EVACUATIONS IN ESCONDIDO AREA AS COCOS FIRE SPREADS EASTWARD
Update 10 p.m. : Officers in Escondido have detained a juvenile and an adult near the scene of a fire , 10 News reports. A shelter has been opened at Escondido High School as the Cocos Fire continues ravaging North County, only 5% contained after charring 1,200 acres thus far. In addition, a fatality is now reported in Carlsbad from the Poinsettia Fire. Evacuation orders have been lifted in Carlsbad, Pendleton and Fallbrook, the County Emergency site reports. The Bernardo Fire is now 75% at 15,048 acres and the Highway Fire is 100% contained at 380 acres. By Miriam Raftery May 15, 2014 (Escondido)—The fast-moving Cocos Fire that has burned over 1,200 acres and destroyed several homes south of State Route 78 remains only 5% contained during the second day of the conflagration. Evacuations have been ordered in Escondido, where U-T San Diego reports some homes have been lost. Numerous road closures are in effect as of 5 p.m., the County Emergency Services Department reports. View list of road closures, including a portion of the Del Dios Highway due to evacuations: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/updates/cocos-fire-road-closures-05-15-14-1659/ Flames scorched hillsides behind Cal State San Marcos today, where graduation has been cancelled. Smoke checks in several East County communities today prompted brief concerns, but none grew into major fires. The problem areas for firefighters remain blazes scorching across North County. In addition, a new fire erupted at Camp Pendleton this afternoon, charring 25 acres. The Tomahawk Fire at Pendleton has charred over 6,000 acres. The military base has offered use of 22 helicopters today. Marines are also fighting fires on the base.Four Cal Fire air tankers are also helping battle the blazes. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler told 10 News that today’s goal was to keep the fire out of Harmony Grove and protect structures. The Cocos Fire was law enforcement’s No. 1 focus today, according to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. “We are watching your neighborhoods, we are protecting your property while you’re gone,” Gore said, adding that 120 deputies were assigned to fire-related duties. He urged people to heed evacuation orders. Several thousand San Marcos-area residents were evacuated yesterday and today. The latest evacuation orders include Questhaven, Harmony Grove and parts of Elfin Forest in San Marcos and neighboring unincorporated areas of the county. Other evacuations were ordered in areas south of San Marcos Boulevard, including Coronado Hills, Discovery Hills, Elfin Forest, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, Questhaven and San Elijo Hills. The emergency room at Palomar Medical Center on Citracado Parkway was temporarily closed, officials said. People needing emergency care were asked to go to the hospital’s other facility at 555 E. Valley Parkway. “Everyone should still remain vigilant and stay on standby,” Jacob said at a press conference today.
CHAMBER HOSTS “GRIP IT AND RIP IT” GOLF TOURNAMENT MAY 22 AT SYCUAN RESORT
May 15, 2014 (El Cajon)—“The recent wildfires reminds us about how important it is to work and play together and build relationships that help us to work together when there is hardship in our communities. We hope you will join us next week and recover, relax, and enjoy our Grip it And Rip it Golf Tournament. It is a great opportunity to rebuild relationships for everyone,” said Eric Lund with the East County Chamber of Commerce. Slots are still available for the Grip it and Rip It golf tournament Thursday, May 22 at Sycuan Resort’s Pine Glen par 3 golf course. For $125 you will the opportunity to golf while meeting other prominent Chamber members like yourself. All golfers receive goodie bag, shirt, steak lunch, drink tickets, and dinner at the Awards After Party, plus opportunity drawing prizes, silent & live auction. NOT A GOLFER? Then join the Awards After Party. Only $25 per person. Includes a Mexican buffet on the patio, drink ticket and the opportunity to bid on silent and live auction items. For more details, visit: http://business.eastcountychamber.org/events/details/12th-annual-grip-it-rip-it-golf-tournament-1308
SCHOOL CLOSURE UPDATES FOR FRIDAY, MAY 16
Update: Grossmont Union High School District schools will be open, though CIF sports events remain cancelled. By Miriam Raftery May 15, 2014 (San Diego)–The safety and security of students, faculty, and staff is of the upmost importance to schools across the county, the County Office of Education’s website states. As the current wildfires change and grow, each school district will continue to monitor the local emergency situation and make school closure decisions on a day-by-day basis. Below is a list of schools that will be closed Friday, schools that will be open, and others that will announce their decision Friday morning. County school districts are considering factors such as: Location of the current fire(s) and proximity to campuses Air quality Weather conditions Difficulty in staffing school sites, with many school employees impacted by evacuations and unable to report for duty Public safety officials’ recommendation to keep the roads clear for emergency responders and evacuees Energy officials’ recommendations to conserve energy Each district in fire-impacted areas must inventory its sites for cleanliness and air quality, to ensure they are safe for children and staff to occupy. The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is providing guidance to support those efforts . The following school districts will be closed on Friday, May 16, 2014: Bonsall Union Carlsbad Unified Escondido Union Elementary Escondido Union High Fallbrook Union Elementary Fallbrook Union High Oceanside Unified Poway Unified San Marcos Unified San Pasqual Union Vallecitos Valley Center-Pauma Unified Vista Unified The following school districts will be open on Friday, May 16, 2014 unless conditions change/ deteriorate: Alpine Union* Borrego Springs Unified* Chula Vista Elementary* Coronado Unified Julian Union Elementary* Julian Union High* National* South Bay Union* Sweetwater High* The following school districts are monitoring and will make a decision about a possible school closures on Friday, May 16, 2014 as additional information becomes available: Cajon Valley Cardiff Dehesa Del Mar Union Encinitas Union Grossmont Union High Jamul-Dulzura Union* La Mesa-Spring Valley Lakeside Union Lemon Grove Mountain Empire Unified* Ramona Unified Rancho Santa Fe San Diego Unified San Dieguito Union High San Ysidro* Santee Solana Beach Spencer Valley* Warner Unified* * Indicates districts that are open today, May 15, 2014. Follow the San Diego County Office of Education on Twitter for tweets from various emergency agencies and school districts.
CHAMBER WARNS OF FIRE INSPECTION, REPAIR SCAMS
By Miriam Raftery May 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Chamber of Commerce is warning members to beware of con artists preying on businesses. “The Chamber is very concerned about the impacts of our recent disaster and we want to remind you that our staff and business community are available to assistance and support your business through hardships like these,” said Eric Lund. He also warned business owners about a rash off “mandatory fire inspector con artists” going around to businesses who are not with any fire department. “ They have been telling businesses that they need to allow for a fire inspection and then they are being sent a bill for the inspection. Do not fall for this con as the fire department does not charge for fire inspections,” Lund warned. “Also, if you have any cleanup at your business, be sure you do not contract with workers who require payment up front as this is another common scam after fires like we have had. Only pay partially and check to be sure the company is reputable.”