ESCAPE TO TROPICAL PARADISE: LAS HERMANAS BENEFIT MAY 23
May 15, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)–San Diego Las Hermanas, a group of women dedicated to meeting the needs of East County, has raised over $600,000 for local charities in the 12 years they have been serving the community. This year they are raising money for Fostering Opportunities/Dollars for Scholars, Include Autism and The Challenge Center. This year’s event is “Escape to Tropical Paradise” to be held Friday, May 23, 2014 at Cottonwood Golf Club. For more information, visit www.sdlashermanas.com .
FIRES CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGES ACROSS NORTH COUNTY
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Facebook/Camp Pendleton Scout May 15, 2014 (San Diego) 1 a.m. – Wildfires have scorched 9,196 acres, the County Emergency Services Department has announced. Alert San Diego has sent 121,878 notices to residents to evacuate or prepare to evacuate. Several major fires continue to burn in north San Diego County tonight and several structures have been lost. Below are updates on each of these incidents. The largest of these is the Tomahawk Fire, which has burned 6,000 acres and forced evacuation of military housing on Camp Pendleton and the Naval Weapons Station at Fallbrook. This fire forced closure of I-5 earlier today. A second fire on Camp Pendleton burned 30 acres. The Highway Fire in Deer Springs has burned 600 acres and is 5 percent contained. Evacuations have been lifted for this fire. The Cocos Fire in San Marcos has burned 500 acres with no containment, forcing evacuation of over 21,000 people and cancellation of graduation ceremonies at California State University San Marcos. Five structures have been destroyed and two more were damaged. This incident is under unified command with CAL FIRE, San Marcos Fire Department and Elfin Forest Fire. Evacuation orders are still in effect for over 600 residents. The Bernardo Fire in San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe has burned 1,548 acres with 50 percent containment. This fire is under unified command with CAL FIRE, San Diego Fire Rescue and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department. The Poinsettia Fire has caused $18.5 million worth of damages, the City of Carlsbad estimates, including loss of an 18-unit multi-family housing unit, eight single-family homes and a commercial building. An estimated 400 acres have burned. For an update on evacuations, visit www.carlsbadca.gov. The River Fire in Oceanside burned 100 acres, while a fire in Lakeside in East County late today charred 17 acres before it was contained. In addition, a small fire in Escondido burned one acre. If you need emergency assistance in evacuation, call 9-1-1. Residents are urged to call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls and visit www.sdcountyemergency.com for updates online. Shelters for large animals and livestock are listed on the County of San Diego emergency website. Contact the County’s Department of Animal Services dispatch line at (619) 236-2341 for additional animal evacuation and shelter information.
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
May 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: LOCAL U-Haul offering free storage to fire evacuees (KUSI) Displaced pet information (CBS-8) El Cajon puts moratorium on hookah lounges (U-T San Diego) Nuclear deal slams consumers, as usual(U-T San Diego) Biotech conference will draw 16,000, feature Hilary Clinton (Times of San Diego) La Mesa Council supports change to clerk job (La Mesa Today) San Diego Opera and Ken Cinema present `A Night At The Opera’ (KPBS) STATE Governor Brown urges Californians to prepare for long fire season (KUSI) Governor Brown calls for ‘rainy day fund’, urges fix to teachers pension fund (Times of San Diego) Gov. Brown signs law requiring political nonprofits to disclose donors (Sacramento Bee) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL U-Haul offering free storage to fire evacuees (KUSI) Evacuees or other residents affected by this week’s spate of wildfires in San Diego County will be provided 30 days of free self-storage, and U-Box portable moving and self-storage pods, by the U-Haul Company of Oceanside, the company announced Wednesday. Displaced pet information (CBS-8) List of locations accepting pets during the San Diego wildfires. El Cajon puts moratorium on hookah lounges (U-T San Diego) Long a leader in setting anti-smoking policy in San Diego County, the city of El Cajon continues to crack down on electronic cigarettes, hookah pipes and venues where they are sold and used. Nuclear deal slams consumers, as usual(U-T San Diego) Consumers don’t stand much of a chance in the California regulatory crap shoot. That’s the main lesson from a settlement that would stick consumers with a $3.3 billion first installment on the bill for shutting down the San Onofre nuclear plant. Biotech conference will draw 16,000, feature Hilary Clinton (Times of San Diego) San Diego biotechnology leaders are planning to host the world’s largest biotech convention in June, drawing some 16,000 people from 65 countries and featuring a keynote address by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Bio International Convention will be held June 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center. It is the third time San Diego has hosted the convention, which was last here in 2008. La Mesa Council supports change to clerk job (La Mesa Today) The La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to continue pursuing an effort to convert the City Clerk’s position from an elected post to an appointed job. San Diego Opera and Ken Cinema present `A Night At The Opera’ (KPBS) Good things can come from bad. Landmark’s Ken Cinema almost closed and now Landmark is working with San Diego Opera on a fundraiser to help that organization stay open as well. Woo-hoo! STATE Governor Brown urges Californians to prepare for long fire season (KUSI) As flames tore through a swath of San Diego County from 4S Ranch to Rancho Santa Fe, Gov. Jerry Brown Tuesday urged Californians to prepare for what could be a long and severe fire season. “Fire season, first of all, is starting much earlier and will last much longer,” Brown said at a San Diego news conference to tout revisions to his proposed state budget. Governor Brown calls for ‘rainy day fund’, urges fix to teachers pension fund (Times of San Diego) On a day his San Diego visit was overshadowed by fire, Gov. Jerry Brown talked up a $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” as part of his revised budget Tuesday and called on legislators to spend the reserve funds wisely. Gov. Brown signs law requiring political nonprofits to disclose donors (Sacramento Bee) Nonprofit organizations that make political contributions in California will have to disclose more information about the source of their money under a law Gov. Jerry Brown signed Wednesday.
SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE FINDS COMMON GROUND
By Jeffrey Meyer May 14, 2014 (San Diego) — Various community and industry leaders found common ground on the conflictive issue of climate change, at a University of San Diego symposium Tuesday, agreeing that it is important that we act now to avoid the worst affects of global warming. Speaking at the day long event, sponsored by the San Diego World Affairs Council, local scientists, politicians and industry leaders agreed that the economic costs of not dealing with climate change will only increase over time. Warning about extreme weather events, fires exacerbated by climate-related drought and rising sea levels around the world caused by global warming, keynote speaker Dr. Ralph Keeling, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said the world must reduce the burning of fossil fuels by 57 percent in order to stabilize carbon dioxide levels at 450 parts per million. He noted that we are already at dangerous levels with April readings of 401 ppm that will bring severe climate changes to the world. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters told the group they cannot wait for gridlocked politicians in Washington D.C. to address climate change, explaining that state and local laws give San Diegans the power to mitigate expected damages from global warming. Noting the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 and the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, he urged symposium attendees to press state and local officials for compliance with those laws. “The polarization in Congress over climate change has stopped any kind of legislation. It has become too politicized and committees that are supposed to work on this issue are stacked with shrill climate deniers who claim it is all a hoax,” he explained. Although renewables were the focus in various panel discussions at the symposium, Chief Nuclear Scientist Robert Schleicher, General Atomics, explained that new technologies have made nuclear energy much safer. He noted recent advances by his company, as well as the new Bill Gates funded TerraPower reactor, that can make its own fuel inside the reactor core. He said the new technologies basically allow spent fuel to be converted into energy. What is key to dealing with mitigating the worst impacts of climate change is getting other countries on board, according to former Ambassador Reno Harnish, Director of the Center for Environment and National Security, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of San Diego. He noted the only way forward is to forge a diplomatic solution, first with China and secondly with India. “Our biggest concern is political destabilization with flooding of low lying areas and other impacts brought by climate change. It increases the chance of conflict in many regions of the world,” Harnish said. “Extreme events will convince the American people to act now to mitigate damage from climate change.” Closing keynote speaker, Rear Admiral Leendert “Len” Hering Sr. (U.S. Navy, retired), Executive Director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, noted that San Diego is in the 12th year of a drought and faces a constant threat of fires because of dry conditions. Since it takes three years to recover from each year of drought, he added, it will be three decades before we recover. Hering is the founder of the largest sustainability business partnership in San Diego County, the San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership, a consortium of business, government, academic and community organizations promoting practices that support a sustainable future for the region. The San Diego World Affairs Council is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating and engaging San Diegans in global issues, international relations, and cultural understanding.
EL CAJON SEEKS ANCHOR TENANTS FOR EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
By Miriam Raftery May 15, 2014 (El Cajon)-The City of El Cajon has issued a Request for Statement of Interest for those interested in using the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) facility. The deadline for submittal is Monday, June 16, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. The City is seeking anchor tenants or partners who wish to utilize the facility for at least five years in a consistent and substantial manner. The Rock Church has already made a proposal, which is under consideration, however the City Council has determined it is “prudent” to determine if there are other interested parties, a statement from the city indicates. The City Council has expressed intent to renovate and reopen the performing arts center in the near future, with a likely opening in 2015, the statement adds. Prior to completing the renovation design plans or commencing construction, the City wishes to determine if there are potential long-term tenants in the marketplace who would like to communicate their proposals to the City of El Cajon. “Re-opening of the East County Performing Arts Center will be an exciting event, not only for El Cajon, but for the entire region,” said El Cajon City Manager Doug Williford. “With a 1,145 seat capacity, it is one of the largest indoor event centers within the region and has a long history of being host to many memorable performing arts and entertainment events. As we prepare the Center for its bright future, it is important to the City that we investigate important opportunities to ensure the facility’s long-term success.” For more information on the Request for Statement of Interest, the full document can be found on the front page of the City’s website at www.cityofelcajon.us.
FIRE IN LAKESIDE STOPPED AT 17 ACRES, EVACUATIONS LIFTED
By Nadin Abbott May 14, 2014 (Lakeside)–A brush fire Lakeside along I-8 business route and Aurora Drive sent up billows of dark smoke visible across much of East County late today. The blaze, which started atop a small hill, charred 17 acres, according to Chief Andy Parr Of Lakeside Fire. Evacuation notices sent to 1,300 residences have now been lifted. A road closure on Aurora Drive will remain in effect overnight. Chief Parr applauded the effort of homeowners, who maintained defensible space that saved homes from destruction. Although the fire burned close to structures, none were lost or damaged. Some homeowners stayed behind, one watering down property with a garden hose. A witness told ECM she saw a transformer explode, however officials have not yet released the cause of the fire and SDG&E did not confirm whether its equipment caused the blaze. Chief Parr said some overhead power lines did catch fire. Power remains out in the area and according to the SDG&E site, no estimated restoration time has yet been established. The crews that responded to the fire were those left behind at their regular stations.This ability to respond to this wild fire was part of the up staffing done in preparation for this weather that all agencies enacted before the weather came in like a sledgehammer. So, while there is a major response to North County fires, including Heartland and CAL FIRE units, there were reportedly enough staff to answer medical aid calls and respond to fires in the East County. Winds kept shifting, causing problems for firefighters at this and other fires today. and Chief Parr said that crews had to “be on their toes, and be aware of conditions.” When I left at 8 p.m., firefighters were still fighting some spotting on the hillside, driven by small wind gusts. ECM also talked to Breanna Keenan and Sarah Phillips, two teens who live in the area. Both said that they were very nervous when the fire started. Breanna added that the firefighters “saved us.” The teens were happy, however, to learn that their schools in Lakeside Unified and San Diego Unified will be closed tomorrow. The fire started at around tp.m. The teens saw the smoke and heard the sirens. Their families received reverse 911 calls and they were packed and ready to go. They followed the events on Instagram and Twitter, joking that Facebook is for old people. Like many of their neighbors, they watched firefighters fight the fire and fortunately, bring it under control.
GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Source: San Diego County News Service May 14, 2014 (San Diego)– Governor Jerry Brown has proclaimed a State of Emergency this evening after the County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency earlier in the day and requested the state declaration. The local and state proclamations mean the County can more easily access state and federal resources as needed to help in fighting the fires. The state proclamation notes that a Federal Management Assistance Grant has been requested and approved by FEMA for the Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad. Under the federal Fire Management Assistance Grant Program, the federal government shares the costs of local fires. Full text of the Governor’s press release and proclamation are below. 5-14-2014 SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for San Diego County following recent wildfires that have burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes and other structures, damaged critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of thousands of residents. The full text of the emergency proclamation is below: A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEREAS wildfires started on May 13, 2014 in the County of San Diego that are currently burning and have burned over 2,000 acres; and WHEREAS the fires have destroyed structures, including homes, and continue to threaten homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents; and WHEREAS the fires have damaged and continue to threaten critical infrastructure, including power lines, and have forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and WHEREAS extremely dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds make these fires difficult to contain and are causing the fire to spread rapidly; and WHEREAS a Fire Management Assistant Grant has been requested and approved for the Poinsettia Fire on May 14, 2014; and WHEREAS on May 14, 2014, the County of San Diego declared a local emergency to exist county-wide and requested that I proclaim a state of emergency; and WHEREAS the circumstances of these wildfires, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exists within the County of San Diego due to these events. NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the County of San Diego. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all citizens are to heed the advice of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety. I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 14th day of May 2014. __________________________ EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of California
CIF ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS CANCELLED COUNTYWIDE FOR THURSDAY
East County News Service May 14, 2014 (San Diego)–All California Interscholastic Scholarship Federation (CIF) athletic competitions scheduled for Thursday, May 15 are cancelled in San Diego County. No contests are to be played in any sport. “The fires themselves, the fluidity of circumstances, air quality, traffic/travel, school closures and school access are all issues that have prompted this cancellation,” said Jerry Schniepp, commissioner, CIF San Diego section. Circumstances will be reviewed on Thursday and information will be provided via e-mail and on the CIFSDS website regarding competition on Friday and Saturday. He added, “We will also provide information on games that cannot be made up (due to playoff seeding) and any changes to the CIF calendar as a result of the cancellations. Stay safe and thank you for your cooperation.”
WILDFIRE UPDATES
By Miriam Raftery May 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) 8 p.m. — Southern California Emergency Services has published a map of 9 fires burning across the region, as of 6 p.m. this evening: https://twitter.com/SoCalEMSFire/status/466748689151954946/photo/1 Firefighters have gained control of the Sterling Fire in Lakeside, where 1,300 households were evacuated and residents are projected to be allowed back home around 9 p.m. An eyewitness, Elizabeth Galloway, told ECM she saw a transformer explode, which apparently caused the fire. Galloway sent the photo at the top of this page. A red flag warning has been extended through tomorrow night due to strong winds forecast and hot, triple-digit weather. For updates on the following fires, visit these links: #BernardoFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BernardoFire&src=hash #TomahawkFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TomahawkFire&src=hash #HighwayFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23HighwayFire&src=hash #OceansideFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OceansideFire&src=hash #PoinsettiaFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PoinsettiaFire&src=hash #SanMarcosFire/#WashingtoniaFire https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SanMarcosFire&src=hash and https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WashingtoniaFire&src=hash In Spring Valley, San Miguel Fire has halted forward spread of a small fire along del Rio Road. A reader at Brush Fire Party Line has posted an unconfirmed report of a fire on Marron Valley Road in the Dulzura area at 6 p.m. A fire at Jamacha Blvd. and Campo Road was also reported shortly before 7 p.m. A new fire is reported on State Route 52 at Regents and Genessee, San Diego Scanner reports. The California Highway Patrol reports more road closures: Old Highway 395 in both directions from Dulin Road to Lilac Road Eastbound Highway 78 Twin Oaks Valley offramp is closed but Highway 78 remains open Business Interstate 8 (also known as Old Highway 80) between Las Coches Road and Main Street. (photo, right, of today’s fire near Los Coches, taken by Jerrie Dean) If you need emergency assistance in evacuation, call 9-1-1. The County urges people NOT to call the 911 system unless it is a dire emergency. They ask citizens use the 211 system. The 911 system is taxed. Shawn Schick told ECM she tried to call 911 to report the Lakeside fire and got a busy signal this afternoon. A state of emergency has been declared countwide by Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors. Countywide, approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated. Major fires continue burning in North County including the Camp Pendleton Fire, that has charred over 1,000 acres, and a Carlsbad fire that has burned at least eight homes. Reader Joseph Moulton sent a photo taken atop Palomar Mountain’s fire lookout today showing three fires: the Poinsettia fire near Palomar Airport, Highway Fire at Deer Springs, and the fire on East Camp Pendleton. (Photo, right) Interstate 15 is now open in both directions in San Diego County, California Highway Patrol is reporting. http://sdcountyemergency.com/updates/i-15-re-opened-5-14-14-1701/ The California Highway Patrol reports three more road closures: Old Highway 395 in both directions from Dulin Road to Lilac Road Eastbound Highway 78 Twin Oaks Valley offramp is closed but Highway 78 remains open Business Interstate 8 (also known as Old Highway 80) between Las Coches Road and Main Street. If you need emergency assistance in evacuation, call 9-1-1. The Highway Fire, which is burning near Old Highway 395 and Interstate 15 in Bonsall. An evacuation center has been set up at Fallbrook High School located at 2400 South Stage Coach Lane. The Bernardo Fire is now 50% contained, burning west of Black Mountain Ranch, San Diego Sheriff reports. The San Marcos Fire, burning near Lake Hodges, Cal State San Marcos and nearby communities remain evacuated; evacuation centers are set up at Mission Hills High School and San Marcos Middle School Large animals can be taken to Oceanside Ivy Ranch at 110 Rancho Del Oro in Oceanside, Cloverdale Ranch at 2460 Cloverdale Road in Escondido or Warner Ranch at 10950 Pala Road in Pala. A fire in Mexico is putting up significant smoke visible across the southeast portion of the County. For more information on the fires and non-emergency calls, call 2-1-1 or visit the San Diego County Emergency Site at www.sdcountyemergency.com. Sign up for free Viejas Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage and follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter to get alerts on your mobilephone.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSED TOMORROW DUE TO WILDFIRES
By Miriam Raftery March 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)–Dozens of school districts closed tomorrow due to the wildfires, air quality issues and road closures. These include Cajon Valley, Escondido, Grossmont Union High School District, Lakeside, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Poway, Ramona, Santee, and San Pasqual school districts in the inland region as well as San Diego Unified. For additional closures http://www.sdcoe.net/news/Pages/2014-school-closure-update.aspx California State University San Marcos remains closed after today’s evacuation and graduation ceremonies set for tomorrow will be rescheduled. The Grossmont Union High School District will reschedule AP testing planned originally for tomorrow. San Diego State University will remain open and graduations set for May 15-18 will be held, the campus website states. Additional closures may be announced so check with your school district if it does not appear on the lists above.