HUMANE SOCIETY RESCUES ANIMALS IN DISTRESS,PROVIDES RESOURCES AND HELP TO PET OWNERS IN BORDER FIRE
Source: San Diego Humane Society June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –As the #BorderFire continues to grow in East County, many people have been forced to evacuate, uncertain of options for their pets. San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Officers and Animal Rescue Reserve volunteer team have important information for pet owners in need of assistance. “The most important thing people can do is leave early and take your pets with you. If it’s not possible to exit your pets, call the San Diego County Department of Animal Services Emergency Dispatch Line for assistance with companion animals and San Diego Humane Society’s Animal Rescue Reserve team for assistance with livestock and farm animals. Our agencies are working collaboratively as we often do during these emergencies to ensure all animals are getting the care they need,” says Stephen MacKinnon, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement for San Diego Humane Society. San Diego Humane Society is currently working with the Red Cross to set up a pet-friendly shelter in conjunction with the evacuation center located at: Los Coches Middle School: 9669 Dunbar Lane, El Cajon, CA 92021 MacKinnon continues, “In addition to evacuating animals, one of our big concerns right now is getting food and water to pets and livestock who are not in immediate threat. So far we’ve provided care for horses, cows, llamas, goats, and a ranch of 250,000 chickens, but we will need additional supplies as the fire grows.” Donations of supplies can be delivered to: San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus: 5500 Gaines Street, San Diego, CA 92110 Most in need items include: Livestock food and hay Dog and cat food Cat litter For emergency assistance with evacuating animals, please call: Companion Animals – San Diego County Department of Animal Services Emergency Dispatch Line: (619) 236-2341 Livestock – San Diego Humane Society’s Animal Rescue Reserve: (619) 299-0871 For additional information on incorporating your pets into your Disaster Preparedness Plan, visit: http://www.sdhumane.org/pet-safety-tips-2/ Monetary donations to help support animal rescues are welcome and needed. Donations can be made to: San Diego Humane Society, 5500 Gaines Street, San Diego CA 92110; online at www.sdhumane.org; or by calling (619) 299-7012. About San Diego Humane Society’s Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) A program of San Diego Humane Law Enforcement department, ARR is a team of highly trained volunteers dedicated to assisting during disasters, by safely evacuating horses, livestock and household pets. ARR responds as needed anywhere in San Diego County when an animal is in peril and needs human intervention to be removed from a dangerous situation. About San Diego Humane Society Serving San Diego County since 1880, San Diego Humane Society’s scope of social responsibility goes beyond adopting animals. San Diego Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services to ‘Inspire Compassion’ in our community, prevent cruelty/neglect, provide medical care, educate the community on the humane treatment of animals and provide safety net services for all pet families needing assistance with keeping their pets. As one of San Diego’s oldest nonprofit organizations, San Diego Humane Society has campuses located in Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego as well as adoption centers inside Petco stores throughout San Diego County. San Diego Humane Society is supported solely through contributions, grants, bequests, investments, proceeds from the Muttique retail store and small fees for services. For more information or to view our current animals available for adoption; please visit www.sdhumane.org. Suggested Tweet: @sdhumane is rescuing animals & providing resources & assistance to those affected by #BorderFire. More here: http://ow.ly/EIhX301uZow
NEW PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE OFF STREETS
By Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office, courtesy County News Center June 21, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today accepted the Project One for All implementation plan that will provide people who are homeless and have serious mental illness access to a coordinated range of services, including housing and health care. Launched by Chairman Ron Roberts and Supervisor Greg Cox in February, Project One for All will increase outreach, housing and treatment services for individuals served by the program. According to the most recent estimates, there are about 1,250 people in San Diego County who are homeless and have serious mental illness. “We’re going to help those vulnerable men and women regardless of where they live in the County,” said Chairman Roberts. Project One For All will help place people who are homeless and have serious mental illness in treatment services paired with supportive housing to fully integrate housing, mental health services, primary health care, alcohol and drug services, case management and social services to help participants become stable and live more productive lives. “People with behavioral issues are the least likely to secure and maintain housing,” Supervisor Cox said. As a result of the project, hospitalizations, calls for emergency transport, and the frequency with which law enforcement responds to psychiatric emergencies are expected to decrease. In all, there are nine measures the County will use to monitor progress. The County is investing $16 million in support of Project One For All in the fiscal year starting July 1 and $19 million the following year. Funding comes from a mix of sources, including Mental Health Services Act, state and federal funds. In addition, the County and City of San Diego housing authorities are contributing $4 million in housing vouchers to the project in the coming fiscal year and $9 million next year. The County has also integrated the Department of Housing and Community Development into the Health and Human Services Agency in support of the project. The merge will become effective July 1, 2016. In the coming year, HHSA will expand outreach, engagement and treatment services as well as launch landlord recruitment and incentive programs. Project One for All supports the County’s Live Well San Diego vision for a healthy, safe and thriving region.
MAN FIRES SHOTS AS ANIMAL SERVICES ATTEMPTS RESCUE
By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office, courtesy County News Center Photo courtesy County of San Diego June 21, 2016 (Campo) – Things got hotter than they ever should have at the Border fire in the Campo area Monday when a man got a shotgun and fired shots to keep County employees from rescuing a burned emu. Sean Michael Shepherd, 32, was arrested and charged with negligent discharge of a firearm and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition Monday after the incident, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials said. Shepherd remained in jail Tuesday on $30,000 bail. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Monday. An animal control officer with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services was on patrol in a vehicle in Campo during the fire and responded to a report from a passerby about the injured emu. A County videographer was traveling with the officer. Sheriff’s officials said as the pair approached the bird, which appeared to be in distress, Shepherd accosted them and exchanged words with the employees. The emu does not belong to Shepherd, but to a neighbor. Shepherd went inside his home, returned with a shotgun and fired shots as the employees retreated. No one was hurt in the incident. The emu ran off and has not been seen by animal control officers since. County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson said animal rescues can be dangerous for the animals and the officers involved. She said California law and court decisions allow animal control officers to enter a property without a warrant when an officer has a reasonable belief that prompt action is needed to protect the welfare of an animal. Danielson said an officer’s objective is to protect and rescue injured animals. County animal services rescued dozens of animals threatened by the Border fire this week, including chickens, numerous dogs, sheep and horses. Local reporter Joe Little of 10News posted video of Animal Services officers in action. “Generally the public is very supportive of our officers in the field,” Danielson said. “The best thing they can do to help us is to keep their distance and watch quietly. Otherwise an injured animal can get spooked and run off. Then our officer loses an opportunity to help that animal.”
MANDATORY EVACUATION ISSUED FOR LAKE MORENA
Update 3:10 p.m. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office has issued an additional evacuation order for the following area. The area of the evacuation order is within the following boundaries; Pacific Crest Trail to the south, Buckman Springs Road to the east from Lake Morena Dr. to Morena Valley Road, Moreno Stokes Valley Road (Corral Canyon) at Sky Ranch (Sky Valley Road) to the west and Moreno Stokes Valley Road (Corral Canyon) at Buckman Springs Road to the east. New road closure is located at Buckman Springs Road at Old Buckman Springs. Additional public information regarding the Border Fire can be obtained by calling 2-1-1. Continue to follow updates of the incident on the twitter account @calfiresandiego. East County News Service June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – An update about the Border Fire has been issued. Lake Morena residents on the Campo/Lake Morena Neighborhood Watch Facebook page have posted that they have received calls and text alerts that a mandatory evacuation has been issued for Lake Morena. Sign up for free East County Wlidfire and Emergency Alerts via e-mail at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of our newsletter. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since some communications means may fail during a major regional emergency. You can also watch for updates at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS, NEIGHBORS COME TO RESCUE OF PETS AND LIVESTOCK IN BORDER FIRE
Photos: Animal Control officers comfort rescue rabbits; dogs rescued from Border Fire By Miriam Raftery June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – County animal control officers have carried out dozens of rescues of animals threatened by the Border Fire including everything from dogs and cats to sheep, horses and chickens. View video of rescue efforts: https://youtu.be/6lE-IwzbO04?t=16 . If you have animals left behind in the evacuation area that need food and water, call the county’s 24-hour emergency dispatch unit at 619-236-2341. Their work is at times hazardous – and not just from the fire. Yesterday the department reported on Twitter, “One of our Animal Control Officers found a burnt emu only to be threatened by the property owner and then shot at three times.” The officer was unharmed and Sheriff’s officials later arrested the suspect. Some residents have posted concerns on social media sites that emergency shelter information provided by county officials and CAL FIRE has at times not stated whether the shelters will allow pets or livestock, or whether any food is available there for animals. Yesterday an evacuation site for large animals quickly filled up. Ranchers and other nearby community members stepped up to the plate to help, posting information on social media sites about people willing to take in large animals as well as pets. Here are some local community online sites to check for updates on this and other news in the impacted communities: Rural East County Voice: https://www.facebook.com/Rural-East-County-Voice-1422091698031970/timeline Descanso Neighbors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1515348025344084/ Campo and Lake Morena Neighbors https://www.facebook.com/groups/345408365593244/ Border Fire: https://www.facebook.com/BORDERFIRE/ Brush Fire Partyline East County: https://www.facebook.com/Brush-Fire-Partyline-San-Diego-East-County-151582704905193/ In addition, Cal Fire offers this very helpful list of tips to protect your pets and livestock including preparing in case of evacuation, and what to do if you must leave animals behind when you evacuate. In addition to the tips they provide, we also recommend leaving a note on the door for firefighters in large print informing them if there are animals inside your home and which rooms they are located in. http://www.calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/Animalevacuation.pdf Some of the most important tips including having vaccination, medical records, registration papers and photos of your pets, and an emergency kit for each animal including pet carrier, 2 weeks supply of food and water, non-spill food and water bowls, any medication and first aid items, leashes/collars/harnesses and more. If you leave animals, provide enough water and food for several days. Do NOT rely on automatic water systems since power may be lost. Animals left inside can be left with a bathtub or large container filled with water. For outdoor animals, never leave them chained, so that firefighters can quickly free them if necessary if a fire is encroaching. Sign up for free East County Wlidfire and Emergency Alerts via e-mail at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of our newsletter. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since some communications means may fail during a major regional emergency. You can also watch for updates at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
EVACUATION WARNINGS ISSUED FOR LAKE MORENA, CAMPO: 800 STRUCTURES STILL THREATENED
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Border Fire, Day 1, by Leon Thompson June 21,2016 (Lake Morena/Campo) 1:30 p.m. – An evacuation warning has been issued for Lake Morena and Campo, Cal Fire has announced. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Potrero,Forrest Gate, Star Ranch, Cowboy Ranch,Dog Patch and Canyon City. 800 structures remain threatened and 4 outbuildings have been destroyed. Highway 94 is closed west of Buckman Springs to state route 188. The Pacific Coast Trail is also closed to hikers. “The fire continues to move to the north and northeast,threatening portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic trail as well as surrounding communities,” a Border 3 Fire Update issued by Cal Fire states. The update also indicates: “Excessive heat which is uncharacteristic for this time of year, steep terrain, extremely dry vegetation due to many years of drought, difficult access and winds have produced extremely erratic fire behavior making it very difficult for firefighters to mitigate this incident…Firefighters will continue to construct containment lines day and night to slow the growth of the fire eventually stopping the spread of the fire. “ The fire remains at 7,500 acres and 5% containment. A total of 1,484 personnel are battling the blaze that began Sunday. There are 158 engines, 12 water tenders, 6 helicopters, 4 air tankers, 32 hand crews, and 7 bulldozers. An evacuation center is located at Los Coches Creek Middle School, 9669 Dunbar Lane in EL Cajon. Cooperative agencies now include San Diego County Fire,SDG&E, Border Patrol, Cal Trans,CHP, San Diego Sheriff, Bureau of Land Management,Calif. Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Red Cross. Sign up for free East County Wlidfire and Emergency Alerts via e-mail at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of our newsletter. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since some communications means may fail during a major regional emergency. You can also watch for updates at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
UPDATE ON SCHOOLS AND GRADUATION SERVICE IN MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DISTRICT
By Miriam Raftery June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – All schools in the Mountain Empire school district remain closed today due to the Border Fire. The Mountain Empire High School graduation is tentatively set to be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. contingent on air quality and fire conditions. The 8th grade promotion will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. A message from the district adds: “We will make a decision on whether or not to hold classes tomorrow by 3 p.m. this afternoon. There is no phone or internet service to the 94 corridor schools because cell towers are down and the fiber for the major phone companies have been destroyed. We will update soon.” Sign up for free East County Wlidfire and Emergency Alerts via e-mail at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of our newsletter. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since some communications means may fail during a major regional emergency. You can also watch for updates at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
BORDER FIRE HOLDING AT 7500 ACRES, CAL FIRE REPORTS TODAY
By Miriam Raftery June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire has issued an update at 11:32 a.m. advising the Border Fire is holding at 7500 acres, but still only 5% contained. Evacuation orders remain in place for Forest Gate, Star Ranch, Cowboy Ranch, Dog Patch and Canyon City. The Red Cross has an evacuation shelter set up at Los Coches Creek Middle School at 9669 Dunbar Lane in El Cajon. Slightly cooler weather and high clouds are aiding firefighters continuing to battle the blaze that began Sunday at 11:04 a.m. Residents in the area late this morning report the winds are blowing east to northeast. For those animals that were left behind by their owners but are in a safe area of the evacuation area, the Department of Animal Services is providing food and water to those animals. If you have animals in the evacuation area that need food and water, please call our 24 hour emergency dispatch unit at 619.236.2341. Per SDGE, power is out to 31 customers in Potrero, Dulzura and Campo, as well as 42 in Lake Morena. Power restoration is predicted for tomorrow, June 22 at noon. Watch for more details to be posted here soon. Sign up for free East County Wlidfire and Emergency Alerts via e-mail at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of our newsletter. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above since some communications means may fail during a major regional emergency. You can also watch for updates at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
RESCUES AND A SMALL FIRE AT THREE SISTERS FALLS
East County News Service Photo: Hikers at trailhead to Three Sisters Falls (file photo) June 20, 2016 (Julian) – Yesterday, a small vegetation fire off Boulder Creek Road a half mile from Three Sisters Falls near Julian was swiftly doused. Palomar Hot Shots, helicopters, U.S. Forest Service and a Cal Fire air tanker attacked the blaze when it had charred only a quarter of an acre at mid-morning yesterday. A sign at Perkins Store in Descanso, along the entry route to the falls, warned visitors that the falls were closed due to the fire. But by mid-afternoon, NBC 7 news reported that three hikers were flown out of Three Sisters Falls due to heat-related medical issues, Cal Fire confirmed. Hiking to the falls is not advisable during high heat due to the long, steep trail largely without shade. Many hikers also fail to carry adequate quantities of water, making Three Sisters Falls and nearby Cedar Creek Falls the scene of many rescues due to heat exhaustion through the years.
READER’S EDITORIAL: STAND TOGETHER #WITHREFUGEES ON #WORLDREFUGEEDAY
By Elizabeth Lou June 20, 2016 (San Diego) — With all the cataclysmic incidences happening around the world, the refugee crisis is one of chief concerns in recent history. Refugees are a population of concern because they are displaced due to unwarranted circumstances including armed conflict and political or religious persecution. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 65 million displaced people in the world. That is approximately the populations of two U.S. states, California and Texas combined. Every year during the month of June, the international community commemorates the plight of refugees, as well as their contributions to their respective host countries. Although the month of June is globally recognized as Refugee Awareness Month, June 20th is officially recognized by the United Nations as World Refugee Day. This day holds significant meaning for me, not only because of the important work that my dedicated team and I carry out at Nile Sisters Development Initiative, in assisting refugees and other populations of concern in San Diego County (the State of California’s largest refugee resettlement site), but also because I am a former refugee. In 1996, my young family which comprised of five fledgling children, my oldest son being 10 years old and my youngest daughter only three years old, fled from Sudan with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We, similar to today’s 65 million displaced population, did not know what life we would find, but we had courage. We possessed the courage to aimlessly seek for peace and stability. We were intent on finding a new home, irrespective of the struggles, we wanted to live. The United States of America was good to us. It welcomed my family and prepared my children to be active contributing members of our society. This was done for us by others — people who stood with refugees running from turmoil and in many cases, eminent demise, so that we may live and someday prosper. Today, I am privileged to be an advocate for refugees, just like the countless others who campaigned for me and my young family. On World Refugee Day (June 20, 2016), join me and millions of other advocates in standing for our humanity. Join us in recognizing the perils that refugees endure on their journey to a safe home, and the countless contributions that they make to their new communities. We Stand #With Refugees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtv4LCXEGEU About Elizabeth Lou Elizabeth Lou is the founder and President/CEO of Nile Sisters Development Initiative, a community-based organization situated in San Diego, CA. Her commitment to the refugee and immigrant populations in San Diego County has earned several recognitions at local, state and national levels including The President’s Volunteer Service Award from U.S. President Barack Obama and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights from the United Nations Association of the USA. Elizabeth can be reached at elou@nilesisters.org. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.