FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR SAN DIEGO MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS FRIDAY
Storms to continue through weekend July 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather statement for our region, including a flash flood watch for mountains and deserts in East County through Friday night, with storms forecast through Sunday. A surge of monsoonal moisture moving across southwestern California is forecast to create thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening capable of producing heavy rain, hail and runoff that can rapidly overflow normally dry creeks and streams. “Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation,” the NWS warns, urging residents to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if the flash flood watch is upgraded to a flash flood warning, meaning flooding is imminent. Thunderstorms are possible again on Saturday afternoon over the mountains and deserts, as well as Sunday over local mountains. Gusty winds are also expected. A no-burn order issued by Cal-Fire remains in effect on state-controlled portions of San Diego County due to continued fire danger, including potential for lightning-caused wildfires.
WILDFIRE DOUSED NEAR HOMES IN LAKESIDE
Photos and Video by Billy Ortiz July 12, 2012 (Lakeside) – A brush fire briefly threatened homes at I-8 and Los Coches Road near in Lakeside early this afternoon. Thanks to a full wildland fire response, the blaze was extinguished in about 20 minutes. "As I traveled up Los Coches Road, I spotted flames and smoke near a housing track. I called 911 and they dispatched fire crews. Within 5 minutes fire engine crews were on the scene," said ECM photographer Billy Ortiz, who shot this dramatic video as firefighters battled the blaze and concerned residents looked on. While bystanders speculated that the fire may have been started by a cigarette, fire officials have not yet determined the cause. Sign up for free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter for brief text messages on your mobile device. We recommend both, since you don’t know what form of communications will be working in a major regional emergency.
DESCANSO DAYS: PARADE AND FAIR JULY 14
July 12, 2012 (Descanso) – Help fund preservation of Descanso’s historic town hall, built in 1899, by joining in this vintage Americana celebration in East County. Descanso Days fun begins with the “Proud to be an American” parade on Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m. The parade route starts at Viejas Grade Road in Descanso and ends at the town’s elementary school. Later, enjoy live music by Pine Creek Posse Band as well as a bluegrass band and a “tin” band. The fair, held at the Descanso Town Hall, 24536 Viejas Grade Road in Descanso, also features arts and crafts, games, rides for kids, food and beverages. The fair runs until 6 p.m. on Saturday. Listen to Pine Creek Posse Band’s music: http://www.pinecreekposse.com/id10.html For more information, see: http://www.descansotownhall.org/
ART IN THE PARK: MISSION TRAILS JULY 14
July 12, 2012 (Mission Trails) — The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and the California Art Club will present Treasures of the Mission Trails Regional Park Art Exhibit and Benefit on July 14 from 6-8:30 p.m. Renowned Native American Flute Player Tim Romero will be performing and George Cowles, East County resident circa 1873-1883, will return in character. The event will also include fine art, fine wine, cheese and chocolate. Members of the California Art Club have been creating plein-air paintings of Mission Trails for the past several months. The best of these paintings will be available to purchase and the proceeds will benefit both non-profit organizations. Mission Trails Regional Park’s Visitor Center is located at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. Tickets are $35 for an individual and $50 per couple and can be purchased at http://www.mtrp.org/index.asp. For more information: Email: jwilson@mtrp.org Phone: (619) 582-4502 Website: www.mtrp.org.
FREE FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE AT VIEJAS JULY 13
July 12, 2012 (Alpine)—Old blue eyes is back—at least in spirit. Frank Sinatra impersonator Monty Aidem will perform a free tribute concert on Friday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight in the V Lounge at Viejas Casino. Aidem has performed at top casinos in Las Vegas and other major venues. View clips of Aidem’s past performances at http://www.franktribute.com/. Get directions to Viejas Casino at www.viejas.com.
CHIEF’S CORNER: LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS
By Sam Giovanna East County Magazine’s in-house fire chief July 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –Following proven safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death from lightning strikes. Lightning safety tips The following tips are provided by the American Meteorological Society and the National Lighting Safety Institution. Safe places No place is absolutely safe from a lightning threat; however, some places are safer than others: • During a lightning storm, find shelter in a substantial building or a motor vehicle (windows closed). • Large enclosed structures (substantially constructed buildings) tend to be much safer than smaller or open structures. • When indoors, avoid use of the telephone, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc. • Fully enclosed metal vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, vans or other fully enclosed vehicles provide good shelter from lightning when the windows are rolled up. Avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside or inside the vehicle. • Avoid being in or near high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, communications towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.). • If you are caught outside in a lightning storm, stay clear of trees or canopies. Crouch down, put your feet together and cover your ears to limit possible hearing damage. Keep at least 15 feet away from other people. • Stay away from windows. • Stay off the phone unless you need to make an emergency phone call. • Don’t shower during a monsoon storm – lightning can pass through metal pipes. Safety guidelines • Generally speaking, if you can see lightning and/or hear thunder, you are already at risk. • Suspend outdoor activities whenever you see lightning or hear thunder. Avoid water, high ground, open spaces and all metal objects. • Louder or more frequent thunder indicates that lightning is approaching, thus increasing the risk for lightning injury or death. • If the time delay between seeing the flash (lightning) and hearing a thunderclap is less than 30 seconds, you should be in, or seek a safe location (see above). • High winds, rainfall, and cloud cover often act as precursors to actual cloud-to-ground strikes notifying individuals to take action. • Many lightning casualties occur as a storm approaches, because people ignore these precursors. Also, many lightning casualties occur after the perceived threat has passed. • Wait at least 30 minutes after a lightning storm has passed to resume outdoor activities. Generally, the lightning threat diminishes with time after the last sound of thunder, but may persist for more than 30 minutes. When thunderstorms are in the area but not overhead, the lightning threat can exist even when it is sunny and not raining. When available, pay attention to weather warning devices such as weather radio and/or credible lightning detection systems, especially if you are a school teacher, camp counselor, coach, lifeguard or otherwise responsible for the safety of others. Evacuation times are longer for groups. Resuscitation of lightning victims Most people actually can survive an encounter with lightning, especially with timely medical treatment. People struck by lightning do not carry a charge and it is safe to touch them to render medical treatment. First, if a phone is available, call 911 to provide directions and information about the likely number of victims. If the area where the victim is located is a high risk area (mountain top, isolated tree, open field, etc.) with a continuing thunderstorm, rescuers may be placing themselves in significant danger and are cautioned to minimize their exposure to lightning as much as possible. If the victim is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. • Apply first aid procedures to lightning victims (if you are trained and qualified to administer first aid). They will not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Call 911 or send for medical assistance. • If it is decided to move the victim, give a few quick breaths prior to moving them. • Determine if the victim has a pulse by checking the pulse at the carotid artery (side of the neck) or femoral artery (groin) for at least 20 to 30 seconds. • If no pulse is detected, start cardiac compressions as well. • In situations that are cold and wet, putting a protective layer between the victim and the ground may decrease the hypothermia that the victim suffers which can further complicate the resuscitation. • In wilderness areas and those far from medical care, prolonged basic CPR is of little use: the victim is unlikely to recover if they do not respond within the first few minutes. • If the pulse returns, the rescuer should continue ventilation with rescue breathing if needed for as long as practical in a wilderness situation.