Tecate port of entry to reopen Monday

The Tecate port of entry will reopen to passenger vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

The port will resume its normal operating hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. All cargo trucks will still be required to enter and exit the U.S. at the Otay Mesa or Calexico commercial ports of entry until the roadways leading to the port are certified safe for large, heavy vehicles.

Boil water order for Young Life Oakbridge Camp

The county of San Diego has issued a boil water order for Young Life Oakbridge Camp, located at 27224 Hwy 78, Ramona, effective immediately.

Because of the fires, this public water system lost pressure in the water distribution system. The order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply.

Boil water order for Rancho Santa Teresa

The County of San Diego has issued a boil water order for Rancho Santa Teresa Mutual Water Company, located at 25056 Rancho Santa Teresa Drive in Ramona.

The order is effective immediately, and will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply.

Shelter closings

The following shelters are closed as of 5 p.m, Sat. Oct. 27, according to the American Red Cross:

- El Cajon Valley High School, 1035 E. Madison, El Cajon
- Escondido High School, 1535 North Broadway, Escondido
- The Rock Church, 2277 Rosecrans St., San Diego
- Santana High School, 9915 Magnolia Avenue, Santee
- El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside

Ramona residents warned about water

Ramona residents are warned not to have contact with municipal water. A Reverse 911 message was sent to residents with the following information:

- Municipal water delivery will resume Saturday and Sunday for Ramona residents
- Drinking the water is unsafe, even if the water is boiled
- The water should be used only in toilets and laundry
- Residents should avoid showering or bathing in the water; hot showers are available at the Ramona Rodeo on Aqua Lane
- Bottled water or hand sanitizer should be used when washing hands
- Bottled water should be used for brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and preparing food
- Outdoor water use is prohibited

This advisory remains in effect until further notice. Residents can find additional information online at http://www.sdcountyresponse.com/, or by phone at 211.

Boil water order for Hodges recreational area

The county has issued a boil water order for Hodges Reservoir Recreational Area at 20175 Lake Drive in Escondido, effective immediately.

The order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply.

The recreational area is closed until further notice.

Some areas near Witch fire open

Several communities affected by the Witch Creek fire are now open, according to county officials. They are:
- areas north of San Pasqual Valley Road and Hwy 78
- areas east of North Lake Wohlford Road and Valley Parkway
- areas west of Black Canyon Road and Sutherland Road, and
- areas south of Canal Road

Cleveland National forest is still closed for recreation purposes.

Poomacha update

Although other fires are still burning, the Poomacha Fire is the only one in the county with active flames along the perimeter, according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

As a result, about 2,690 residents of Palomar Mountain and Pauma Valley remain under an evacuation order tonight.

The update on the fire comes from fire officials who have been in contact with the county. Fire officials will evaluate Sunday whether to continue the evacuation order.

--Anna Cearley, staff writer

Fire control updates

Latest fire statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:
- The Harris Fire is 86,500 acres and 65% contained. Full containment is expected on October 31st and full control on November 4th.
- The Witch Fire is 197,990 acres and 75% contained. Full containment is expected on October 31st and full control on November 5th.
- The Rice Fire is 9,000 acres and 90% contained. Full containment is expected on October 28th and full control on November 5th.
- The Poomacha Fire is 46,000 acres and 45% contained. Full containment and control on October 29th.

--Anna Cearley, staff writer

Red Cross centers

The American Red Cross will continue to meet with people affected by the fires at the following assistance centers:
- Del Mar Fairgrounds, West Grandstands Lower Level, 2260 Jimmy Durante
Blvd., Del Mar
- Kiwanis Community Center, 25771 Potrero Valley Rd, Potrero
- Dulzura Community Center, 1136 Community Building Rd., Dulzura
- Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane, Fallbrook
- Ramona Community School, 1710 Montecito Rd., Ramona
- Rancho San Diego - Cuyamaca College at Student Services (near entrance
to college), 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy., El Cajon
- Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Dr., San
Diego.

All of the centers will operate from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The Rancho Bernardo Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The other centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturdays.

Visitors must provide a photo identification with ah ome address from an affected area to receive services.

--Anna Cearley, staff writer

Shelter closings

Two shelters set up for people displaced by the fires will close Sunday at 5 p.m.:

- Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, in Spring Valley

- Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Road, San Diego

-- Anna Cearley, staff writer

Seeking information

Fire and law enforcement officials are seeking the public's help in an investigation into William Reed Brock, 44, who was arrested Oct. 24 for impersonating a firefighter at the Rice fire.

Brock was detained in North County driving an older-model Ford pickup with personalized firefighter license plates. Inside the truck, authorities found fire equipment, including hoses, and clothing from fire agencies.

Authorities want to know if anyone has seen Brock at the fires or at fire stations. Contact Sheriff's Detective Clayton Lisk, (760) 451-3110, or Cal Fire Investigator Gary Eidsmoe, (800) 468-4408.

--Anna Cearley, staff writer

National Guard soldiers leave Qualcomm

San Diego - About 100 National Guard soldiers from the 1/184th Infantry Battalion and the 40th Infantry Division are leaving their posts at Qualcomm Stadium, where they helped discourage looting.

More than 2,600 National Guardsmen and women remain on duty, and they will assist local authorities with logistical matters and fire fighting efforts, according to the California National Guard.

--Anna Cearley, staff writer

Julian gets free Internet

Julian - Because of communications disruptions from the fires, Microsoft and the County of San Diego are providing free Internet access for Julian residents.

The Internet service is available at a specially equipped bus in the parking lot of the Julian Branch Library, at 1850 Highway 78. The bus includes computers with Internet access, printers, a WiFi hot spot, cell phones and an Xbox unit.

The bus will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until communications are restored to the area, according to a news release from the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

--Anna Cearley

BLM closes public lands

Boulevard - As a preventive measure, the Bureau of Land Management has issued an emergency closure of public lands in the McCain Valley Conservation Area, along the Boulevard section of East County.

This includes Cottonwood Campground, Lark Canyon Campground and Lark Canyon Day Use OHV Area.

Other areas affected include: Buck Canyon in Ranchita; Chariot Canyon in Julian; Rodriguez Canyon in Julian; and San Felipe Hills in Ranchita.

The closure doesn't apply to Bureau of Land Management personnel, owners or renters who need to get to their property, or those involved in fire-fighting activities.

"The extreme fire conditions currently in this area prompt us to issue this closure order in the interest of public safety," said Vicki Wood, BLM El Centro Field Office manager, in a news release.

The order will be lifted when the fires in outlying areas have been contained, according to the BLM.

-Anna Cearley, staff writer

No longer missing

There are no longer any fire-related missing people in the county, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Lt. Phil Brust said the agency received about 40 calls of people worried about missing relatives or friends last week, but all eventually showed up alive except for two found dead Thursday.

-Anna Cearley, staff writer

All Harris fire-area evacuations orders LIFTED

this from Cal Fire:

As of 3 p.m., all evacuation orders in the Harris fire area have been lifted for the following communities/areas:

Carveacre
Lawson Valley
Jamul
Potrero
Tecate
Dulzura
Barrett Junction
Engineer Springs
Deerhorn Valley
Indian Springs

There areas are open to RESIDENTS ONLY.

The following road closures REMAIN IN EFFECT due to road work:
State Route 94 at Barrett Smith East
State Route 188 and SR-94

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Raining here and there...sort of

Residents have been reporting rain falling in scattered locations around San Diego city and county.

The National Weather Service, however, says it has no measurable rainfall recorded anywhere in the county so far, and there is no storm system bringing rain to the area. They attribute the raindrops to residual moisture from the west and south.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Electricity restored for most, still out for many

this from San Diego Gas & Electric:

Electricity has been restored to 91 percent of the nearly 80,000 customers who have been without power since the fires began. By next weekend, that figure should be up to 97 percent.

Currently, about 6,700 SDG&E customers remain without power around the county.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

San Diego to tourists: We're still here

With the San Diego Zoo as a backdrop and a phalanx of tourism industry officials at his side, Mayor Jerry Sanders urged people here and elsewhere to shrug off the fires and visit San Diego.

"Our message to visitors across the world is that San Diego is open for business," Sanders said at the Saturday morning press conference.

The concern is that pictures and video of the fire's devastation that have been beamed across the world last week will scare people away.

One after another, officials pleaded San Diego County's case as a top tourism destination, even in the week following firestorms that burned more than 350,000 acres.

"The purpose today is to send out the message that the fires did not destroy San Diego's beauty," said David Peckinpaugh, CEO of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Peckinpaugh and others pointed out that almost all of San Diego's major attractions -- from the zoo to Sea World to the museums -- remained open throughout last week. And the Wild Animal Park, which did close early in the week as the Witch Creek fire roared through the San Pasqual Valley, is now open.

--David Washburn, staff writer

Backfiring underway on Palomar Mountain

This from Cal Fire:

Firefighters are setting backfires on Palomar Mountain, which has already been crested in places by the Poomacha fire.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Horno fire almost fully contained

Camp Pendleton Marine Base reports the Horno fire 90 percent contained. No word yet on when full containment is expected. The cause is not yeet known. No structures have been damaged.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Backfiring underway on the Harris fire

If you live in the vicinity of Wilson Creek and you see smoke coming up, you may be seeing backfires being set by firefighters to deprive the Harris fire of the fuels it needs to keep burning.

According to Cal Fire, backfiring began in that area yesterday and worked out well, so they're continuing with that this morning.

Elsewhere on the Harris fire, firefighters are putting in containment lines in Hauser Canyon near Barrett Lake.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Martin Mars: what happened with customs

In response to news media attention and public criticism of the delays in clearing the Martin Mars water bomber through customs last Wednesday, Battalion chief Greg Donnelly of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department provides this rundown of how the process actually worked:

"Customs agents from both San Diego and Los Angeles regions worked
diligently through the night on Tuesday to clear the crew and
logistical staff. All crew members were given a telephonic
clearance which helped expedite their arrival and availability to
initiate work."

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Road closures as of 9:30 a.m.

from the Sheriff's Department:

Valley Center:
Hwy 76 closed BTW Valley Center and state Route 79.

Ramona:
State Route 78 closed between Haverford to San Pasqual/Escondido.

Fallbrook:
N. Stage Coach Ln @ E. Mission Rd.
Hamilton Ln @ Gum Tree Ln.
Live Oak Park R. @ E. Mission Rd.
E. Mission Rd @ I-15/395
Gum Tree @ Live Oak Park Rd.
E. Alvarado St @ Live Oak Park Rd.
Reche Rd @ Live Oak Rd.
Canonita Dr. @ Wilt Rd.
Lake Tree @ Dead End by Wilt Rd.
Sage Rd. @ state Route 76.
Hwy 395 @ state Route 76.
Fallbrook High School

Jamul:
Lyons Valley/Skyline TT.
state Route 94 @ Honey Springs
state Route 94 @ Otay Lakes

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Martin Mars water bomber is flying

After first having to wait for customs clearance at the Canadian border and then held up by poor visibility due to smoke, the giant Martin Mars water bomber is now fighting fire in San Diego County.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials confirm that the World War II-era flying boat, named Hawaii Mars, flew three missions Friday, dropping a total of 10,000 gallons of water on the Harris and Witch Creek fires. It is expected to remain in the area to assist firefighters in San Diego County and elsewhere in Southern California.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Air assets deployed as of Sat. AM

Cal Fire has the following aerial fireighting assets deployed to the county's various fires as of 8:45 a.m.:

Witch Creek......0 aircraft
Harris..............2 helitankers, 3 fixed-wing tankers, 2 helicopters
Poomacha.........1 helitanker, 11 fixed-wing tankers, 13 helicopters
Rice Canyon......2 helicopters

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Cal Fire: "We're not out of the woods yet."

Amid all the increasingly optimistic reports coming out on the county's various fires comes this cautionary note from retired Cal Fire Capt. Fred Daskoski, recalled to duty for this firestorm:

Partially contained fires are just that -- partially contained. And time may not be on the firefighters' side.

"Until we can get some sort of control line around these fires, it’s still a major hazard," he said. "There a possibility of a new high-pressure system coming into this area in the next couple of days."

With that renewed high pressure could come renewed high winds and low humidity, the conditions that helped the county's mega-fires make their destructive runs in the first place, Daskoski said.

"It could actually blow some of these fires out again and we could be right back to where we were," he said. "I just hope people don't get back into their homes and let their guard down. We're not out of the woods yet."

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Poomacha fire now 45 percent contained

from Cal Fire:

The Poomacha fire, which has been burning parallel to the Witch Creek fire across North County, has containment lines around almost half of its 43,000 acres. It has merged again with the Witch Creek at its northern and southern flanks, and flames have crested Palomar Mountain.

Full containment is expected by Monday; no ETA yet on control. About 2,000 homes in the vicinity remain threatened. The fire currently is burning toward Lake Henshaw and Sunshine Summit.

Areas still of concern include Rincon and Valley Center, Hidden Meadows and Pauma Valley. Residents of those areas need to monitor fire conditions and information closely.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Harris fire now 50 percent contained

from Cal Fire:

Firefighters now have lines extended around half the footprint of the Harris fire in southern San Diego County. The fire has grown somewhat to 85,800 acres, but winds are barely moving at 1 mph.

Full containment is expected by Wednesday and control by Nov. 4.

Fire crews are putting special emphasis on defending the Campo, Hauser Canyon and Lake Morena areas, as well as high-tension power lines along the U.S.-Mexico border.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Witch Creek fire now 60 percent contained

Cal Fire reports that firefighters have extended their lines to 60 percent of the Witch Creek fire's perimeter and the acreage is still holding at 198,000. Full containment is expected for Wednesday and control by Nov. 5.

However, this fire also has several communities still considered to be under threat:

Julian, Wynola, Pine Hills, Cuyamaca, Santa Ysabel, Alpine and Ramona. Firefighters ask any residents still in those areas, even in areas where people have been permitted to return, to continue to monitor fire conditions and information closely.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Rice Canyon fire now 80 percent contained

Cal Fire reports the Rice Canyon fire, which has done so much damage to Fallbrook, is now 80 percent contained and still holding at 9,000 acres. Winds are calm and humidity in the area is at 54 percent.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

More North County roads reopen

Roads are open to residents and businesses only in the Pala and Rancho Heights areas, as well as in the Pauma Valley/state Route 76 corridor west of Valley Center Road to Interstate 15, Cal Fire announced.



Roads are also open in communities south of Lake Wohlford, including Bear Valley and Guejito Ranch.



Palomar Mountain, the La Jolla Indian Reservation and SR 76 from Valley Center Road to the Lake Henshaw resort area remain closed.





-Michele Clock, staff writer

Report of arson fire probed

A Cal Fire arson investigator is checking a report that someone set brush on fire in Valley Center, at North Lake Wohlford Road and Valley Center Road, a sheriff's official said.

A man called authorities about 10:40 p.m. saying he saw someone setting fire to the brush, and that he had put out the fire himself. No property damage or injuries were reported.

-Pauline Repard, staff writer

Del Dios evacuation orders lifted

All Del Dios residents may return to their homes, county officials have announced.

-Michele Clock, staff writer

Boil-water order issued for Jamul

County environmental health officials have issued another boil-water order, this time for the Sunrise Estates Mutual Water Co., 20560 Bee Valley Road, Jamul.


Fire caused that water distribution system to lose pressure, and officials want those who use the water to boil it first until lab results show no bacterial contamination.





-Michele Clock, staff writer

Latest fire facts

Here's our latest list of the five major fires in San Diego County and some key characteristics of each including acres burned, communities affected and number of homes destroyed. It does not include the seven evacuation-related deaths. (This is current as of 8 p.m. Some of the figures may have changed slightly since then.)

Witch Creek fire
Area: Communities include Cuyamaca, Del Dios, Del Mar, Julian, Pine Hills, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Rincon, San Marcos, Santa Ysabel, Wildcat Canyon, Wynola and parts of southern Escondido
First reported: 12:35 p.m. Sunday
Acres burned: 198,000
Containment: 30 percent
Structures burned: 1,061 homes, 30 commercial properties and 175 outbuilding destroyed. 62 homes and 10 commercial properties damaged. Also, 239 automobiles destroyed.
Resources: 2,883 firefighters
Fire deaths: The charred remains of a couple were discovered Wednesday in a burned home on Highland Valley Road in unincorporated Poway. The county's medical examiner identified the couple as John Bain and his wife, Victoria Fox.
Injuries: 22 firefighters and two non-firefighters
Cause: Under investigation

Harris fire
Area: Communities include Barrett Junction, Carveacre, Deerhorn Valley, Dulzura, Engineer Springs, Jamul, Lawson Valley, Mount San Miguel, Potrero, Tecate and the outskirts of Spring Valley and Chula Vista
First reported: 9:23 a.m. Sunday
Acres burned: 84,000
Containment: 20 percent
Structures burned: 97 homes, two commercial buildings and 17 outbuildings destroyed. 250 homes damaged
Resources: 1,341 firefighters
Fire deaths: Five people died during the fire, including four found yesterday in a canyon near state Route 94 and Highway 188 west of Potrero
Injuries: Seven firefighters, 21 non-firefighters
Cause: Under investigation

Poomacha fire
Area: Communities include Lake Wohlford, Lake Henshaw, Mesa Grande, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Valley Center and the Pauma, La Jolla and Rincon Indian reservations.
First reported: 4:10 a.m. Tuesday
Acres burned: 38,500
Containment: 20 percent
Structures burned: 50 homes destroyed
Resources: About 900 firefighters
Fire deaths: none
Injuries: 12 firefighters, four non-firefighters
Cause: Structure fire, investigation continuing

Horno fire
Area: Camp Pendleton, east of Interstate 5, and north and west between Las Pulgas Road and Border Patrol checkpoint
First reported: 9:19 a.m. Tuesday
Acres burned: 17,000. Also, two smaller fires on base burned at least 270 acres before being contained
Containment: 50 percent
Structures burned: None
Resources: Unavailable
Fire deaths: None
Injuries: None
Cause: Under investigation

Rice Canyon fire
Area: Bonsall, DeLuz, Fallbrook, Rainbow and Santa Margarita Creek area
First reported: 4:16 a.m. Monday
Acres burned: 9,500
Containment: 40 percent
Structures burned: 206 homes, including 120 mobile homes, two commercial buildings and 40 outbuildings destroyed
Resources: 1,073 firefighters
Fire deaths: None
Injuries: One firefighter
Cause: Downed power line

Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention

- Tom Mallory, U-T breaking news team

Latest fire story

Here's our latest overview story on the fires.

Also if you're still awake, you'll be able to find all the fire stories from Saturday's paper on the Today's Paper part of our site after 2 a.m. (Click on Today's Paper on the upper left of the homepage.)

- Tom Mallory
U-T Breaking News Team

Red Cross closes three shelters, services available at other sites

The American Red Cross has announced the closures of the following three shelters:

• Harrah's Rincon Reservation, 777 Harrah's Rincon Way, Valley Center
• Mount Miguel High School, 8585 Blosson Ln., Spring Valley
• Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr., Poway

No evacuees remained at the shelters, Red Cross officials said.

Red Cross volunteers will be available at these spots and times on Saturday for one-on-one meetings with families affected by the fires:

• Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar (West Grandstands lower level), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Potrero Commuity Center, 25771 Potrero Valley Rd., Potrero, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dulzura Community Center, 1136 Community Building Rd., Dulzura, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additional information can be found on the local Red Cross' website.



- Michele Clock, staff writer

New boil water orders for Dulzura, Tecate and Potrero

County enviornmental health officials have issued new boil water orders for the following water systems:

• Muir Industries Water System, at 445 Tecate Rd./SR-188, Tecate
• Tecate Vista Mutual Water Company, 444 Tecate Rd./SR-188, Tecate
• South Bay Rod & Gun Club, 1020 Marron Valley Rd., Dulzura
• Barrett Junction Cafe, Inc., 1020 Barrett Lake Rd., Dulzura
• Barrett Lake Mobile Home Park, 1250 Barrett Lake Rd., Dulzura
• Potrero Elementary School, 24875 Potrero Valley Rd., Potrero

- Michele Clock, staff writer

Latest county fire map

The county has posted a new map of the latest perimeters of the wildfires. The cleared evacuation areas aren't fully up to date, but the actively burning areas have greatly shrunk from what was shown on previous maps.


- Michele Clock, staff writer

Rainbow open to residents

Rainbow and some surrounding areas have re-opened, county officials said. The borders include:

• I-15 to the west
• Valley Center to the east
• Old Castle Road to the south
• Riverside county line to the north

-Michele Clock, staff writer

Turning back at roadblocks

As people who were evacuated from their homes return, the roadblocks around the perimeter of evacuated areas are frightening some people from returning home.

Some undocumented immigrants, or legal-resident families who have a relative in the country illegally, are choosing to turn around and go elsewhere until the roadblocks -- some staffed by Border Patrol agents assisting other law enforcement -- are gone.

Christian Ramirez of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker-affiliated human rights group assisting immigrant families, said the norm so far for acceptable papers has been that any sort of document with a person's name and address.

However, he said, seeing a uniform is all it takes for some.

"Folks, regardless of that, as soon as they see the Border Patrol, they are going to make a U-turn and go back," he said.

Ramirez said these situations have been cropping up as larger numbers of people return home from emergency shelters.

Throughout the week, Border Patrol agents have been assisting other law enforcement agencies with evacuations, traffic and perimeter control, and other duties.

"They are helping out," said agent Matthew Johnson, adding that the agency has not put up any tactical checkpoints to search for people here illegally.

- Leslie Berestein, staff writer

Del Dios reopened

Del Dios Highway between Rancho Drive and Elm Lane is now open, county officials announced.

More North County residents allowed home

Residents of the following North County communities have recieved a green light to go home, county officials announced tonight:

• Julian
• Wynola
• Cuyamaca
• Pine Hills
• Pala
• Rancho Heights
• Pauma Valley/Highway 76 corridor west of Valley Center Road at I-15
• Areas south of Lake Wohlford including the Bear Valley and the Guejito Ranch.
  

- Michele Clock, staff writer

Don't worsen air quality

State and regional air pollution officials asked residents to avoid using leaf blowers and shop vacuums to clean up ash, dirt and debris from the fires because those devices tend to re-pollute the air.

Fire ash is highly irritating to noses and throats and may trigger asthma attacks, air quality experts said. They said to clean with mops and vacuums with HEPA filters.

Particulate levels are forecast to remain high throughout the county. More information on air quality is available on the county's Air Pollution District website.

- Mike Lee, staff writer

Schools to reopen next week

San Diego county schools will begin to reopen next week, and it will be up
to each district to determine when it's safe to do so based on air quality issues, Bob Watkins, president of the county board of education, said Friday.

His announcement came at an afternoon news conference at the county's
Office of Emergency Services. School officials planned to huddle to discuss when best to reopen their campuses.

High school sporting events will be shut down this weekend and gym classes will be limited next week as schools reopen. Also, eight high schools that are currently serving as emergency shelters for evacuees will be used for that purpose through Monday.

They are Steele Canyon High School, Escondido High School, El Camino High School, Mount Miguel High School, Santana High School, Valley Center High School, Borrego Springs High School and Monte Vista High School.

- Matthew T. Hall, staff writer

Also, the shelter at Carlsbad High School has been closed and Carlsbad schools are to reopen Tuesday, district officials told parents Friday.
- Tom Mallory

Harris fire's acting up a bit

After a calm morning on the East County's Harris fire, firefighters had to scramble this afternoon when the fire started burning down Barber Mountain toward Lyons Valley, east of Jamul.

They made a stand to stop the fire from crossing Lyons Valley Road to keep it away from the few homes in the area, with firefighters staged around the houses.

They're still at work on it, but it looks like they have it under control.

That's because a group of Cal Fire firefighters were able to pose for a group picture in front of what's left of the worst fires in county history.

- David Hasemyer, staff writer

Destroyed homes and restored power

At the county's briefing on the fire held earlier today, County Supervisor Ron Roberts said countywide the number of homes lost stood at just under 1,300. Sixty-one percent of the destroyed homes are in unincorporated areas, mainly in Ramona and Fallbrook, 25 percent are in San Diego, and the rest are in Poway and Escondido.

Roberts said 12,600 people are still without power, but that service has been restored for 76 percent of those who lost it during the fires. He said meetings would begin next week to discuss debris removal, cleanup and aid.

On Tuesday, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders will ask the City Council to wave building and demolition permit fees to speed recovery.

Already street sweepers and sidewalk sweepers are going through Rancho Bernardo.

- Matt Hall and Sherry Saavedra, staff writers

Fallbrook's water safe, officials say

Fallbrook Public Utility District issued an advisory Friday afternoon to dispel what they said was inaccurate information being spread about the town's water supply.

"All water being delivered by FPUD is absolutely safe," said spokeswoman Noelle Denke. "There has been no contamination of the water supply and all water is being disinfected following normal procedures."

The utility's water chlorination facility was burned in the Rice Canyon fire but new equipment was installed Thursday.

Utility officials are asking residents to follow an outdoor watering schedule through Sunday to make sure there's enough water to go around. From midnight to noon is reserved for odd-numbered addresses. Noon to midnight is for even-numbered addresses.

"If everybody turns their irrigation systems on at the same time we will run out of water," Denke said.

- Mike Lee, staff writer

D.A. cautions against using unlicensed contractors

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office is warning victims of the San Diego wildfires to be aware of unlicensed contractors who may approach them during this time of crisis.

The D.A.'s office will investigate and prosecute unlicensed contractors, who face felony charges due to the declaration of a state of emergency.

Residents who are approached by unlicensed contractors should report them to the District Attorney's Office at 1-800-315-7672.

The DA’s office has jurisdiction over felony crimes committed in San Diego County.

Additional evacuation notices lifted

Evacuation notices have been lifted for Spring Valley and Jamacha, and partially lifted for Bonita, Sunnyside and San Vicente. Carveacre is still closed.

All of Spring Valley and Jamacha are open for reentry.

The following areas of Bonita-Sunnyside are open for reentry: north of Chula Vista, east of Chula Vista and San Diego, west of Highway 125, and south of Jamacha Boulevard.

The following areas of San Vincente are open for reentry: north of Interstate 8, east of Poway, west of San Diego Country Estates, and south of Highway 67.

Carveacre is still under a mandatory evacuation order. Japatul Road is still closed at Dehesa/Tavern Road. Japatul Valley Road south of Interstate 8 is closed.

- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Dehesa-Harbison areas re-open

The county announces that the following areas of the Dehesa-Harbison region are open for re-entry:

All areas north of Willow Glen Drive
All areas east of El Cajon
All areas west of South Grade Road and Tavern Road
All areas south of Interstate 8

Harris fire flares ups

Firefighters are battling some flare-ups in the Harris fire along state Route 94 in Hauser Canyon and Lyons Valley. Four helicopters were sent out to douse the flames.

There is no fire activity east of Ramona or in Alpine. Residents seeing smoke are viewing the Lyons Valley flare-ups, Cal Fire officials say.

- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Palomar Observatory to be shut down for weeks

All of Palomar Observatory's telescopes and sky-watching devices are shut down and sealed and fire crews have set up a base camp in the parking lot. Crews are using the observatory's 1 million-gallon water tank as a resource.

It will be weeks, however, before the observatory is back at work.

Scientists will have to wait until ash in the air and surroundings has completely disappeared before using the telescopes, said Shri Kulkarni, director of the Palomar Observatory and a professor of astronomy at Cal Tech.

"Obviously ash isn't good for the glass," Kulkarni said. "But we're still a fully functional observatory. It was a close call."

-- Scott LaFee, staff writer

Escondido schools back to school Tuesday

Escondido high school and elementary school districts will resume classes Tuesday. Cleaning crews started working Friday washing down ash, replacing heating and ventilation filters, and preparing schools for students' return on Tuesday.
Ed Nelson, superintendent of the high school district, said Escondido High School is still being used as an evacuation center but he expects the Red Cross will close the center by Sunday.
--Blanca Gonzalez, staff writer

Courts to reopen on Monday

San Diego Superior Courts will reopen to the public on Monday after a week-long closure due to the fires.

Court officials expect heavy traffic in the court system as residents try to find out about jury service or other court-related issues.

Prospective jurors who had been summoned to report for service during the week of Oct. 22 through Oct. 26 will be rescheduled. Those people should not show up in court. Jurors already serving on a trial should report to court on Monday at 9 a.m. unless they've received other instructions.

People involved in a civil lawsuit should contact the courtroom where their case has been assigned to get further instructions.

Anyone with business in the courts is urged to check out the court's "Frequently Asked Questions" section on its website at http://sdcourt.ca.gov

No more fire threat to city of San Diego

San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman said this afternoon there's no longer a fire threat to the city of San Diego.

However, Ron Lane, director of the county's Office of Emergency Services, said parts of the county are still very much at risk.

"There is still danger out there," Lane said at the county's 1 p.m. briefing on the latest fire conditions.

Jarman gave the latest totals on the city's fire damage: She said 10,700 acres have burned, 366 homes were destroyed and 34 other homes damaged.

County Sheriff Bill Kolender said that there are more than three dozen people reported missing in the county, and 18 of those are at risk because of health reasons.

- Matt Hall and Sherry Saavedra, staff writers

Well water available for livestock in Ramona

County officials say well water is available for livestock at the Ramona Rodeo at 421 Aqua Lane. This well water is not certified for human consumption, but has served livestock for years at the Rodeo Grounds.

Residents can bring their own containers for livestock water.

There is bottled water, portable bathrooms and showers available for people at the rodeo grounds, too.

Del Dios Highway re-opens

The Del Dios Highway was to reopen at 1:30 p.m.

The county reminds drivers to move through the area with caution, as there may be some downed powerlines across side roads within the community of Del Dios on which utility crews are still working.

County wildfires update

The Harris Fire is 84,300 acres and 20% contained. Full containment on Oct. 31 and full control on Nov. 4. There are 1,341 firefighters assigned. Cost to date $5.8 million. Approximately 500 more homes were ordered evacuated Thursday. 12 injuries to firefighters, 21 civilian burns and 5 civilian fatalities. Thursday, re-entry for residents only was allowed in the Thousand Trails, Potrero and Tecate neighborhoods. Today re-entry for residents only will be allowed in the communities of western Jamul.

The Witch Fire is 199,990 acres and 40% contained. Full containment on Oct. 31 and full control on Nov. 5. There are 2,883 firefighters assigned. Cost to date $7.5 million. 26 injuries to firefighters, 2 civilian fatalities. Conditions have improved in these areas to allow return of residents Poway, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego and Rancho Bernardo. The town of Ramona has been repopulated. SDG&E is beginning to re-establish utility service to some affected areas.

The Rice Fire is 9,000 acres and 40% contained. Full containment on Oct. 28 and full control on Nov. 5. There are 1,073 firefighters assigned. Cost to date $ $2,368,841. 3 injuries to firefighters. Portions of Fallbrook re-opened to residents today, anticipate gradual lifting of additional evacuations over the next several days.

The Poomacha Fire is 39,000 acres and 35% contained. Full containment on Oct. 29. There are 1,482 firefighters assigned. Cost to date $1.7 million. 12 injuries to firefighters. Continue structure protection and perimeter control. Continue firing operations as weather and conditions allow. Continue to assess the conditions in and around communities so as to allow for residents to return when conditions are safe. Continue to implement strategies to minimize the impacts to the Aqua Tibia Wilderness.

Red Cross delivering meals in Dulzura

Red Cross volunteers began delivering hot meals to people in Dulzura, Barrett Junction and Potrero today. The meals are available to people who stayed behind during the fire evacuations and who may be in need of food.

--David Hasemyer

Fallbrook water district says there's no contamination

The Fallbrook Public Utility District says there has been no contamination of the water supply and all water in Fallbrook is being disinfected according to normal procedures.
To avoid excessive water demand during the first 48 hours of residents returning to their homes in Fallbrook, the district is asking residents to limit outdoor water use according to the following schedule through the weekend:
* Midnight to noon -- for residents with odd-numbered addresses.
* Noon to midnight -- for residents with even-numbered addresses.
If all Fallbrook residents turn their irrigation systems on at the same time, the district will run out of water.
For more information, call (760) 728-1125 or go to http://www.fpud.com/.
-- Bruce Lieberman

Rincon Indian Reservation reopens

The Rincon Indian Reservation has reopened and tribal members are returning to their homes, according to a spokeswoman for the tribe

The evacuation center at Harrah's Rincon casino has transferred to Valley Center High School, but the casino remains closed for normal business, according to a casino spokeswoman.

Tribal members from the Rincon and La Jolla reservations who lost their homes can remain at Harrah's.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Part of Fallbrook still closed

County officials say the following portions of Fallbrook still remain closed:

* All areas north of East Mission Road, between Hamilton Lane and Old
Highway 395
* All areas east of Live Oak Park Road, between Reche Road and East
Mission Road
* All areas east of Wilt Road between state Route 76 and Reche Road
* All areas along Old Highway 395 from SR-76 to East Mission Road
* The corridor of Reche Road from Live Oak Park Road to Old Highway 395.

The majority of homes in these closed areas were not directly affected by fire. But county officials say it is not safe for residents to return to the area because of downed power lines, broken water mains and contaminated water, leaking gas valves and propane tanks an broken utility lines. In addition, there are still hot spots in the area thta are subject to flare-ups and there are areas at risk of landslide or erosion.

The county did not say when those Fallbrook residents might expect to return to their homes.

Qualcomm now cleared

The last evacuee just left Qualcomm stadium, keeping to Mayor Jerry Sanders' word that the temporary shelter would shut down by noon today.
Crews have started to pack up the extra supplies to send them to other charities, and stadium workers are on the field preparing it for Sunday's Chargers game.
-- Liz Neely, staff writer

Red Cross to serve food in Ramona

The Red Cross will start serving hot meals to Ramona residents at the
Ramona Senior Center at 434 Aqua Lane at 12:00 pm today.

Bottled water, portable bathrooms and showers are available at the adjacent Ramona Rodeo in Fred Grand Arena at 421 Aqua Lane.

Still more than 45,000 evacuees

Although many residents have been let back into their homes as the fire danger subsides, county officials say there are still an estimated 45,650 residents under mandatory evacuation throughout San Diego County.

Giant water bomber may not be used

After all the hassles and hangups to get the big Martin Mars water bomber down from Canada to use against San Diego County's fires, the window of opportunity to put the big flying boat into action here may have closed.

Its arrival Wednesday afternoon was almost a full day late due to problems clearing customs. It then was barred from flying Thursday due to poor visibility.

With the county's various wildfires now waning, fire commanders are debating whether any of their fires, though they're still burning, lend themselves at this stage to the abilities of the Mars.

Officials are considering sending the plane to make water drops on the Horno/Ammo fire on Camp Pendleton Marine Base, or to fires elsewhere in Southern California, according to a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman.

Meanwhile, the Mars contines to float in Lake Elsinore, awaiting a mission.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Clarification on Rancho Bernardo center hours

The county wants to clarify the hours at the assistance center at the Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center.

They are: Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Weather continuing to aid firefighters

Improving weather conditions continue to aid firefighters around the county. Temperatures remain slightly above normal, but the winds are lighter and humidity levels are climbing.
Dense fog moved in and moistened the atmosphere in the coastal areas Friday morning, but the marine layer did not make into the inland valleys and mountains. Humidity levels in the mountains remained in the teens.
National Weather Service forecaster Noel Isla said wind speeds should be in the 5 to 15 mph range Friday and Saturday. The light winds are a big plus for the firefighters, but they won't help the air quality, which is expected to remain poor for at least the next several days.
"There are no strong systems to stir it up or move it out," Isla said. No rain is in the forecast for the next 10 days.
Coastal highs are expected to be in the mid 70s through the weekend. The inland valleys should hit the low 80s, and the mountains should be in the high 70s.
East winds are forecast to return Sunday and Monday, but the forecasters do not expect them to be strong. Gusts should not exceed 25 mph.

-- Rob Krier, staff writer

Palomar Observatory no longer threatened

The Poomacha fire is no longer threatening any populated areas of Palomar Mountain, fire officials said Friday morning.
The fire is still active, but it is to the west of the historic Palomar Observatory in a rugged wilderness area that is inaccessible to firefighters.
Pat Bailey, an incident commander with Cal Fire, said the fire is burning into parts of the Pauma Indian Reservation and moving north toward the Agua Tibia wilderness area.
"We're in the mop-up phase now on the mountain," he said.
The fire also is moving slowly because there is virtually no wind on the mountain this morning.
Scott Kardel, a spokesman for the observatory, said firefighters may set up a base camp on the observatory grounds.
"We look pretty good right now. There are a lot of resources up here: many firefighters, bulldozers digging firebreaks," he said.
The actual dome housing the 58-year-old 200-inch telescope is fairly immune to fire. It's constructed of concrete and steel and actually serves as a refuge site in fire emergencies. Staff and residents at the observatory and nearby community, however, were evacuated Tuesday to other sites where facilities and provisions were better.


-- J. Harry Jones and Scott LaFee, staff writers

Chargers will play at Qualcomm Sunday

The Chargers will play Sunday’s game as scheduled at Qualcomm Stadium. The game against the Houston Texans will kick off at 1:05 p.m., Mayor Jerry Sanders said in a press release.

Fallbrook evacuees returning home

Confusion between police and fire agencies delayed the repopulation of Fallbrook on Thursday night despite an announcement that most of the town would be re-opened.
Fire officials on Friday morning said that South Mission Road and Gird Road were open off of Highway 76. East Mission Road remains closed while crews continue to clear and repair downed powerlines from the burned area.
Roughly 40,000 people were evacuated Monday when the Rice Canyon fire burned out of control.
The fire charred some 9,000 acres after being started by snapped powerlines. It has cost nearly $2 million to control.
-- Mike Lee

Parts of Valley Center, Rincon and San Pasqual can go home

Some areas of Valley Center, Rincon, San Pasqual and areas north of Lake Wohlford are now open to residents and businesses only.

The following areas remain closed.
Paradise Mountain/Skyline Ranch, Palomar Mountain from the state
Route 76 corridor in Pala to state Route 79, Pala Indian Reservation, Pauma Indian Reservation, La Jolla Indian Reservation and Rancho Heights including areas south of Lake Wohlford, Bear Valley and Guejito Ranch.

Evacuation lifted for west Jamul

People who live in western Jamul communities are allowed to return home. Residents will have access via state Route 94 and IDs will be checked.

Road closures will remain at Lyons Valley Road and the Skyline Truck Trail, Highway 94 at Honey Springs Road and Highway 94 at Otay Lakes Road.

Qualcomm shelter down to 60 people

San Diego Councilman Jim Madaffer says there are 60 people remaining at Qualcomm today, down from a peak of 10,000 earlier in the week. The emergency shelter at the stadium in Mission Valley is closing at noon, with evacuees being moved to indoor shelter at the Del Mar fairgrounds.

Bus service to Del Mar began at 7 this morning for evacuees.

Warm, dry weather will return Monday but without strong winds

AccuWeather.com reports that by Sunday, a light offshore flow will return warm weather and low humidity to Southern California.

However, meteorologist Ken Clark reports winds will be light and localized, unlike the hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that fueled the deadly wildfires earlier this week.

"Yesterday ... computer models were calling for an offshore flow returning with a possible light to moderate Santa Ana setting in on Monday," Clark says. "Today's model all point to warming over the weekend through Monday along with a drying of the air mass. But they are not pointing too much in the way of wind.

"I could see some localized offshore winds of 15 to 30 mph from later Saturday or Saturday night into Monday morning below some of the passes and canyons. I do not expect anywhere near the winds that occurred with the last Santa Ana."

Evacuations lifted for state Route 67 corridor

County officials say they have lifted an evacuation order for residents living along the state Route 67 corridor from the Poway city limits to Maple View Street.

Residents who live in and around Wildcat Canyon Road south of the Barona Reservation also can return home.

California wildfires at a glance

ASSOCIATED PRESS
7:57 a.m. October 26, 2007

California wildfire overall statistics:
Acreage: Nearly 493,000 (about 770 square miles).
Homes destroyed: More than 1,780, according to authorities.
Deaths: Three confirmed fire deaths, seven fire-related deaths. Authorities were investigating whether four burned bodies found Thursday east of San Diego were fire victims.
Injuries: About 30 civilians, 52 firefighters.

Major wildfires burning in California, by county:
San Diego County:
Witch Fire: Nearly than 198,000 acres (more than 309 square miles) in northern San Diego County from Witch Creek to Rancho Santa Fe. 30 percent contained. 1,061 homes and 30 commercial properties destroyed. Two burned bodies found in a charred home. Two civilians and 12 firefighters injured. Containment expected Sunday.
Poomacha Fire: About 38,500 acres (more than 60 square miles) on the La Jolla Indian Reservation and in northeastern San Diego County. 30 percent contained. 60 homes destroyed. Twelve firefighters injured.
Horno/Ammo Fire: About 20,000 acres (more than 31 square miles) on the Camp Pendleton Marine base. 80 percent contained.
Harris Fire: About 84,000 acres (more than 131 square miles) north of the border town of Tecate, about 70 miles southeast of San Diego. 20 percent contained. Ninety-seven homes, 17 outbuildings and two commercial buildings destroyed. One civilian killed, 21 injured civilians and seven injured firefighters. Containment expected Nov. 4.
Rice Fire: About 9,000 acres (more than 10 square miles) in Fallbrook in northern San Diego County. 30 percent contained. 206 homes and two commercial properties destroyed. One firefighter injured.

Ventura County:
Ranch Fire: More than 56,000 acres (more than 87 square miles) in the Castaic area near Piru. 81 percent contained. One home, eight outbuildings destroyed. One injury reported.
Orange County:
Santiago Fire: About 26,000 acres (more than 40 square miles) east of Irvine. 30 percent contained. Fourteen homes destroyed. Four minor injuries to firefighters.
San Bernardino County:
Slide Fire: More than 11,000 acres (almost 17 square miles) in Green Valley Lake area of the San Bernardino Mountains, east of Lake Arrowhead. 15 percent contained. At least 200 homes destroyed. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Grass Valley Fire: About 1,100 acres (about 2 square miles) in Grass Valley area northwest of Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains. 70 percent contained. At least 113 homes destroyed. No injuries reported.

Contained fires:
Los Angeles County:
Buckweed Fire: More than 38,000 (about 60 square miles) south of Agua Dulce in northeastern Los Angeles County. Contained. 21 homes, 22 outbuildings, two bridges and 40 vehicles destroyed. Three civilians and two firefighters injured.
Canyon Fire: More than 4,500 acres (about 7 square miles) in the coastal community of Malibu. Contained. Six homes, two businesses and a church destroyed, and nine homes and five commercial buildings damaged. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Magic Fire: More than 2,800 acres (about 4 square miles) in northern Los Angeles County, including Stevenson Ranch. Contained. No structural damage or injuries.
Riverside County:
Rosa Fire: More than 400 acres (about two-thirds of a square mile) near Temecula. Contained.

Santa Barbara County:
Sedgewick Fire: More than 700 acres (more than a square mile) near Los Olivos. Contained. No homes destroyed and no reports of injuries.

Agency employees play role of reporters at FEMA news conference

WASHINGTON – One way to get decent coverage in this rough-and-tumble city is to arrange to have your own employees interrogate you at your news conference.
That would seem to be the strategy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, much maligned for its sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina over two years ago.

FEMA scheduled an early afternoon news briefing on only 15 minutes notice to reporters here Tuesday to talk about its handling of assistance to victims of wildfires that were ravaging much of Southern California.

But because there was so little advance notice for the event held by Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the deputy FEMA administrator, the agency made available an 800 number so reporters could call in. And many did.

But at the news conference itself, some FEMA's agency employees played the role of reporter, asking questions of Johnson, The Washington Post reported in Friday's editions. Questions were described as soft and gratuitous.

“I'm very happy with FEMA's response,” Johnson said in reply to one query from a person the Post said was an agency employee, not an independent journalist.

Asked about this, Mike Widomski, FEMA's deputy director of public affairs, said, “We had been getting mobbed with phone calls from reporters, and this was thrown together at the last minute.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS

7:32 a.m. October 26, 2007

New county fire map, 8 a.m. Friday

Here's the latest active fire map from San Diego County.

Fog advisory in San Diego County

Visibility is limited in some coastal and inland areas of San Diego this morning -- but it's not because of smoke.



The National Weather Service says dense fog over coastal waters will extend inland, with visibility down to one-quarter mile or less at some locations. The dense fog advisory will be in place until 8 a.m.

Friday's top fire stories

Here's the top fire stories from Friday's U-T:

Fires down, not out
Death toll rises to 7; President Bush offers aid, sympathy
San Diego County began its recovery Thursday as thousands of evacuees returned home and firefighters made momentous progress against this week's wildfires. But in an irrepressible image of the inferno's ferocity, officials found six more charred bodies. President Bush toured the embattled region, comforting victims and promising help from his administration.

Some homeowners risk it all to stay and fight
Results vary when refusing to evacuate
It is a conflict that is replayed during every wildfire season, and especially in the past week: Time and again, authorities warn people to evacuate their houses when told to do so. And time and again, a handful of homeowners find it impossible to resist that most human of impulses: the urge to fight to save your own home.

Scripps Ranch veterans of '03 fire ready to help
Four years and one day ago, the Cedar fire began its destructive march through San Diego County, charring hillsides and leaving blocks of smoldering rubble behind. But from the ashes of the most destructive fire in state history, something else emerged: a possible blueprint for rebuilding houses and neighborhoods.

Aerial response delays blamed on Santa Ana winds, bad timing
Bush's visit cheers some, irks others
Witch Creek fire kills county couple
Fire facts
Ramonans home after irksome day at roadblock
Witch Creek fire fierce from start
Katrina evacuees' 4S Ranch home spared
Stadium to start moving evacuees
Q&A with Michael Chertoff
Community profiles

Also, from our local news pages:
Small-town spirit has survived
Glimmers of hope arise in Fallbrook
Friday afternoon, Jeff Tiffany stood by his truck a few yards from the destroyed house on Los Alisos he shared with his 81-year-old mother and nervously eyed the road for looters. His face etched with exhaustion and his jeans and T-shirt blackened with soot, Tiffany, 50, moved slowly toward the ruins of his house. He had lived there since he was a child, he said.

Confusion mars journey home
Evacuees struggle to re-enter their neighborhoods
Confusion has crept into some fire-afflicted areas as impatient evacuees have tried to make their way back to the homes they fled this week. The last communities in the city of San Diego were cleared for residents to return yesterday, but in other parts of the county, some people struggled to learn whether they could enter their neighborhoods or if they had to move to different shelters.

Gerry Braun: Post-fire tasks for our local politicians
Ashy air's ill effects sideline hundreds; Doctors treat rise in breathing problems
Stress over crisis takes its toll; help is available; Emotional reactions normal, experts say
Church holds service for the thankful faithful; 57 of its families lost homes to Witch fire.

- Tom Mallory, Breaking News Team

No new evacuations, but fires far from out

No new evacuation orders have been issued over the past couple of hours, a Cal Fire spokesman said. But several communities are still threatened, as winds continue to push the fires eastward.

The Poomacha fire is still menacing Palomar, the area near the Palomar Observatory, and the Mesa Grande Indian Reservation.

The Witch Creek fire is threatening areas near Santa Ysabel, and the Harris fire is actively burning in the Hauser Canyon area, Cal Fire said.

Winds were pushing the Witch and Poomacha fires at up to 10 mph, the Harris fire at 3 mph and the Rice Canyon fire at 5 mph.


- Michele Clock, staff writer

New map, latest fire facts

County and fire officials have released an updated version of the fire map. The bad news: The fires aren't out yet. The good news: The red areas showing the active fires are much smaller than they were before, and the areas being reopened are growing.
Here's the latest breaking news overview story on the fires. You'll find a lot more stories listed on SignOn's homepage.

Also, here's the U-T's latest list of facts on the county's major fires:

HARRIS FIRE

• Time started: 9:23 a.m. 10/21
• Acreage: 84,000 acres
• Containment: 20 percent
• Containment expected: Oct.31
• Cost: $2.5 million
• Injuries: Seven firefighters, 21 civilians
• Deaths: 5 during the fire, including 4 badly burned bodies found Thursday a canyon near state Route 94 and Highway 188 just west of Potrero; 3 deaths related to evacuations
• Firefighters: 1,341 firefighters
• Engines: 45, three dozers, 20 water tenders
• Air resources: two helicopters, two helitankers, three airtankers
• Area: Fire is burning near Lyons Valley Road and the Hauser wilderness area. (5 p.m. Oct.25 ) Moving to the northeast toward Lyons Valley Road, east of Jamul. Barrett Lake and areas northwest of there also are areas of concern. (Oct. 25 9:13 a.m.) Active structure protection in Lyons Valley
• Evacuations: The communities of Lawson Valley and Carveacre have been ordered to evacuate. Residents evacuated from Potrero and Tecate as a result of the Harris Fire were allowed to return home. Areas under evacuation order are Barrett Junction, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Springs, Indian Springs, Jamul, North Jamul. Evacuation order also in place for Tecate Border Crossing. Evacuations lifted from the Point in Spring Valley, Otay Lakes Road to Pio Pico Thousand Trails.
• Cause: unknown
• Structures destroyed: 97 homes, 2 commercial buildings, 17 outbuildings
• Structures damaged: 250
• Structures threatened: 1,500

WITCH CREEK FIRE

• Time started: 12:35 p.m. 10/21 in community of Witch Creek on state Route 78
• Acreage: 198,000
• Containment: 30 percent
• Area: The fire is not burning, but there are smoldering spots in the fire area. Communities include Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, parts of southern Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Del Dios, Poway, Ramona, Lakeside, San Marcos, Rincon and Wildcat Canyon
• Containment expected: Oct. 31
• Cost: $5.3 million
• Homes burned: 1,061 homes, 175 outbuilding and 239 automobiles destroyed. 62 residences damaged
• Injuries: 22 firefighters
• Deaths: The charred remains of a couple was discovered Wednesday in a burned home on Highland Valley Road in unincorporated Poway. Preliminary identification as married couple John C. Bain and Victoria Fox. Two people died while being evacuated
• Firefighters: 2,883
• Engines: 89, 71 water tenders, 16 dozers
• Air resources: none or not available
• Neighborhoods evacuated: Evacuation order lifted for North Rancho Bernardo, all of Escondido, all parts of 4S Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe and the surrounding area except for Del Dios Highway and the community of Del Dios, Highway 67 corridor from Ramona to Lakeside 4S Ranch, Rancho San Diego, Pine Hills Road and Wynola Road in Julian. San Pasqual Valley, Ramona, parts of Poway, High Valley, Bridlewood Country Estates, Stoneridge, Heritage, Old Coach, Old Winery, Witch Creek area, Old Julian Highway, and the north east side of the San Diego Country Estates, San Marcos, Valley Center. Also: Highland Valley, San Diego: Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Wild Animal Park; Mt. Woodson development in west Ramona; Escondido, Lakeside, Barona Indian Reservation, Rancho Santa Fe; Alpine, Crest, Harbison Canyon
• Evacuation Centers: Valley Center High School, Borrego Springs High School, Poway Community Center, Mira Mesa High School
• Cause: under investigation
  

RICE CANYON FIRE

• Time started: 4:16 a.m. on 10/22 in Rice Canyon
• Acreage: 9,500
• Containment: 40 percent
• Containment expected: Oct 28
• Cost: $1.3 million
• Homes burned: 206 homes, including 120 mobile homes; two commercial buildings and 40 outbuildings destroyed
• Injuries: 1 firefighter, minor injury
• Deaths: 1 evacuation death
• Firefighters: 1,073 firefighters
• Engines: 35, 17 water tenders, 8 dozers
• Air resources: 6 helicopters
• Area: Fire is not burning, but there are smoldering hot spots in DeLuz, Fallbrook, Rainbow and Bonsall
• Neighborhoods evacuated: Evacuation order lifted for residents of southwest Fallbrook, but rest of community still under evacuation order
• Cause: Downed power lines

POOMACHA FIRE (Merged with Witch Canyon fire)

• Time started: 3:13 a.m. on 10/23 in area of La Jolla Indian Reservation
• Acreage: 38,500
• Containment: 30 percent
• Containment expected: Oct. 29
• Cost: $950,000
• Homes burned: 60
• Injuries: Twelve firefighters, four civilians
• Deaths: none
• Firefighters: 1,406
• Engines: 43, 16 bulldozers, 21 water tenders
• Air resources: 6 helicopters, 1 helitanker, 10 airtankers
• Area: Fire is burning on Palomar Mountain.
• Neighborhoods evacuated: La Jolla Indian Reservation, All of Palomar Mountain. Mandatory evacuation of Lake Henshaw, Mesa Grande, and La Jolla Indian Reservation. Evacuation order partially lifted for Valley Center. The following areas will remain closed: Paradise Mountain/Skyline Ranch; Palomar Mountain; the Highway 76 corridor from the Pala area to Highway 79; the Rincon, Pala, La Jolla, Pauma and San Pasqual Reservations; the Lake Wohlford area. Communities include Valley Center, Mount Palomar, Pauma Valley and the Pauma and Rincon Indian reservations.
• Cause: House fire, under investigation.

HORNO FIRE

• First reported: 1:15 p.m. 9:19 a.m. Tuesday
• Acres burned: 17,000
• Containment: 50 percent
• Structures burned: none
• Resources: Information not available
• Deaths: none
• Injuries: none
  Area: Camp Pendleton, east of Interstate 5 and north and west between Las Pulgas Road and Border Patrol checkpoint
• Cause: Under investigation

Bottled water at Ramona rodeo grounds

Ramona residents can pick up bottled water at the Ramona rodeo grounds between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The rodeo grounds are located at 421 Aqua Lane.

-- Michele Clock, staff writer

Boil Water Order for Rainbow Water District

Rainbow Municipal Water District customers have been advised to use boiled tap water or bottled water.
State and local authorities tonight asked customers of that district, located north of Highway 76, to drink and cook with boiled tap water or bottled water as a safety precaution.
--Michele Clock, staff writer

Poomacha fire update

With the newest evacuations Thursday night from the Poomacha fire, the evacuation center in Borrego High School has grown to nearly 400 people, with many more people camping outside the school and coming in for meals.

Shelter manager Dan Hoffman of the Red Cross said some people left to return to their homes while new ones came in. Evacuees from Ramona and Julian especially have been frustrated repeatedly for the last few days since they leave believing they can finally return home, only to find the roads blocked again and have to return to the shelter.

Meanwhile, the latest evacuation for the Witch fire in Lake Henshaw and Mesa Grande was ordered Thursday night so firefighters can work a backfire to cut off the flames, said CalFire Division Chief Steve Gasaway.

The Witch and Poomacha fires have met up around Palomar Mountain as officials feared they would, so the firing operation could help slow the combined rage of flames.

The area near the legendary telescope on Palomar remains in danger from fire, but Gasaway said the increase in resources to fight the Poomacha fire has helped bring it down to 30 percent controlled.

"I wouldn't say it's out of danger," said Gasaway. "Things tend to burn better at night. There's no guarantees."

--Lisa Petrillo, staff writer

Qualcomm closes as shelter

In case you missed it, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced this afternoon that Qualcomm Stadium will close as a shelter Friday at noon, and that any evacuees still homeless will be moved to shelters closer to their homes or to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Sanders also said the American Red Cross will take responsibility for the evacuees. The mayor said that Qualcomm cannot accommodate evacuees for an extended period because it doesn't have showers or a roof for folks to sleep under.
- Chris Moran, staff writer

Ramona evacuation order lifted

Ramona residents are allowed to return to their homes as of 7:15 p.m. via the following routes of reentry only:

Highway 67 from Poway
Highway 78 from Julian

-- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Fallbrook evacuation partially lifted

Fallbrook residents who live within the following boundaries are allowed to return to their homes as of 7 p.m.:

West of Gird Road between Highway 76 and Reche Road
West of Reche Road from Gird to Live Oak Park.
North of 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.

-- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Most of Fallbrook reopened

Most of Fallbrook is open to evacuees who want to return home, state fire officials said Thursday. Earlier in the day, they said Friday would be the earliest date for re-entry.

Residents can return to homes as far east as Gird Road and to areas
accessible from South Mission Road, a fire agency spokesman said. Roughly 40,000 people were evacuated on Monday as the Rice Canyon fire burned out of control.

The area that remains off-limits is in the eastern section of town that sustained heavy fire damage. That means that police will continue to block access to East Mission Road off of Interstate 15.

Evacuation orders still are in effect generally between the interstate and Stagecoach Lane in the northeast and along East Reche Road to Live Oak Park. It's not clear when those areas will be rid of downed power lines and other threats to public safety that officials say make repopulation unsafe.

For the rest of town, evacuation orders were lifted because the Fallbrook Public Utility District on Thursday rebuilt a chlorination facility at Red Mountain. The equipment had burned in the fire.

Fire officials said for the first time Thursday that the blaze was sparked by a power line that snapped in heavy winds east of the interstate. An estimated 9,000 acres and 20,000 avocado trees were burned, along with roughly 250 homes and other structures.

The fire is expected to be fully contained by Sunday. The cost to fight it has topped $1.2 million.

- Mike Lee, staff writer

Residents allowed back to Ramona

County supervisor Dianne Jacob announced at a press conference tonight that residents of Ramona are allowed back into the community.
Ramona Municipal Water District customers, however, still cannot use water.
The flap over residents' return to Ramona started earlier today.
Delays had caused tempers to flare as hundreds of residents were blocked from returning to their homes.
"I said earlier in the day in regards to the Ramona situation," Jacob said during tonight's conference, "If there is no public safety risk, if there is public health risk, and people would agree not to use any water, then why not allow them to sleep in their own beds tonight?"
Jacob went on to say that the "water shortage" in Ramona was a "very, very serious problem" but that she had confidence residents would do the right thing and not use the water.

- Michele Clock, staff writer

2 fire victims' ID confirmed by dental records

County officials say a husband and wife found in the rubble of their destroyed house in unincorporated Escondido have been positively identified through dental records.

Victoria Katherine Fox, 55, and John Christopher Bain, 58, were found inside their home on Highland Valley Road.

Another looting arrest

This afternoon the Border Patrol stopped a man walking in the Jamul Area carrying a backpack.

He was found to be in possession of a woman’s purse filled with costume jewelry.

He was identified through fingerprints as a Mexican citizen. It was determined that he had a felony warrant out of Riverside County.

He was arrested for the felony narcotics warrant and on suspicion of looting. He is currently being held in the San Diego County Central Jail.

- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Sanders believes Qualcomm can be ready for Chargers

Mayor Jerry Sanders said at a news conference at the county emergency operations center at about 4 p.m.:
"We've been in continuing discussions with the San Diego Chargers about where they want to play this week. The team is also speaking with the NFL, but the team has not made a final determination on where they intend to play this weekend.
"We believe Qualcomm can be ready. I think that issues really revolve around -- from what I understand -- air quality, and also the Chargers were concerned about taking public safety personnel off the street during a time like this to police a football game if there's still a problem, so we're still continuing those discussions."
A broadcast reporter asked if a game would be great for the city.
"I think the city ought to feel real good about the way it's responded to this crisis already. And I think a lot of people in the city and county of San Diego have done an incredible job working together to house and feed and do a lot of things. I certainly think a football game would be nice, but I don't know that that's the only thing people are focused on at this point."
-- Chris Moran, staff writer

More areas told to boil water

The county's Department of Environmental Health has issued orders to boil water in these locations:

Dulzura Café, 17023 Highway 94, Dulzura
Skyline Ranch Campground,17120 Skyline Truck Trail, Jamul
Potrero General Store, 25125 Highway 94, Potrero
Set Free Ministries, 18985 Highway 94, Dulzura

These water systems lost pressure because of the wildfires. As a precaution, the county is advising boiled water until laboratory results show the water is free from bacteria.

The order will remain until the water distribution system has been disinfected and samples confirm the absence of bacteria, county officials said.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Kolender on Ramona unrest

Sheriff Bill Kolender said at a news conference at 4 p.m.:

"We understand the frustration of those who are in Ramona and other places, and I just want to reaffirm to them and those of you who are watching that we are there to protect you, to see that you can go back into your homes safely, and there are conditions that you must be aware of and that is not just the environment, but water and power and all that.

"In some areas, particularly Ramona, some of the residents have become quite angry, and they have driven a car into one of our law enforcement vehicles. They have been arrested and we have had several confrontations, and I just want to reiterate that the performance of those in law enforcement will treat you with dignity to let you know that we care and that we will be responsible, and I want you to do the same thing.

"I expect the public to treat with dignity those law enforcement officers that are doing their best to get you back in your homes safely."

-- Chris Moran, staff writer

Qualcomm evacuees will move to fairgrounds

The Del Mar Fairgrounds will become the official American Red Cross shelter for any evacuees still at Qualcomm Stadium, fairgrounds spokeswoman Kina Paegert said.

The switch will happen tomorrow at noon.

It is unclear how many people will transfer locations, Paegert said.

This morning, 88 people were staying at the fairgrounds' evacuation shelter, which can accommodate 2,000, she said.

-- Matthew Rodriguez, staff writer

Pomerado Hospital reopens

Pomerado Hospital, including its emergency department has reopened, officials announced today.

The 107 bed acute-care hospital was evacuated and closed Monday due to approaching flames and heavy smoke.

More mandatory evacuations

County officials say they've called for the mandatory evacuation of Lake Henshaw, Mesa Grande and the La Jolla Indian Reservation because of fire danger.

Residents who are west of Hellhole Canyon, north of Palomar Mountain to Warner Springs, south of Bear Valley and Rancho Santa Ysabel and east of Montezuma Valley are under a mandatory evacuation notice.

Evacuees should take state Route 79 to S-2 to S-22 to Borrego High School.

Cal Fire spokeswoman Audrey Hagen said she thinks the evacuations were prompted by the Poomacha fire. "It's not moving fast or at a rapid rate. It is just a concern and they did it as a precaution," she said.

Rainbow, Fallbrook get water warning

The Rainbow Municipal Water District is advising customers north of state Route 76 to boil their water.

Dave Seymour, general manager of the water district, said the advisory affects about 4,500 customers in parts of Rainbow and Fallbrook.

Seymour said it will take at least two or three days to test water and make sure it's not contaminated after firefighting helicopters dipped into some open storage reservoirs.

Some residents were expected to return Thursday after being evacuated Monday.

-- Blanca Gonzalez, staff writer

Sanders: Game decision is up to Chargers

Whether the Chargers host the Houston Texans this weekend at Qualcomm Stadium is up to them, Mayor Jerry Sanders said this afternoon.

"Should they decide to play in San Diego, the stadium will be ready on Sunday," said Fred Sainz, the mayor's spokesman. "It's their decision to play in San Diego or not."

The Chargers had no comment as of 5:20 p.m. but could have one later, spokesman Bill Johnston said.

Earlier today, Chargers officials were optimistic the game would be played in San Diego, perhaps on Monday night.

In Houston earlier today, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said today he didn't know anything for sure, "But the indications to us were that we were going to play on Monday night in San Diego. That's the last thing I've been told."

The Chargers had been deferring to Sanders until the mayor's statements
around 5 p.m.

A decision by the Chargers would bring to a close a week of uncertainty that saw the team leave Tuesday for Arizona with the idea they might remain on the road for a game.

Qualcomm Stadium has fewer than 400 evacuees remaining, and the stadium is going to be closed as a shelter tomorrow.

The league and Chargers had considered playing the game in Dallas had the mayor said Qalcomm was not an option.

The Chargers will practice for a third straight day tomorrow in Tempe, Ariz., and then plan on returning home.
-- Kevin Acee, STAFF WRITER

No more bodies found in canyon

Border Patrol agents have finished searching Potrero Creek Canyon where four people were found dead earlier this afternoon and have found no additional bodies.

Border Patrol: Four bodies may have been border crossers

The U.S. Border Patrol said four bodies discovered near state Route 94 may be those of people who were trying to cross the border illegally.
Agent Matthew Johnson said that earlier in the week agents rescued a group border crossers in the area who said there were more people. "We looked for them, but the fires came up, and we didn't find them," he said.
There were three men and one woman found, Johnson said, and their deaths appeared to be fire-related. He added that it is possible that these were not illegal border crossers, but local residents trying to flee their homes.
Since the fires began Sunday, the agency has apprehended more than 200 individuals in the fire zone, many of whom have given themselves up to agents and firefighters to be rescued.
According to the Mexican consulate in San Diego, six Mexican nationals rescued Monday while trying to cross illegally near Tecate were hospitalized with burn injuries, with one in critical condition with second-degree burns.

--Leslie Berestein

Boil water in parts of El Cajon and Lakeside

Padre Dam Municipal Water District has issued an order to boil water after a water main broke on East County Drive in the El Cajon-Lakeside area.

The order affects about 207 customers, all of whom have been notified through the reverse 9-1-1 system, officials said.

Ramona water problems could take days to fix

Ramona is no longer threatened by fire, but residents remain locked out of the community because of a major water problem.
Ramona's water operations manager, Ron Mulick, said he doesn't know when water will be restored and said it may be a couple of days before the "extreme water crisis" is over.
To make matters worse, residents who did not evacuate or who snuck back in are hampering the agency's efforts by turning meters back on and using the water for everything from irrigating their lawns to flushing the toilets, Mulick said.
The delays are causing tempers to flare as hundreds of residents are blocked from returning to their homes.
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob placed the blame on the municipal water district. She also said officials there worked regular hours this week when they should have been on overtime trying to address the problems. Water officials said they have been working non-stop since Tuesday morning when they got an alarm about low water pressure.
Read the full story. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071025-1640-bn25ramona.html

Re-entry: Tecate residents and those on Otay Lakes Road to Thousand Trails

County reports: Citizens residing on Otay Lakes Road to Thousand Trails may return to their homes.

Citizens residing in the community of Tecate may return to their homes; the Tecate Border Crossing remains closed.

Air quality is unhealthy but improves tomorrow

County officials say air quality in San Diego County remains unhealthy, especially in Oceanside and Chula Vista.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for slightly better air quality in the more populated parts of the county, they said, but the more smoky areas will continue to be unhealthy for everyone and the fire-damaged areas will be unhealthy for people with respiratory issues.

Limit prolonged outdoor exertion until the weekend, officials said.

The county is advising people to take special precautions when cleaning up ash. Most important: Lightly mist indoor and outdoor hard surfaces before gently sweeping ash. On lightly dusted areas, a damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed.

Jen Steele, staff writer

Countywide fire map as of 4 p.m.

Due to changing winds and fire conditions, the perimeters shown here may not be exact. The fire perimeters are constantly changing and weather conditions make it difficult to define the fire boundaries.
This map was developed using preliminary CAL FIRE and field reports.

Click here: Fire map, 4 p.m.

San Pasqual Reservation goes back

Residents evacuated from the San Pasqual Reservation may reenter large swaths of land along Woods Valley Road and North Wohlford Road, county officials said.

4 bodies found in East County

Four badly burned bodies have been found in a burned out rocky canyon near state Route 94 and Highway 188 just west of Potrero.

Law enforcement officials are at the scene and are trying to figure out the logistics of how to get down a very steep canyon wall.

A Border Patrol driving by saw one of the bodies on the canyon slope about 3:30 a.m. When he stopped to investigate he saw the other bodies about 75 to 100 yards down at the bottom of the deep ravine.

Two Border Patrol agents with a cadaver dog are sweeping the canyon right now to make sure there are no other bodies in the area.

The fire apparently just overtook the people, said Sheriff's Lt. Dave Myers.
"It's indicative of the extreme speed and intensity of the fire, " he said.

The bodies are of three men and one woman, said Border Patrol supervisor Joseph Mason.

-- David Hasemyer

Rice Canyon fire cause: downed power lines

From Cal Fire:

Investigators have confirmed that the Rice Canyon fire, which destroyed homes in Fallbrook, was caused by downed power lines.

The fire currently stands at 9,000 acres and is 30 percent contained. Full containment is expected by Sunday.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Potrero reopened again

Potrero evacuees at the Campo Community Center were just told they can return home. Many are driving back to the community on state Route 94 West.

It is unclear if residents can access the town via east SR-94, but Potrero is reopened and accessible by taking east I-8 to Buckman Springs Road to westbound SR-94.

Authorities are checking IDs.

There is no electricity or water in the area, which is where the Harris fire started Sunday.

--Anne Krueger, staff writer

San Diego kids back to school Tuesday

Campuses in the San Diego Unified School District are scheduled to reopen Tuesday.

All district employees, including teachers, are asked to report to work
on Monday to get schools ready for the return of students.

All field trips requiring bus transportation will be canceled through Friday, Nov. 2.

Palomar Outdoor School, the district's sixth grade camp, will remain
closed until further notice.

For more information, check the district's web site at www.sandi.net. In
addition, a special information line is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday-Friday, at (619) 725-8140.

County says Ramona unsafe for residents

County officials say that many Ramona residents have reentered Ramona even though the area is under a mandatory evacuation order. Ramona is currently unsafe for residents.

Citizens are being advised the water system is completely down.
There is no reliable estimate as to when the Ramona Water District will have the system online.

No water creates a public safety risk by leaving firefighters unable to fight possible fires. The lack of water also creates a public health risk for those on the water district’s system, the county said.

The county said there is a current “No Drink” order on the Ramona Municipal Water District.

If you are currently in Ramona, do not use the Ramona Water District system for any reason. The district is in the process of restoring water. Any use of the system may result in further damage that could result in longer delays to reentry.

The Ramona Water District has requested mutual aid to garner additional resources to help with system restoration. Simultaneously, they are working on an alternative water plan that would meet safety and health requirements to allow residents to return to their homes.

Evacuation orders lifted in Bonsall, parts of Fallbrook

Evacuation orders have been lifted in parts of Bonsall and a section of Fallbrook.

As of 2:45 p.m., Bonsall residents are being allowed to return home if they live south of state Route 76; west of South Mission Road and north of SR-76; or west of South Mission Road and north of North River Road.

Fallbrook residents may return if they live south of Burma Road and west of South Mission Road.

To access those areas, residents must contact law enforcement personnel at Olive Hill Road and SR-76 and be able to show identification with proof of residency.

All other areas of Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow and DeLuz are still closed, San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials said.

--Janet Lavelle

Tempers flare as Ramona residents denied re-entry

Tempers are flaring along state Route 67 at Poway Road, where a line of cars is backed up as far as the eye can see.
Ramona residents are being denied re-entry to the community. Around noon, 100 or so residents got so impatient with the roadblock that they ran to their cars and blew past CHP authorities.
CHP called in extra help, and about 10 armed members of the National Guard are now stationed there, said CHP spokesman Brian Pennings.
There is no word on when Ramona residents will be allowed back in.
-- Ray Huard

Evacuation order lifted at Rancho Santa Fe

The evacuation order was lifted after 1 p.m. today in parts of Rancho Santa Fe, allowing some residents to return to their homes.
Access is limited to residents on the following streets: Las Colinas, El Mirador, La Valle Plateada, El Vuelo, El Sicomoro, and Zumaque Street.
Homes along Del Dios Highway and the community of Del Dios remain off-limits.

-- Ron Powell

Potrero off limits

The Harris fire has shifted back toward Potrero, so authorities have rescinded any clearance for residents to return home.

-- Anne Krueger, staff writer

New mandatory evacuations in Lawson Valley, Carveacre

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Lawson Valley and Carveacre in the Harris Fire.

The fire is burning around Barrett Lake and firefighters want people out of this area, in the backcountry east of Jamul, in case the fire heads that way, said Cal Fire spokesman Martin Johnson.

Residents can take shelter at the Del Mar Fairgrounds or Faith Chapel at 9400 Campo Road in Spring Valley

Satellite image: Hot spots

The latest satellite image of the fires collected from the Terra satellite as well as an image collected this morning from the NOAA satellite showing hot spots. The red color was added by SeaSpace and represents burning areas as of 6 a.m. this morning.

Satellite image: Smoke coverage

The latest satellite image of the fires collected from the Terra satellite shows smoke blanketing nearly all fof southern California.

Filter masks still only partially available

From the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department:

The 80,000 donated filter masks it plans to distribute haven't yet been delivered to all stations.

These are the stations that currently DO have masks available:

Station 24…Hartfield Avenue and Del Mar Heights Road (Carmel Valley)

Station 33…Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road (Rancho Bernardo)

Station 37…Spring Canyon and Blue Cypress Drive (Scripps Ranch)

Station 40…Salmon River Road and Paseo Montalban (Rancho Peñasquitos)

Station 42…World Trade Drive and Highland Ranch Road (Carmel Mountain Ranch)

Station 46…Camino del Sur and Lazanja Drive (Santaluz)

The city's Assistance Center at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center also has masks available.


--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Center open for help

At the Rancho Bernardo Community Recreation Center, 1844 West Bernardo Drive, 100 residents from Rancho Bernardo, Escondido and Poway are getting recovery help.

Center director Debra Fischle-Faulk said she expects 500 residents from the incorprorated parts of the county to come here for assistance.

Inside the community center, the city's building permit, water and sewer departments have set up booths.

Other agencies include cable companies, the state tax board and representatives from Poway, and Escondido and San Diego County.

The center is also providing child care for residents with children.

The American Red Cross is on site to provide financial help and medical and mental health asistance.

The center's hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A second assistance center in Rancho San Diego is open at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.

Two other centers in Fallbrook and Ramona will open when roads are cleared.

The Fallbrook center will be at the Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane. The Ramona center wil be at Ramona Community School, 1710 Montecito Road.

FEMA will be setting up its center soon, officials said.

People who have lost documents such as property deeds, can get them replaced at these centers.

-- Angela Lau, staff writer

Correction sent from county: Tecate border crossing still closed

For highway safety reasons and continuing fire danger, the border crossing at Tecate will remain closed until further notice.

Bush ends whirlwind tour

President Bush boarded Air Force One about 1:30 p.m. ending a four-hour whirlwind stop in San Diego County where he met with victims, volunteers and emergency responders.
His tour took him to Rancho Bernardo and Escondido where he was scheduled to have lunch with firefighters but a surprise stop at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center put him behind schedule so after greeting dozens of the 2,000 firefighters gathered in Kit Carson Park he and his motorcade returned to MCAS Miramar to board the plane and took off moments later.

- Matt Hall

More South County residents can return

Residents evacuated from Otay Lakes Road to Pio Pico Thousand Trails are allowed to return home today, Cal Fire officials said.


The threat to this area is under control, officials said. Roads and bridges have been evaluated. San Diego Gas and Electric have secured the utilities in this area.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Picking up mail

Mail delivery is returning to normal in most areas, except where mandatory evacuations are in place or where air quality is unhealthful, according to a Postal Service spokesman.

Residents whose homes or businesses have been burned should contact their local post office to make alternative arrangements.

Mail for the following evacuated communities has been relocated for customer pick-up (be advised that a proper photo identification is required):

º‚Julian 92036 moved to the Borrego Springs Post Office, 2599 Country Club Road. Pick-up time is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

º‚Santa Ysabel 92070 moved to the Warner Springs Post Office, 31650 Highway 79. Pick-up time is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

º Dulzura 91917, Jamul 91935, Potrero 91963 and Tecate 91980 moved to the El Cajon Main Post Office, 401 W. Lexington. Pick-up time is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

º Ramona 92065 moved to the Carmel Mountain Post Office, 11251 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, near the flagpole at the south end of the processing center. Pick-up time is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

º Bonsall 92003 and Fallbrook 92028 moved to the Murrieta Carrier Annex, 39571 Los Alamos, just off the I-215 in Murrieta. That facility is at the west end of a shopping center. Pick-up time is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact the consumer affairs office at (858) 674-2670
for assistance with issues resulting from fire-related mail delays or damage. That office has extended its hours and will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

… Sandi Dolbee

Couple ID'd as fire victims

The charred remains of a couple discovered yesterday in a burned home are believed to belong to John C. Bain and his wife, Victoria Fox, according to Jerry Nicholas, a family friend.

Crews found the bodies in a home on Highland Valley Road in unincorporated Escondido after a family member asked authorities to check on the couple's welfare, said the Medical Examiner's Office.

They will use dental records to positively identify the bodies. No official identification has been released.

The area was under mandatory evacuation along with Ramona on Sunday night, when the Witch Creek Fire was expected to sweep through the Bandy Canyon area.

It was unclear whether the couple made a last-minute decision to stay or were still preparing to evacuate when they were overcome by the flames.

Bain was a real estate broker, and Fox was a teacher at Rincon Middle School in Escondido.
-- Kristina Davis, staff writer

Some life in Ramona

As reports filtered in that the California Highway Patrol was letting some Ramona residents enter through Highway 67, the downtown area had light traffic and a scattering of people on the streets.

From Main Street and 11th Street, one can see working traffic lights and a 7-Eleven and a grocery store open.

A small group is outside a Jack in the Box waiting for it to reopen.

One resident said he'd lost water but that it just came back on. Some residents lost power but he was not one of them.

-- Ray Huard, staff writer

President Bush pledges to help

President Bush's final stop included a briefing at Kit Carson Park in Escondido.
In brief remarks he sought to reassure all of San Diego County that the federal government was here to help and to share words of appreciation about local emergency responders.
"We're not going to forget you in Washington DC ," Bush said. "We want the people to know that there is a better day ahead. Today your life may look dismal but tomorrow life is going to be better and to the extent the federal government can help you, we're willing to do so."
He also thanked the numerous volunteers who have stepped up in recent days.

Rancho Bernardo couple meet president

Larry and Michele Krupinski were talking with Red Cross officials at the Rancho Bernardo local assistance center when all eyes turned toward the middle of the room.
The president of the United States had just walked in.
After being greeted with applause, President Bush met each fire victim individually. The couple, who have been married for just over a year, said the president's presence helped soothe their frayed nerves.
They bought their Rancho Bernardo home on Aliento Court just six months ago. It was destroyed by fire.
Michele Krupinski said the president asked her if she lost her home. She said, "Yeah. Everything."
Then the president said he was very sorry, and then he told her: "We want you to know the country cares about you."
After some more talk, he asked them if they thought it was appropriate for him to be visiting the assistance center.
They told him they thought it was fine.
"It made me feel like everything is going to be OK," she said.
The couple plan to rebuild their home.
"We grieved on Monday. Now we're starting the process of rebuilding," Larry Krupinski said.

Entry to Ramona delayed

Ramona is still virtually closed to anyone trying to enter, with California National Guard troops manning a checkpoint at Highway 67 and Poway Road.

About 80 cars full of people are waiting to be allowed into Ramona.

Crews are working to clear hazardous road conditions and that has delayed reentry.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Water bomber waits at Lake Elsinore

After some delays getting through customs, the Martin Mars amphibious water bomber has arrived from Vancouver, British Columbia and is in Southern California. Reader Dave Bohorquez snapped this shot of the big seaplane floating in Lake Elsinore, awaiting firefighting assignments.

The World War II-era flying boat has been used for fighting fires in Canada since 1959. They can land on lakes or in the ocean, can fill their tanks in the water and have a capacity of 7,200 gallons.

President enroute to Kit Carson park

President Bush is enroute to Kit Carson Park in Escondido where he will meet with some of the first responders.
At an earlier stop in a Rancho Bernardo neighborhood, he was asked a questison about comparing this disaster to Katrina.
"I'm thinking about people whose lives are turned upside down. The experts can try to figure out whether the response was appropriate or not," he said. "All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone."
He also said: "There is all kinds of time for history to compare this response or that response.
"Those of us who are here from government, our hearts are right here with the Jeffcoat's (family),'' he said, referring to a family he visited.
-- Matt Hall

Man arrested for impersonating firefighter

A 44-year-old man dressed in full fire gear was arrested Wednesday afternoon after deputies found him in an evacuated area of Fallbrook.

William Brock was laying a fully-charged hose attached to a hydrant across Live Oak Park Road near Gumtree Lane around 4 p.m. in an area where fires were still smouldering, sheriff's officials said. There were no other firefighters in the area.

Brock told deputies that he was a firefighter who had been sent to help extinguish hot spots and that he was allowed to pass through the check points .

According to the Sheriff's Department, he was driving a pickup truck with a personalized firefighter plate loaded with fire hoses and other fire gear. He was wearing a blue shirt that had the word "firefighter" on it. In his truck, officials found a blue shirt with a Morongo Valley Fire Department patch on it, a firefighter badge and a name tag with his name on it.

Deputies checked and found that Brock did not work for the Morongo Valley Fire Department or any other. They also found that he is on probation in Los Angeles County for narcotics violations.

Brock was taken into custody. He will face charges of impersonating a firefighter, entering a closed area and obstructing officers in the performance of their duties, sheriff's officials said.

Tecate and Potrero reopening...sort of

this from Cal Fire:

Residents evacuated from Potrero and Tecate will be allowed to return home as of noon today.

HOWEVER--

Both communities remain under an "Evacuation Warning."

Only residents with ID will be allowed in.

Residents need to monitor the fire situation closely. Fire conditions can still change and phone service to these areas has not been restored, which limits the ability of the Reverse 911 system to alert residents to new evacuation orders.

No large animals will be allowed back into the area while it is still under an evacuation warning.

Residents will be able to access Potrero and Tecate from Interstate 8 to Buckman Springs Road to state Route 94 west. The roadblock on SR-94 two miles east of Harris Ranch Road is being lifted, but SR-94 will be roadblocked by CHP at the junction with SR-188 and at Forest Gate Road.

Residents will NOT be permitted through SR-94 from the west.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

No homes damaged in Mesa Grande reservation

Firefighters saved dozens of homes on the Mesa Grande reservation, where about 200 Indians live, said tribal chairman Mark Romero Thursday morning.
ŠThe fire did go through there, went all around,‰ he said. ŠThey had two strike teams in there, fought the fire back, saved all the houses.‰
The Witch Creek fire raced through the reservation Monday, but it wasn't until Wednesday that Romero got word that firefighters were able to save housing on the reservation west of Julian.
ŠWe owe them a big thanks, risking their lives down there to save our homes means a lot to us.‰
Tribal members are scattered from El Cajon to Escondido to the Pechanga reservation near Temecula, and it will be this weekend, at the earliest, before they can return.
Until power lines are restored, the tribe is planning to use generators to fill a water tank with well water before people return, Romero said.
-- Onell R. Soto, staff writer

Filter masks at San Diego fire stations

The San Diego Fire Department is distributing 80,000 air-filter masks free to anybody who needs them.

The masks, capable of filtering 90 percent of most airborne particulates, are being handed out at assistance centers in Rancho Bernardo and elsewhere.

They also can be obtained at the following fire stations in San Diego:

Filter masks are available from the following San Diego fire stations:

Station 46…Camino del Sur and Lazanja Drive

Station 37…Spring Canyon and Blue Cypress Drive

Station 24…Hartfield Avenue and Del Mar Heights Road

Station 33…Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road

Station 42…World Trade Drive and Highland Ranch Road

The masks, donated to the department by Direct Relief International, are recommended for senior citizens, pregnant women, people with heart or lung problems and anyone who needs to be outdoors for prolonged periods.

--Chet Barfield, staff writer

All homes saved on Santa Ysabel reservation

Two of the three tracts that make up the Santa Ysabel Indian Reservation near Lake Henshaw burned in the Witch Creek fire, but firefighters were able to save all the homes, tribal chairman Johnny Hernandez said Thursday.
Flames spared the largest tract, on the flank of Volcan Mountain, which houses tribal offices, most of the homes, and the tribe's brand-new casino.
Hernandez said power and communication lines have been down since Sunday, when the Witch Creek fire began, and most of the reservation's 280 residents have evacuated, some as far as Arizona and Los Angeles.
Initially, some went to Borrego Springs, but supplies ran out at an evacuation center there.
"Some of our members came back, we sent them up to Soboba," a Riverside county Indian reservation where evacuees were housed in a gymnasium.
It's unclear when electricity and other services will be restored to the reservation, he said.
-- Onell R. Soto

South O.C. schools closed today

All schools in south Orange County's Capistrano Unified School District are
closed today, as are most pre-schools and private schools. Last night,
Interim Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter notified parents that schools would
close because of poor air quality and concerns about potential evacuations.

"We have been informed that the fires pose a greater threat to our southern
and northern most schools. Specifically, the schools in the San Clemente and
Rancho Santa Margarita are at greater risk than before," he said in an
automated phone message that was posted on the district's Web site at 6:30
p.m. Wednesday.

Several wildfires are burning on Camp Pendleton, leading to the closure of a
stretch of Interstate 5 between Oceanside and Orange County yesterday. San
Clemente is just to the north of the San Diego/Orange County line.

At 7 a.m. this morning, the Horno fire had burned 17,000 acres and was 40
to 50 percent contained, according to the military. The fire has two heads,
one burning north near Basilone Road and the other south near Las Pulgas.

The Wilcox fire and the San Luis fire are 100 percent contained.

-- Jenifer Goodwin

President's visit snarls traffic for RB returnees

Rancho Bernardo residents began their journey back home with a surprise today.

They were stuck in traffic for two to three hours sitting in their cars at a standstill because of President Bush's visit to their community.

Police and the CHP had blocked off Interstate 15 ramps to West Bernardo Drive, which leads to the recovery center that was opened yesterday. Cars lined up for miles on the freeway.

"I'm glad he's coming but it's unfortunate to keep us all waiting," said Joy Fleming, who lives in North Oaks.

Fed up with waiting, Barbara Gandre said she needed to drive her 87-year-old mother home to pick up medication for her 89-year-old husband.

Her mother just recovered from pneumonia in September and the family did not have masks to wear over their faces. They sat in their car with the windows rolled down because they only had a quarter tank of gas left.

"I cannot run the air conditioning or I'll run out of gas," Gandre said. "I am sick of this," she said.

-- Angela Lau, staff writer

Rancho Santa Fe residents can't get back in yet

Several residents in the Rancho Santa Fe area were angered this morning when they were not allowed to return to their neighborhoods after fire officials told them it was safe.
In order to allow repopulation, approvals are needed by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office and officials at the fire incident command post, said Julie Taber, spokeswoman for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District.
"It takes more than the approval of the fire department," Taber said. "We're just trying to make sure we're going through the right process."
Taber said is hopeful that residents will be allowed in later today.
--Ron Powell, staff writer

Evacuation lifted for Helen Woodward center

The mandatory evacuation of Helen Woodward Animal Center and the surrounding Rancho Santa Fe area was lifted this morning.
Staff members are beginning to arrive at the animal center after being evacuated on Monday. Officials say this was the first time in the center's 35-year history that there were no animals there.
Animals are expected to arrive later today or early Friday.
Iams dog and cat food will be delivering two shipments of food to the center on Friday and Monday that will be distributed to families that have been evacuated and to evacuation centers.

--Janet Lavelle

Traffic jam in Rancho Bernardo

Traffic has come to a halt on the West Bernardo Drive off-ramp from Interstate 15 and for about a half mile along the road as cars head back into Rancho Bernardo with evacuation orders lifted in that community. The ramp also leads to a fire victims assistance center opening today at Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive.
California Highway Patrol officers and Caltrans personnel are on scene.
--Angela Lau

Bush in Rancho Bernardo

President Bush just entered the Rancho Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center to applause from the people packed a basketball gym. He’s greeting people seeking relief from FEMA and city services.

He arrived from a Rancho Bernardo neighborhood, where he stopped to assess the damage and encountered Dr. Kendra and Jay Jeffcoat, and their dog, Trevor, outside the charred shell of their house.

Bush was joined on his tour by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA and Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad. They stepped into the house and got a tour of what had once been the Jeffcoats’ living room. A spiral staircase went to nowhere, pieces of roof tile strewn across the rubble on Lancastershire Way.

Bush expressed his sympathies.

--from Matthew Hall, staff writer

No one hurt in chopper crash

The helicopter that crashed in the Ramona area less than an hour ago was carrying three SDG&E employees who were surveying areas for energy restoration, SDG&E spokeswoman Jenny Redmond said.

"We are pleased to report that the three SDG&E employees as well as the pilot were uninjured," Redmond said. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Information on fire-damaged properties on county Web site

San Diego County has set up a Web site with information of damaged or destroyed private property in unincorporated parts of the county affected by the Harris, Witch Creek and fires.
The web address is http://www.sdcdplu.org/
Most of the properties listed are in the areas of Dulzura, Potrero, Fallbrook, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe.
Field assessments were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday in areas that were safe to enter. The information will be updated daily.
-- Leonel Sanchez

San Diego neighborhoods open with a few exceptions

All residential areas of the city of San Diego are now open and available for residents to return. The only exception is one fire-damaged Rancho Bernardo condominium complex, city officials said.

Areas of north Rancho Bernardo on the east side of Interstate 15, north of Paseo Del Verano Norte and the community of Westwood are now open for access to residents only, officials said.

In addition, access to the San Pasqual Valley is still limited by ongoing road closures near the intersection of San Pasqual Valley Road and Old Milky Way.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Water woes leave most of Fallbrook evacuated

Residents of southwest Fallbrook were being let back into their homes Thursday morning but most of the community is likely to remain under evacuation orders until Friday.
The big holdup is the town's water supply, which comes mainly from the Red Mountain reservoir. Chlorination facilities for the Fallbrook Public Utility District burned in the Rice Canyon fire, which scarred some 9,000 acres.
Crews are installing a temporary chlorination plant Thursday. The district's general manager, Keith Lewinger, said he expects it to be operating by about 5 p.m. He pegged replacement costs at $1 million.
Some 20,000 avocado trees burned in the fire. However, Lewinger predicts a "large hit" on the water supply as soon as farmers and residents return and irrigate the numerous remaining groves and plant nurseries.
The re-opened area is west of South Mission Road and south of Burma Road, in the areas known as Sleeping Indian and Morro Hills. Fire officials said that residents could use Olive Hill Road to get home as far north as Burma Road.
The Rice Canyon fire is 30 percent contained and is no longer considered a threat to the town.
Fallbrook residents, scattered widely across Riverside, Orange and coastal San Diego counties, are frustrated that they can't get back into their homes.
"I understand the need to keep people protected, but at this point it seems Fallbrook has simply been forgotten and pushed to the back burner until other areas -- areas that have good political representation -- are addressed," Fallbrook resident Dave Stewart said in an letter Wednesday sent to county supervisors.
David Shew, a Cal Fire spokesman, said he understood such sentiments but that fire officials don't want to create more danger given the water situation.
"We wish we could just say, 'Everybody come back,'‚" he said.
Shew said that even if the water purification equipment is working by the end of Thursday, officials won't start allowing residents into the area at night.
--Mike Lee, Staff Writer

SDG&E helicopter crashes

A SDG&E helicopter crashed in an unincorporated area east of Poway, sheriff's officials said.
The chopper went down around 10:20 a.m. near Sunrise Vista and Rancho Del Sol. No injuries have been reported.

All of 4s Ranch reopened

The County of San Diego has lifted the evacuation order its portion of 4S Ranch. All of 4S Ranch is now re-opened to residents.

Wild Animal Park poised to reopen

The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is ready to reopen to the public after three days of closures, but the roads to it aren't yet clear, officials said.

Park officials hope Caltrans will open the roads today or tomorrow.

The park sustained minimal wind and fire damage. More than 600 acres burned, but they were largely in open buffer zone areas and not exhibit space.

A California condor enclosure was destroyed, but the endangered birds had already been moved to safety. Only one bird, a clapper rail, and one mammal, a kiang, were lost due to complications from the fire, officials said.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

President gets air and ground tours of damage

President Bush touched down at San Pasqual High School in Escondido shortly after 10 a.m. following an aerial tour of the fire danger surrounding Lake Hodges.

Outside the windows of the helicopter convoy, you could see patches of scorched earth below, but you could also see rolling green golfcourses and houses that escaped the damage.

The president's motorcade took him toward neighborhoods where he will tour more damage. A couple dozen people lined the road near the high school with cameras.

-- Matthew Hall, staff writer

Two looting arrests in Tecate

Two additional looting arrests were made Wednesday evening, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender said.

The men were spotted on Tecate Road near the border with items in their hands taken from burned-out residences, sheriff's officials said. They were arrested as they tried to cross into Mexico at the Tecate port of entry.

Air quality: Moderate to hazardous today

The county Air Pollution Control District says local air quality will range from moderate to hazardous today.

Particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels will be unhealthy for Chula Vista, Del Mar, Downtown San Diego, El Cajon, Escondido, Otay Mesa, Kearny Mesa and Oceanside.

Evacuation notice lifted for Escondido

All areas within the City of Escondido previously evacuated have been re-opened to residents.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Mail deliver back to normal, except ...

Mail delivery is expected to return to normal in most San Diego areas today, except where mandatory evacuations are in place or where air quality is unhealthy.

Mail for the following evacuated communities has been relocated for customer pick-up between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. ( Photo identification is required.)

-- Julian 92036 has moved to the Borrego Springs Post Office at 2599 County Club Rd.
-- Santa Ysabel 92070 has moved to the Warner Springs Post Office at 31650 Hwy. 79.
-- Delzura 91917, Jamul 91935, Potrero 91963 and Tecate 91980 have moved to the El Cajon Main Post Office at 401 W. Lexington.
-- Ramona 92065 has moved to the Carmel Mountain Post Office at 11251 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego at the south end of the Margaret Sellers Processing & Distribution Center in Rm. 117 near the flagpole.
-- Bonsall 92003 and Fallbrook 92028 move to the Murrieta Carrier Annex in Los Alamos, just off the I-215 in Murrieta. The facility is at the west of the shopping center.

Scripps Ranch fire survivors to help

Scripps Ranch residents who lost homes in the 2003 Cedar fire say they want to "pay forward" the help they got four years ago.

They are holding an organizational meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at Marshall Middle School.

At the meeting, Cedar Fire survivors will talk about ways people can help in the upcoming rebuilding efforts. In 2003, Scripps Ranch got advice and assistance from people in Pasadena, Laguna Hills, and Oakland Hills.

For more information, contact Bob Ilko at (858) 243-1235 or
srilko4@aol.com

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

President Bush's plane has touched down

Air Force One touched down at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station at 9:28 a.m. A couple of choppers are on the tarmac, waiting to take President Bush on an aerial tour of fire damaged areas.

--Matt Hall, Staff Writer

Harris Fire areas of concern

The Harris fire, which was once wind-driven to the east, is now mainly a fuel-driven fire and it is moving to the northeast toward Lyons Valley Road, east of Jamul, said Cal Fire Deputy Chief Steve Heil.
"The northern flank is our highest priority," Heil said.

Just northwest of Barrett Lake in an area the locals refer to as Four Corners, as well as Barrett Lake are two areas of concern today for firefighters battling the blaze, which grew 12,000 acres since yesterday morning. That is where the fire is most active, Cal Fire spokesman Martin Johnson said.

County opens Rancho San Diego Local Assistance Center

The county plans three Local Assistance Centers (LACs) in the unincorporated areas. The first of these opens at 9 a.m. today:

Cuyamaca College

900 Rancho San Diego Parkway

El Cajon, 92109.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The LACs in Fallbrook and Ramona are not yet open.
A complete list of available resources at the LAC can be found at www.sdcountyrecovery.com.
For more information about the LACs, residents can call 2-1-1.

High Valley area re-opened for residents

The city of Poway says that the High Valley area is now re-opened, and residents can return to their homes.

There will be periodic street closures in the High Valley Area, the city says, as San Diego Gas & Electric continues to secure the power lines, and restore power to all of the homes.

Residents are asked to assess their property and utilities. If utilities have been turned off, residents should call the following numbers to have utilities restored:
SDG&E: (800) 411-7343
Water: (858) 668-4401
EDCO is continuing regular trash collection, the city reports.

Evacuation notice lifted for Olive Hill area of Fallbrook

The County of San Diego has lifted the evacuation order for parts of the Olive Hill area in Fallbrook. They include:
-- All residents that have access to their homes from Highway 76 to Burma Road.
-- IDs will be checked
All other areas in Bonsall, south of Highway 76 are open and require no check-in.

2007 Wildfire fatalities update

The County of San Diego announces this morning that 10 fire-related deaths of San Diego County residents have occurred during the 2007 Wildfires. This includes three deaths directly related to the fires, three that occurred during evacuation activities and four that happened after the people were evacuated, a county spokeswoman said in a press release.

The most recent fatalities included in these statistics are:
Robert M. Sibbison, an 86-year-old male under hospice care, experienced shortness of breath while being evacuated via ambulance on the morning of Oct. 24. He died at Grossmont Hospital.

Priscilla Frias, a twenty-year-old female who had serious medical problems, evacuated with her family to Tijuana when she had difficulty breathing. Her family transported her to San Diego for medical attention when her breathing condition worsened. She was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital-Chula Vista during the early morning hours of Oct. 24 and pronounced dead.

Two sets of unidentified charred remains were found in the rubble of a destroyed house on Highland Valley Road in unincorporated Poway during the evening hours of Oct. 24. (Cause of death is pending, the spokeswoman said.)

Bush: 'It's a sad situation out there'

President Bush, who has declared a major disaster in a seven-county region of Southern California, is scheduled to arrive in California today and take an aerial tour of the burn areas, accompanied by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"It's a sad situation out there in Southern California," Bush said this morning from outside the White House before leaving for California. "I fully understand that the people have got a lot of anguish in their hearts. They just need to know a lot of folks care about them"

-- Associated Press

Updated fire facts

Latest statistics on the five fires, from the morning news briefing:

Rice Canyon fire:
Close to 9,500 acres
20 percent contained
Continues to burn north into the Riverside County area
More than 1,000 firefighters assigned

Horno fire on Camp Pendleton:
17,000 acres
40 to 45 percent contained
no structures loss

Poomacha fire:
35,000 acres
10 percent contained
about 700 fire personnel assigned

Witch Creek fire:
198,170 acres
20 percent contained
1,061 residences, 175 outbuildings and 239 automobiles destroyed
62 residences damaged

Harris fire:
84,000 acres
155 homes destroyed, 250 damaged

Camp Pendleton blaze a two-headed beast

From Cal Fire at the 7 a.m. briefing:

Firefighters have made the greatest progress against the Horno fire, which is 40 to 44 percent contained as it burns across Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

No buildings have been lost or evacuations forced on the base in the last 24 hours due to the fire. However, the blaze has two distinct heads, which is complicating firefighting efforts.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Julian not yet out of danger

This from Cal Fire at the county's 7 a.m. briefing:

Firefighters were able to hold off the Witch Creek fire from entering Julian and so far this morning, but the town remains under significant threat from active fire and residents won't be allowed to return today.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

First building permit requested

The flames haven't died yet, but residents are starting to bounce back from the firestorm. County supervisor Ron Roberts used the 7 a.m. fire briefing to announce that the county already has received its first request for a building permit to replace one of the homes destroyed.
--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Ramona still not safe to return

This from the county's 7 a.m. fire briefing:Ramona remains closed. The reason: lack of water pressure, including in area fire hydrants. The lines have air in them, not water.Water tenders and portable toilets are to be brought into the area, and partial re-entry for some Ramona residents may be permitted later today.

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

More than 5,000 fighting fires

More than 5,000 fire personnel are actively involved in fighting the region's five fires, according to county Supervisor Ron Roberts.

Two bodies found in burned home

Two bodies were discovered in a burned home in an unincorporated area northeast of Poway and the county medical examiner's office is attempting to identify them, Sheriff Bill Kolender said at a morning news briefing.

Updated fire statistics

County Supervisor Ron Roberts said during the morning news briefing that the region's fires have burned close to 350,000 acres. The fires have destroyed at least 1,470 residences.

"The damage is extensive. The acreage is overwhelming," Roberts said.

Roberts said about 560,000 people were evacuated from their homes. He said the focus today largely will shift to the "re-entry process" for residents who earlier had evacuated.

Focus shifting to Harris fire

So far, the focus on Day Five of the 2007 firestorm is on the Harris fire, one of four blazes still out of control in San Diego County, said county spokesman Bill Polick.

Together, the five fires -- Witch Creek, Harris, Poomacha, Horno and Rice Canyon -- have burned 319,500 acres, an area equal to almost 500 square miles.

With onshore winds down and the weather cooler, none of the four fires are moving rapidly and no new evacuations have been ordered, but firefighters are keeping a close eye on the Harris fire in the Lyons Peak area, especially along Lyons Valley Road, Polick said.

The Witch Creek and Poomacha fires have not yet merged, but are very close together and burning in parallel, he said.

Witch Creek...<200,000 acres, 20 percent contained
Harris........75,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Poomacha......35,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Rice Canyon... 9,500 acres, 20 percent contained
Horno ... 17,000 acres, 40 percent contained

--Greg Gross, Breaking News Team

Fires containment still at 10 to 20 percent

Cal Fire officials say they do not anticipate letting evacuees who live in the unincorporated areas of the county back into their homes for at least another day or two.
Firefighters are still working to get control lines around all four major fires burning in the county and as yet only have 10 to 20 percent containment on any of them, said retired Cal Fire Capt. Fred Dafkoski. He said they want to make sure the areas are safe and not about to rekindle before they open them.
The weather is in their favor now with cooler temperatures, onshore winds and higher humidity which help to hamper the flames, Dafkoski said.

New county fire map

The county has posted a new version of the official map of the fires. The map shows in red the areas that have been actively burning in the last 24 hours, and there's a lot less red on this map than the previous ones.
There doesn't appear to be any change in the evacuation area borders, and no reopenings have been announced this morning.

Fire stories from today's U-T

Here's the top fire stories from Thursday's U-T:

Hope and heartbreak
As fires continue to burn, residents see signs of progress
Yesterday was a time filled with mixed emotions. Although steadily diminishing winds helped firefighters gain the upper hand against certain blazes, other infernos continued to rage unchecked. Although some evacuees had to flee the path of growing wildfires and many remained at shelters, thousands were allowed to return home.

Former fire chief defies order to evacuate home
Every night before he goes to bed, Jeff Bowman steps onto his patio and scans the sky above his 2.5-acre property in Escondido. Before him, stretched out on the lawn, are two garden hoses in case he needs to douse flaming embers.


Exclusive homes emerge unscathed as fire-protection concept is tested
A disputed land-use strategy designed to protect new developments from devastation in the county's exurban, fire-prone areas appears to have passed its first and most critical test this week.

Also in today's report:
Criticism over issue of air support builds
Building patterns are to blame, critics say
Fire facts
FEMA says it's better prepared
There's little rest for the rescuers
Optimistic governor tours more fire areas
Volunteer firefighters save mountaintop

Latest story, map and updates

Here's our breaking news story on the fires.

And here's an interactive map that includes a partial list of the destroyed houses.

County officials said they are providing updates on the ongoing disaster assessments on the county's emergency page.

- Tom Mallory

Update for Lakeside: No evac

Lakeside residents getting mixed messages about evacuations have this current word from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

You can stay home if you are there; you can return home if you had evacuated.

Sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said there have been no evacuation orders for Lakeside.

Residents near state Route 67 in Ramona and northeast Poway were ordered to leave Tuesday, an order still in effect as far south as 67 and Slaughterhouse Canyon Road and San Vicente Reservoir.

- Pauline Repard

Two evacuation notices lifted

Authorities lifted the evacuation notices for the communities of Hidden Meadows and Mountain Meadows at 6:15 p.m.

Residents who have evacuated those areas can now return to their homes.

- Craig Gustafson

Fire evac surpasses Katrina

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender says more people have been evacuated because the county's wildfires than were evacuated from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

He urged residents to remain patient until they can safely be allowed to return to their homes.

While more than 150,000 evacuees have been allowed to return home, Rancho Santa Fe has not been one of the communities declared safe yet. Many anxious residents have been trying to get past the roadblocks, said Rancho Santa Fe fire authorities.

"We can't let people in yet, there's live wires on the ground and hot spots still burning," a spokeswoman said.

By tomorrow morning, Rancho Santa Fe fire plans to have a better assessment of which areas can be lifted from mandatory evacuation.

All areas affected by the nearly 200,000-acre Witch fire have started their own assessments.

- Lisa Petrillo

How to find out if you can go home

County officials say they have reopened several areas that had been under mandatory evacuation.

But they don't have a master list that would allow residents in those areas to know if their specific street has OK'd for their return.

The county is directing people to this evacuation map, which highlights reopened areas in green. The county's map does little, however, for those looking to find their streets.

- Craig Gustafson

Registering cell phones for Reverse 911

The city and county of San Diego have been alerting residents via home phones to evacuate in the wake of various fires for several days.

But city of San Diego residents can also register their cell phones to receive emergency alerts, such as an evacuation notice. To register, go to this page and enter the number, account address and personal e-mail.

The county launched Alert San Diego -- a technologically advanced version of Reverse 911 -- last month and also has the capability to contact residents via cell phone. But county officials said they have yet to set up a Web site where people can register.

- Craig Gustafson

Freeway closures

Freeway closures in San Diego County as of 5:10 p.m.:

Interstate 15, off ramps to Mission Road/Mission Avenue (North Escondido)
Interstate 15, off ramps to W. Bernardo Drive/Pomerado Road (Rancho Bernardo)
State Route 67, from Slaughterhouse Canyon Road to State Routes 78/79.
State Route 78, from San Pasqual Valley Road to Santa Ysabel at Route 79
State Route 79, between Route 78 and Route 76
State Route 76, from Pankey Road to State Route 79.
State Route 94, from Steele Canyon Road to Forrest Gate Road.
State Route 188 Tecate Port of Entry.

Updates: Call 511 or go to www.dot.ca.gov/sdtraffic or www.511sd.com

-- Jeff Ristine, staff writer

Viejas casino closes down

The Viejas casino closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, when the tribe abandoned a
plan to ride out flames there if nearby fires turn towards the reservation
near Alpine.

"It makes no sense to continue this," tribal spokesman Bob Scheid said.

The Harris fire is burning to the south and the Witch Creek Fire to the
north.

"We're kind of squeezed in between those two fires," he said. There are no
evacuation orders for the reservation.

The casino's parking lot has become a gathering spot for trucks and RVs
prevented by high winds from continuing east on Interstate 8.

If fire threatens the reservation, residents will evacuate to the tribal
recreation center, Scheid said.

Onell R. Soto, staff writer

Assistance centers opening

Four local assistance centers are opening tomorrow and Friday to provide centralized, disaster-relief services in San Diego County.

They will help fire victims file insurance claims and apply for assistance and housing, among other services.

As announced earlier today, the San Diego center will open tomorrow at Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive, San Diego.

Other centers opening tomorrow are:

Ramona Community School, 1710 Montecito Road, Ramona.
Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heal Lane, Fallbrook.

The center opening Friday is at Rancho San Diego-Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.

Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (except Rancho Bernardo, which will be operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.); 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

- Jeff Ristine

Evacuation alert along Highway 94

Residents living along the Highway 94 corridor should prepare to evacuate, county officials say. The Harris Fire is moving northeast, threatening structures from Jamul to the east and to the Jamacha community to the west.

-- Sherry Saavedra, staff writer

Fire nears Pauma reservation

Homes on the Pauma Indian reservation are in the path of flames from the Poomacha fire, said tribal spokeswoman Joely Proudfit. The reservation is on state Route 76 in North County.

The reservation was evacuated and Casino Pauma -- housed in large metal-framed tents -- was closed Tuesday morning.

"Everybody's out," Proudfit said.

Firefighters are battling flames at a nearby orchard owned by the tribe.

- Onell R. Soto

Border Patrol pitches in

Border Patrol agents from San Diego are helping with the wildfire effort, agency officials said.

Since Sunday morning, agents have aided more than 200 illegal border crossers encountered in the path of the Harris Fire.

Many of the border crossers surrendered to agents after being surprised by the fast-moving fire, officials said.

Agents treated people for severe burns and evacuated them to local hospitals.

The Border Patrol is also contributing more than 300 agents a day to the San Diego County emergency effort. Agents are assisting local law enforcement officials with evacuations, traffic control, and perimeter control.

The Border Patrol’s horse unit has rescued more than 50 horses and transported them to local animal shelters, officials said.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Correction: Fires have not merged

Fire officials say the Witch and Poomacha fires have not merged, contrary to earlier official reports.

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Illegal immigrants suspected of stealing supplies

Six illegal immigrants who were suspected of stealing relief supplies from Qualcomm Stadium were arrested by Border Patrol agents after San Diego police stopped them Wednesday morning.

A woman who had been evacuated to the stadium told officers she saw the group load up two pickup trucks and a car with cots and other supplies, leave and then return, said police Sgt. Jesse Cesen~a.

When officers stopped them, a member of the group said they were being paid to take things of value from the stadium.

"They were stealing a lot of stuff," Cesen~a said. "We took the stuff back and we escorted them out. They were stealing from the people in need."

Because some members of the group spoke Spanish, officers called Border Patrol agents at the stadium for relief efforts. They determined the people were in the country illegally and arrested them.

The Border Patrol agents are among 100 that the federal agency has been providing for relief efforts, said agency spokesman Matthew Johnson. He said the agents are not looking for illegal immigrants among people seeking refuge at the stadium.

"We're not out there doing immigration stuff in the middle of a disaster," he said. "However, we still enforce the laws."

-- Onell R. Soto

More Harris Fire evacuation warnings

Cal Fire has issued an evacuation warning for the following areas:

Carve Acres Region: north of Wilson Creek, south of Pearson Canyon, east of Kearchoffer Flat and west of Horsethief Canyon

Lake Morena Village Region: south of Interstate 8, north of Hauser Canyon, east of Lake Morena and west of Buckman Springs

Lawson Valley Region: south of Loveland Reservoir, north of Lyon’s Valley, east of Beaver Hollow and west of Kearchoffer Flats

Japatul Valley Region: north of Japatul Road, south of Bell Bluff, east of Middle Mountain and west of Horsethief Canyon

Campo Region: south of Phelps Road, north of International Border, east of Forest Glen and west of La Posta Road

An evacuation “warning” is the alert of a potential threat to life and property. If an evacuation “order” is issued, residents will be notified by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department using the reverse 911 system. All residents should check into the evacuation center and leave contact numbers if not staying at the shelter, Cal Fire officials said.



Evacuation Routes:

Carve Acres Region – Japatul Valley Road to Interstate 8

Lake Morena Region – Buckman Springs Road to Interstate 8

Lawson Valley Region – Lawson Valley Road to Lyon’s Valley Road to Highway 94 West.

Japatul Valley Region – Japatul Valley Road to Interstate 8.

Campo Region – Highway 94 to Church Road to Interstate 8.


Public Shelter location for these areas:

Santana High School – Santee
9915 Magnolia Avenue
Santee
Phone: 858-309-1325
Thomas Brothers Map Page 1231 E4


Animal/Pet shelter location:

Large Animals – Lakeside Rodeo Grounds,
Highway 67 & Mapleview Street,
Lakeside

Small Animals – El Cajon Animal Shelter
1275 North Marshall Avenue
El Cajon
619-441-1580

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

Rincon feels left behind

A day after fire swept through Rincon Indian reservation, destroying 65 homes, trailers and other buildings, a tribal council member wondered when help would arrive.

"We were left behind, nobody here to help," said councilwoman Stephanie Spencer. "We are doing everything we can with our casino and all our resources here, but they don't last forever."

The Rincon and La Jolla reservations were hard hit by the Poomacha fire Tuesday morning, with tribal members and others seeking refuge in the Harrah's Rincon casino.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 350 people remained at the casino hotel.

The fire burned more than 50 homes at the La Jolla reservation on the flanks of Palomar Mountain, said Jim Fletcher, Southern California superintendent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

He said FEMA, Red Cross and other officials would meet with tribal leaders Tuesday.

-- Onell R. Soto, staff writer

Infrared images of fires

The U.S. Forest Service is providing online infrared imagery that shows the location and intensity of the Poomacha, Rice and Harris Fires.

Current images can be seen at http://www.fireimaging.com/

-- Jen Steele, staff writer

New fire at Camp Pendleton

A new fire has started on Camp Pendleton in the southeastern section of the base. The blaze started around 2 p.m. and is burning near the San Luis Rey gate which is also known as the back gate, Camp Pendleton officials said. The gate has been closed.
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Residents of the Serra Mesa housing unit are being relocated to another area on the base as a precaution.

Military members and their families can get more inforMation at www.pendleton.usmc.mil or they can call the main information line at (866) 430-2764.

Major transmission line up and running

The state grid operator says San Diego's major east-west electric transmission line has returned to service, reducing the threat of blackouts that would have added to the county's woes as it struggles with wildfires.
The California Independent System Operator said the Southwest Power Link was returned to service around 2:30 p.m. The line is capable of providing up to 1,750 megawatts of electricity, or more than half of expected demand in the region.
The link imports electricity from electric generating plants in Mexico and Arizona.
The transmission line was knocked out of service by the Harris fire on Sunday, leaving San Diego Gas & Electric almost entirely dependent on local generating facilities to satisfy the power demand of its 1.4 million customers.
Fire fighters and utility officials say the region's main north-south electric transmission lines connection continue to be threatened by the blazes that have erupted at Camp Pendleton and have operated at only partial capacity through much of the past 24 hours.
-- Craig Rose

Two more Escondido areas open

Escondido has reopened two more neighborhoods to evacuated residents: Rancho San Pasqual and Rancho Vista Monte, both on the eastern part of town.

No homes were damaged or destroyed in those areas.

Residents from Sonata and Sierra Linda were allowed back home earlier today.

The city may announce additional neighborhoods later today.

-- Elena Gaona, staff writer