East County Magazine

Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos and video by Josh Stotler View video Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside’s Fire Marshal September 9,

CAL FIRE adds water truck to Shelter Valley station
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 9, 2025 (Shelter Valley) – The community of Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, is safer today thanks to a new 3,000-gallon water truck

STRUCTURE THREAT FROM COCHES FIRE IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version Update: At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned. Planes and helicopters are on scene. An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters

Evacuations in Spring Valley due to fast-moving fire
Printer-friendly version Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports. East County Wildfire &

Local agencies tout cooperative firefighting efforts, urge public to help by preparing for wildfires
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: Fire officials with an SDG&E Blackhawk helicopter September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – Firefighting helicopters from multiple agencies were on display during a press

CAL FIRE joins partners in signing charter to reduce wildfire ignitions in Southern Calif.
Printer-friendly versionSource: CAL FIRE Sept. 3, 2025 (Riverside) — Earlier today, CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief Mike van Loben Sels signed the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP) charter

Firefighters rescue workers trapped on roof of burning T.J. Maxx building under construction in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Josh Stotler August 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — Just before 3:30 p.m. , a structure fire broke out in the under-construction building slated

Does the San Diego region have adequate aerial firefighting capability for the coming fire season?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery August 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As we approach peak fire season, Cal Fire/County Fire has a press conference set for Tuesday to discuss

Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Printer-friendly versionPhoto and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine,

Santee gets a new brush fire engine
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Members of Santee Fire Dept, SD Regional Fire Foundation and the SD River Conservancy with new brush rig funded through the city along with grants from
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FIRE ON OTAY MOUNTAIN CHARS 400 ACRES
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Photo and map via CalFire June 3, 2024 (Otay) – The #Border53Fire is burning on both sides of the international border. The

FIRE ON OTAY MOUNTAIN CHARS 400 ACRES
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Photo and map via CalFire June 3, 2024 (Otay) – The #Border53Fire is burning on both sides of the international border. The

CAL FIRE SUSPENDS BURN PERMITS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – After another wet winter, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The

CAL FIRE SUSPENDS BURN PERMITS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – After another wet winter, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The

BRUSH FIRE IN AGUA CALIENTE
Printer-friendly version Update May 31,2024 9 a.m.– The #GreatFire has burned 187 acres and is 50% contained.No structures have been lost and none are threatened. One civilian injury is reported,

BRUSH FIRE IN AGUA CALIENTE
Printer-friendly version Update May 31,2024 9 a.m.– The #GreatFire has burned 187 acres and is 50% contained.No structures have been lost and none are threatened. One civilian injury is reported,

HAVE BREAKFAST WITH LAKESIDE FIREFIGHTERS JUNE 8 TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 29, 2024 (Lakeside) — The Lakeside Firefighters Charitable Organization invites you to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 12

HAVE BREAKFAST WITH LAKESIDE FIREFIGHTERS JUNE 8 TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 29, 2024 (Lakeside) — The Lakeside Firefighters Charitable Organization invites you to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 12

FLOOD VICTIMS REMINDER ABOUT MAY 31 DEADLINE TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF $1 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING EXPENSES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) – Two of San Diego’s largest realtor trade associations, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), with an office

FLOOD VICTIMS REMINDER ABOUT MAY 31 DEADLINE TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF $1 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING EXPENSES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) – Two of San Diego’s largest realtor trade associations, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), with an office
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