East County Magazine
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San
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…
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FIRE IN MARRON VALLEY NEAR TECATE
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts October 16,2023 (Tecate,CA) — Cal Fire/San DIego County Fire crews and a water-dropping helicopter are at the scene of a vegation fire in
HUNDREDS ATTEND SANTEE FIRE DEPARMENT OPEN HOUSE
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Shiloh Ireland October 15, 2023 (Santee) — Santee Fire Department held its Open House on Oct. 7, attracting hundreds of visitors. Children enjoyed interactive activities
GOFUNDME FOR EL CAJON WOMAN, 65, WHO LOST HOME IN FIRE
Printer-friendly version By Cecilie Shamanow El Cajon – Imagine going to sleep at night in your home, content, safe and secure, only to wake up to it going up in
SHERIFF SUGGESTS TIPS FOR AVOIDING A DUI
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 1, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Sheriff Kelly Martinez reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may
CHIEF’S CORNER: WE’RE ALL GOING TO FALL FOR SANTA ANA WINDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 23, 2023 (San Diego) — This is the first week offFall, and with it comes Santa Ana winds! Though fire season is year-round, fall typically
CAL-FIRE: KEEP DRONES OUT OF FIREFIGHTING AIRSPACE
Printer-friendly versionCAL FIRE Issues Urgent Warning Regarding Incursions of Unmanned Aircraft Systems East County News Service September 15, 2023 (Sacramento) — CAL FIRE, alongside their cooperators, wishes to issue an urgent
FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: STORM DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME — WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 8, 2023 (San Diego) – The storm has passed – now what? Though the heavy rains have subsided, more rain is
3.1 QUAKE STRIKES NORTH COUNTY INLAND
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sources: Twitter, USGS & Bing AI September 8, 2023 (Lake Henshaw) — A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck inland North County last night at approximately 10:59
CHIEF’S CORNER: FLASH FLOOD SAFETY
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna September 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) — We all face storms in life. They say those are the association dues for being alive.
THANKS FOR THE SANDBAGS, NOW WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM AFTER HILARY
Printer-friendly versionBy Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office September 3, 2023 (San Diego) — Thousands of San Diegans fortified their homes and property with sandbags before the arrival of
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Report an emergency: Call 911
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Report a gas leak:
Call 911 or 1-800-611-7343
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Fire Safe Council: Post Disaster Recovery Red Cross:
Protect Your Community