the Olive Hill area of Fallbrook was lifted Thursday morning to allow some residents to return to their homes, a county official said Thursday.
All residents who can access their homes from Highway 76 to Burma Road in the Olive Hill area will be allowed to return to their homes, but photo identification will be checked.
Ron Lane, the director of the county's office of emergency services, announced the reopening of that section of Fallbrook during a news conference that began around 7:15 a.m. Thursday morning. By 1:35 p.m., the county had not made any announcements about any other areas of Fallbrook being opened.
Lane said this morning that areas of the community, including the downtown area, were not safe enough to allow residents to return, but that officials expected to be able to allow a "significant part of Fallbrook" to return home within 24 hours.
Fallbook man spent time checking on his neighbors' houses
As residents of the west end of Fallbrook begin to return, folks who decided not to leave the community are coming out of their homes.
One 61-year-old Fallbrook man, who asked that his name not be published, said he spent the last few days coming out only occasionally, checking on the homes from friends.
But as the fire danger appeared to turn well away from his home near the western edge of town, the man -- a 24-year resident of Fallbrook -- slipped out and headed to Albertson's market.
"I had to get an emergency supply of caramel apples," the man said.
Most of the shops in the town of 40,000 have been closed for the last few days -- but not all. Major Market, a popular grocery store in the area, remained open for grateful residents who stayed behind. And folks also stopped in at one of the town's popular, and surprisingly still open, donut shops in downtown.
Border Patrol agents assist fire response efforts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have responded to assist firefighters and law enforcement efforts during the wildfires while continuing to provide border security, the agency said in a news release.
A Customs and Border Protection agency Air & Marine blackhawk helicopter rescued eight firefighters near Riverside. Two other aircraft have helped with search-and-rescue efforts in the Jamul area, and additional aircraft are supporting searches and assessments in San Diego County.
Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue agents have fulfilled most county and federal emergency needs in the East County since the fires began and have managed communication between the Border Patrol and the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
Agents also are clearing canyons, looking for fire flare-ups and reporting them to proper authorities.
Border Patrol agents rescued six illegal immigrants who called 911 when they became trapped in a World War II-era bunker on Otay Mountain. Four severely burned illegal immigrants were located near Barrett Junction and were given medical attention, the news release said.
The Tecate border crossing is closed because of the fire, but agents from there have been sent to the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro crossings to assist with operations there.
Emergency food stamps available for some residents
County residents who lost homes or income as a result of the wildfires may be eligible for emergency food stamps, county officials announced Thursday.
Complete instructions and eligibility guidelines for emergency food stamps are available from the Public Assistance Information Line, (866) 262-9881.
Applications are available at two local assistance centers that already have opened at the Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Dr., and at Rancho San Diego Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.
Local assistance centers that are scheduled to open in Fallbrook and Ramona when evacuation orders for those areas have been lifted also will have the applications.
Applications will be accepted from Thursday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Nov. 3.
The United States Department of Food and Agriculture has made the emergency food stamps available for fire victims in identified disaster areas on a one-time-only basis if they meet specific eligibility requirements.
Families who already receive food stamps and were affected by the fires also may be eligible for increased levels of assistance.
- 1:28 p.m.
Water not an issue in Fallbrook
Keith Lewinger, general manager of the Fallbrook Public Utility District, said today at 12:30 p.m. that a key purification system at Red Mountain Reservoir was destroyed by the fire on Tuesday, an estimated $1 million loss. The chlorination facility was quickly replaced with a temporary system that went online around 11:30 a.m. today, Lewinger said, adding that the water supply is now "doing fine." He said there are no water system problems that would hamper re-entry efforts. "We're asking, when residents come back in, that they limit outdoor water usage, both in Rainbow and in the Fallbrook Public Utility District," Lewinger said. "If everybody turns their sprinklers on as soon as they get back into town, it's going to overwhelm the water system."
- 12.49
Carlsbad High evacuees moving to Escondido High
Reporter Noelle Ibrahim reports that the evacuation center at Carlsbad High School will be closed later today and people there will be moved to the evacuation center at Escondido High School. She said the number of evacuees at Carlsbad High has dwindled from a high of 200 to about 50 this afternoon. She says most of the evacuees have come from Fallbrook.
- 12:47 p.m.
Residents returning to Fallbrook
As residents of the west end of Fallbrook begin to return, folks who decided not to leave the community are coming out of their homes.
One 61-year-old Fallbrook man, who asked that his name not be published, said he spent the last few days coming out only occasionally, checking on the homes from friends.
But as the fire danger appeared to turn well away from his home near the western edge of town, the man -- a 24-year resident of Fallbrook - slipped out and headed to Albertson's market.
"I had to get an emergency supply of caramel apples," the man said.
Most of the shops in the town of 40,000 have been closed for the last few days -- but not all. Major Market, a popular grocery store in the area, remained open for grateful residents who stayed behind. And folks also stopped in at one of the town's popular, and surprisingly still open, donut shops in downtown.
- 12:43 p.m.
Rancho Bernardo family returns to ashes, but spirits are good
RANCHO BERNARDO - Sally and Tim John saw the remains of their Aquamiel Road home in Westwood for the first time around 11 a.m. Thursday, when a Farmer's Insurance executive escorted them into the neighborhood.
"We had seen photos (taken by relatives) so we had a vague idea what it looked like," said Sally John after she and her husband had walked around and looked at the rubble. "But it just hasn't sunk in yet, It's just so amazing."
The couple, who are in their mid-50s, said their first inkling of impending danger came at 4:30 a.m. Monday when they awoke and saw flames on the hills in front of and behind their home. The Johns had time to grab only a few items - some photos, a laptop and workfiles -- before fleeing the flames.
"I think I knew (the house was lost) when we left - when I saw the fireball up the hill and down the hill," Tim John said.
He said he and his wife lived in the area in the 1980s and never thought about fires then. Nor did the couple think they had anything to worry about when they moved back to Rancho Bernardo from the Midwest less than two years ago because they missed the San Diego area.
"(We have) 20,000 acres of San Dieguito River Park back there," Tim John said, gesturing to the rear of his property. "It never dawned on me that there could be fire."
His wife said she will miss mementos that the couple's children gave them and some other items including letterman's jackets her kids earned in high school. All were lost to the flames.
Still, "they always say things don't matter," Sally John said, "and they don't. That's so cemented in here," she said, patting the area above her heart.
Sally John said the fire is sure to leave a permanent impact on the neighborhood.
"It's never going to leave us," she said. "It's going to be a long haul."
Describing the area as one full of old fashioned neighborliness and spirit, though, Tim John said the couple will rebuild. In the meantime, they said, they are drawing comfort from the kindness of others.
"The hotel people have been wonderful," Sally John said, about the Oceanside hotel at which she and her husband have been staying. "And I've gotten hugs from strangers. The compassion …. that's the beauty that comes out of this."
- 12:16 p.m.
Ramona Chamber checking on homes
Staff Writer Colleen Mensching is reporting that the Ramona Chamber of Commerce is taking phone calls from residents wanting to know if their homes survived the fire. "They're getting addresses, checking out the homes, and then calling people back to let them know if their homes are still there," she said. If you'd like to know about your house, you can call the Chamber at (760) 789-1311.
Posted in Local on Friday, October 26, 2007 12:00 am Updated: 6:26 pm.
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