East County Magazine
ELECTED OFFICIALS REACT WITH ANGER TO FEMA DEMANDING REPAYMENT FROM FIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 15, 2011 (Potrero) – Local elected officials have reacted with outrage to news that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sent a letter demanding
FIREFIGHTERS HALT FIRE AT ROCK QUARRY DESPITE EXPLOSIONS, LACK OF WATER
Printer-friendly version May 15, 2011 (Spring Valley) – A fire at the McGrath rock quarry resulted in a multi-agency response hindered by explosions from combustibles and ammunition in storage on
FEMA TO DISASTER VICTIMS: SEND BACK EVERY PENNY
Printer-friendly version Harris Fire survivors among thousands nationwide ordered to return money to FEMA By Miriam Raftery May 12, 2011 (Potrero) – Donald and Veronica Lytle are stunned after receiving
BRUSH FIRE IN JACUMBA
Printer-friendly version May 11, 2011 (Jacumba) – A brush fire along I-8 and the border checkpoint in Jacumba has grown to 4 or 5 acres or more, Incident Page Network
IT’S WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK: CAL-FIRE PROVIDES INFO TO HELP HOMEOWNERS PREPARE
Printer-friendly version May 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)–With fire season around the corner, Governor Jerry Brown declared May 1-7 “Wildfire Awareness Week.” CAL FIRE urges homeowners to be prepared.
BRUSH FIRE IN SANTEE DOUSED
Printer-friendly version Update 7 p.m. The fire is now out, after charring over 12 acres and briefly threatening homes. View our video shot by Billy Ortiz by
FIREFIGHTERS STAGE DRILL AT EX-BLOCKBUSTER SITE IN CASA DE ORO
Printer-friendly version May 2, 2011 (East County) — A multi-company/ multi-agency drill hosted by the San Miguel Fire District was held yesterday, givingEast County fire agencies an opportunity to work together to
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WARNS OF DANGERS FROM USE OF GENERATORS
Printer-friendly version May 2, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Backcountry residents in San Diego County have repeatedly been advised to purchase generators if they are concerned over power shut-downs proposed by
BRUSH FIRE DOUSED IN PARADISE HILLS
Printer-friendly version May 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A small brush fire scorched less than quarter of an acre this afternoon near Bell Junior High School on Briarwood
GETTING THEIR GOATS: HOMEOWNERS HIRE FOUR-FOOTED BRUSH CLEARING CREW
Printer-friendly version April 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – Heavy rains this winter have led to rapid growth of brush—posing high fire danger as the weather warms up. Fire officials caution that
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More storms on the way, free sandbags available
Printer-friendly version By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are

Fire destroys 2 businesses in Spring Valley
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 26, 2026 (Spring Valley) — A three-alarm fire that broke out around 2:45 a.m. destroyed two businesses in a strip mall at 8300 Paradise

CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one

Escaped felon in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 24, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation is looking to the public for help in locating a wanted felon who escaped

SDG&E urges caution around downed power lines
Printer-friendly versionSource: SDG&E December 24, 2025 (San Diego) – With the current rainstorm approaching our region, SDG&E is urging the public to exercise caution around downed power lines. During rainstorms, power

Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes honored for heroism: saved fire captain who fell through floor in a burning building
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: Chief Don Butz, left, and Batallion Chief Eric Stamm commend firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes View video by Shiloh Ireland By Shiloh Ireland Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

Holiday season safety tips & reminders from the California Fire Foundation and PSA program
Printer-friendly versionSource: California Fire Foundation November 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive

Border 18 Fire burning south of Dulzura
Printer-friendly version Photo courtesy UC San Diego East County News Service November 8, 2025 (San Diego County) — CalFire is on scene at a fire being called Border 18 Fire.

CAL FIRE announces statewide transition to new national emergency reporting system
Printer-friendly versionSource: CAL FIRE November 5, 2025 (Sacramento) – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the

Help shape the County’s Emergency Operations plan through an online survey
Printer-friendly version By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Oct. 30, 2025 (San Diego) — Residents, businesses and community organizations, your feedback is needed to help
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Report a gas leak:
Call 911 or 1-800-611-7343
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