East County Magazine
INTERVIEW WITH CAL FIRE CAPTAIN ON MONTE FIRE
Printer-friendly versionJune 22, 2025 (Lakeside) — Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson discusses firefighting efforts in the Monte Fire in Lakeside, during an interview yesterday with Shiloh Ireland. View video. At
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: LAKESIDE RESIDENTS THANK FIREFIGHTERS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service June 23, 2025 — Photographer Shiloh Ireland provided this video of Lakeside residents Sarah Ann WIlson and BIlly Ortiz unfurling a banner to thank firefighters
INVESTIGATION INTO CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE IN RAMONA THAT DAMAGED THREE PROPERTIES
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 19, 2025 (Ramona) – An abandoned home in the 1600 block of Casteel Lane, Ramona caught fire around 6 p.m. yesterday, quickly spreading
SOME EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN MONTE FIRE
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Update June 20: The #MonteFire has burned over 1,000 acres and is 65% contained. Image by Josh Stotler, East County Magazine: Helicopter scoops
MONTE FIRE SCORCHES 350 ACRES, 2 FIREFIGHTERS HOSPITALIZED
Printer-friendly versionUpdate: June 18, 2025 6:45 p.m. The fire has burned 858 acres and is 25% contained. Update: June 18, 2025 8 a.m.– The fire is now 400 acres and 20%
EVACUATIONS IN LAKESIDE FIRE
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Photo: Red areas are under mandatory evacuation orders as of 5 p.m. Yellow areas have evacuation warnings. View interactive map here for latest
FIRE ALONG BORDER IN CAMPO
Printer-friendly version Update 7:55 p.m.– Cal Fire reports the #Border6Fire in Campo is now 200 acres burning on the south side of the U.S./Mexico border. “We remain engaged on the northern
EVACUATIONS IN BONSALL
Printer-friendly version Update 5:26 p.m.– Evacuation warnings have been lifted. The fire is now 20 acres and 10% contained, Cal Fire reports. Evacuation orders remain in place. Update 4:29 p.m.–
CHIEF MECHAM OFFERS OUTLOOK ON FIRE SEASON AND UPGRADES IN LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version “We will be dropping water at night this summer.” – Chief Tony Mecham (photo, left) By Miriam Raftery June 3, 2025 (San Diego) – “The largest economic threat
SDG&E INVESTMENT SINCE 2007 HAS REDUCED WILDFIRE RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Brian D’Agostino, SDG&E Vice President of wildfire and climate science and the company’s first meteorologist. View slide presentation by Brian D’Agostino June 3, 2025
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Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
California’s Zone Zero defensible space law is now in effect for new home construction; existing homes must comply by February 2027
By Paul Levikow April 3, 2026 (San Diego County) – New structures being built in Very High Fire Severity Zones in California must now comply…
Brush fire burning in Santee near Town Center
Update 9:14 p.m. Forward spread has been stopped. Update 7:42 p.m. — The fire has crossed the river and is now burning directly behind commercial…
El Cajon approves funds for reconstruction of Fletcher Hills Fire Station 7
East County News Service March 28, 2026 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire’s station 7 in Fletcher Hills, built in 1960, will soon undergo major renovations….
Extreme heat watch issued for coming week
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An extreme heat watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for…
CERT makes emergency preparedness fun
By Yvette Urrea Moe , County of San Diego Communications Office March 11, 2026 (San Diego) – Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t…
CERT makes emergency preparedness fun
By Yvette Urrea Moe , County of San Diego Communications Office March 11, 2026 (San Diego) – Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t…
More storms on the way, free sandbags available
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this…
Hazardous weather system moves into region
East County News Service February 16, 2026 (San Diego)—A wind advisory is in effect today across San Diego County through 8 p.m., with another wind…
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Emergency Alerts (sign up!)
Alert San Diego: County alerts
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East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
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San Diego County Evacuation Planning
Emergency phone numbers
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Local police and sheriff contacts
County General Info: 858-694-3900
Report an emergency: Call 911
Traffic updates
CHP Traffic Incidents: Choose Border region top left
Utilities: Power Outages and Emergencies
Report a gas leak:
Call 911 or 1-800-611-7343
Weather
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Fire Safe Council: Post Disaster Recovery Red Cross:
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