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SENATOR PADILLA, COLLEAGUES PUSH TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO EXEMPT SEASONAL FIREFIGHTERS FROM FEDERAL HIRING FREEZE
East County News Service
February 27, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined 14 other Democratic Senators in urging senior Trump Administration officials to reverse the hiring and onboarding freeze of federal seasonal firefighters that they say threatens the safety of communities in California and across the nation. The Trump Administration’s January 20 hiring freeze of federal civilian employees inexplicably did not exempt federal seasonal firefighters, despite exempting other critical public safety personnel.
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL’S FIRE DEPARTMENT COVERAGE WORKSHOP
By G. A. McNeeley
February 15, 2025 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon City Council, city staff, Heartland Fire Department and labor representatives came together on Wednesday to discuss possible short-term options, to staff a newly purchased fire engine, after a grant failed to fund.
Last year, the City Council explored options to augment fire and medical response coverage throughout the city. The Council directed staff to acquire an additional fire engine and seek a grant to fund the staff to operate that engine. Although the engine was acquired, the City was not successful in obtaining the grant. Their intent was to operate the engine (E-208) out of Station 8 as a full service vehicle, staffed with nine new employees. The grant would have paid for the majority of those employees.
FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: JAM FOR LA CONCERT BENEFITS FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS, FEB. 23 IN TEMECULA
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
February 12, 2025 (Temecula) -- Come join us on February 23 at the beautiful South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula Ca. This event is supported by the California State Firefighters' Association: CSFA.
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
East County News Service
February 12, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- An atmospheric river is moving into our region, bringing rain today with heavier rain late Thursday and Friday. A flood watch has been issued starting Thursday afternoon through Friday.
The Pacific storm could bring up to 7 inches on Mt. Palomar, up to 5 inchesin Julian, 2-3 inches in valleys, and up to an inch in some desert areas, with snow at higher elevations, up to two inches above 6,000 feet. Strong wind gusts in mountains up to 70 miles per hour and up to 50 mph in deserts are forecast.
California Highway Patrol is warning of winter storm conditions this morning on I-8 east of Willow Road in Alpine.
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HOW TO STAY SAFE IN RAINY CONDITIONS
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office
February 11, 2025 (San Diego) - With rainy weather in the forecast, including the chance of flooding in some low-lying areas, emergency officials offer seven safety tips.
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Wildfires
STATE FARM ASKS FOR MORE INSURANCE RATE INCREASES AFTER LA FIRES
By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters
Photo: The Eaton Fire burns in the community of Altadena. Firefighters were unable to get water from hydrants that ran dry, as homes and businesses burned, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters
February 4, 2025 (Los Angeles) - State Farm, the largest insurer for California homeowners, this week asked the state to approve “emergency” rate increases for insurance policy holders, saying the recent Los Angeles County fires have imperiled its finances.
13 DEAD, 12,000 STRUCTURES BURNED IN L.A. WILDFIRES; CREWS FROM SAN DIEGO, MEXICO AND CANADA AMONG THOSE BATTLING BLAZES
By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Lakeside Fire Department, which has sent firefighters to battle the Palisades wildfire
January 11, 2025 (Los Angeles) – After days of massive destruction and widespread evacuations, firefighters are finally making progress on four remaining wildfires in the Los Angeles area. At least 13 people have died in the fires, which have destroyed an estimated12,000 structures, the Los Angeles Times reports.
At least 90 firefighters from San Diego County have been dispatched to help fight the L.A. fires, including Lakeside Fire Department, which posted photos on social media of the Palisades Fire that their firefighters have been battling since Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands remain evacuated, as firefighters slowly make progress toward controlling fires fueled initially by hurricane-force winds.
Here are the latest updates from Cal Fire and L.A.-based news outlets:
POWER RESTORED TO ALL SDG&E CUSTOMERS, THOUGH MORE OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE
Source: SDG&E
January 12, 2025 (San Diego) –On Friday, San Diego Gas & Electric reported that it had restored power to all customers affected by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Despite the restorations, unprecedented and prolonged dry conditions continue. SDG&E encourages customers to remain prepared with the potential for future shutoffs in the coming days.
SDG&E began de-energizing customers earlier this week in response to elevated wildfire weather conditions and the driest start to the rainy season in San Diego County in the past 174 years. This proactive measure was taken to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety. Following patrols and inspections of power lines on foot and by air, SDG&E crews restored power for all customers who were impacted by PSPS as of Friday evening.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BORDER 2 FIRE
East County News Service
January 28, 2025 (Jamul) -- Robert Hobbs sent in these images of the Border 2 Fire, which burned over 6,500 acres after starting on Otay Mountain in San Diego County on Jan. 23. These photos were taken Jan. 23 and 24 from Jamul.
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CAL FIRE HOLDS BORDER 2 FIRE TO 6,625 ACRES AS RAIN AIDS EFFORTS, BUT MUDSLIDES ARE POSSIBLE RISK
By Miriam Raftery
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
Update January 30,2025 10 a.m.-- All evacuation orders have been lifted. The fire is 100% contained.
Update January 29, 2025 9 a.m.-- The Border 2 Fire is now 90% contained, as rain helped firefighters' efforts. Cal Fire says there is no risk to the public or structure threats.
Update January 27, 2025 12 p.m.-- The overnight shelter at Cuyamaca College has closed. All evacuation warnings remai lifted. Some evacuation orders remain in effect in areas west of highway 94. For map, see: https://x.com/SDSheriff/status/1883974136143438278/photo/1.
Update 7:45 p.m. -- The fire is now 40% contained, per Cal Fire.
Update 5 p.m.-- All evacuation warnings have been lifted. Some evacuation orders remain in areas west of 94. Use caution when reentering, as firefighters are still at work.
Update 1 p.m.-- State Route 94 is reopened; evacuation notices for Dulzura, Honey Springs, and areas east of 94 have been lifted; these areas will be repopulated. Otay Lakes Rd. remains closed. To see maps of the affected areas, visit: emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html and protect.genasys.com/fullscreenMap?.
January 26, 2025 8:30 a.m.— Firefighters held the #Border2Fire to 6,625 acres overnight and 10% contained. State Route 94 remains closed between Honey Springs Road and State Route 188.Tecate Rd. Evacuations remain in effect; view current evacuation areas: Genasys Evacuation Map. 1,117 personnel are fighting this fire.
Experts are looking at the soil in the fire’s perimeter to evaluate if there are any mudslide concerns and will work to mitigate those if they arise.
Cal Fire held a virtual community forum last night which can be viewed here. Cal Fire reports good progress on the fire, especially on the west side near Chula Vista Due to improved conditions, the Sheriff reports that jail visits will resume at the 3 Otay facilities.
On the east side and near Doghouse Junction, crews are constructing a containment line to prevent the fire from moving east towards Dulzura, Marron Valley, and Mexico.
.On the south side of the fire, there is some open line on the fire, but resources are working in arduous terrain to combat it. On the southwest side, ground crews and dozers continue to build line to prevent the fire’s spread.