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:

The Palisades Fire has burned 22,600 acres and is now 11% contained. The wildfire has ravaged Pacific Palisades, portions of Malibu, and homes along Pacific Coast Highway.  Current evacuation orders include much of Brentwood, Encino,Calabasas, Sansta Monica,Malibu and Pacific Palisades.  This fire has damaged or destroyed around 5,300 homes; another 12,000  structures are still threatened.

The Eaton Fire has scorched14,117 acres and is 15% contained. Around 7,000 structures have been damaged or lost, according to fire officials, in Pasadena and Altadena.

The Kenneth Fire is now 80% contained after burning 1,052 acres near the Los Angeles and Ventura county lines. All evacuation warnings have been lifted.

Evacuation orders have also been lifted for the Hurst Fire, which burned approximately 779 acres in the Sylmar area.  The Hurst Fire is now 76% contained.

At least two other fires have been fully contained, including a blaze that threatened portions of Hollywood.

Firefighters have come from across the region and as far away as Canada and Mexico. Canada has deployed 250 firefighters, while Mexico has sent at least 101 “bomberos” or firefighters to L.A.  Numerous inmate firefighters are also help to control the conflagrations.

After Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state emergency, President Joe Biden cancelled a planned trip to Italy to meet with the pope in order to get aid to California. President Biden announced that the federal government will cover “100 percent of all the costs” to fight fires in Los Angeles County, higher than the 75% customarily granted by the federal government to states during disasters.

It is unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump’s administration will continue to provide aid to California, since Trump has previously threatened to withhold disaster aid from states that didn’t vote for him.  Asked if he is confident that the Trump team members will continue to send disaster aid to California,  Biden responded, ”I pray to God they will,” Politico reports.

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.

During this week’s PSPS, SDG&E opened Community Resource Centers in the affected areas, providing customers with services such as Wi-Fi, food, and phone and medical device charging. With power now restored, all of the Community Resource Centers have been closed.

For information about this PSPS event and the potential for future events, please visit SDGEToday.com or follow SDG&E’s X channel, @SDGE. 

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.

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: http://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html and https://protect.genasys.com/fullscreenMap?z=12.130495228944708&latlon=32.6039234736639%2C-116.84992723452149….

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.

Officials urge the public to not fly drones near the fire, including in the areas of Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Dulzura. Flying drones prevents aircraft from flying and dropping water/retardant on the fire.

Rain that began overnight should last through Tuesday off and on, which should help firefighters’ efforts particularly with grasses and smaller vegetation.

Per Cal Fire, the number one priority is getting people back to their homes once it is safe to do so.

An evacuation center is at Cuyamaca College’s gym, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.

Sign up to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter.

Hear our interview with Sierra Club Conservation Chair Ron Askeland and Loveland advocate Russell Walsh, aired on KNSJ

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2024 (Alpine) – Supporters of Loveland Reservoir are urging the public to attend a community workshop hosted by Sweetwater Water Authority tonight on trail improvements at Loveland Reservoir.  The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd.in Alpine.

Sweetwater will offer an update on Loveland trails improvements at the meeting, the third in a series of public workshops.   The meeting comes after Sweetwater received a $750,000 state grant at the request of Senator Brian Jones for improvements at Loveland, and public input is sought on how to allocate those funds.

Nearly two years ago during the drought, Sweetwater drained Loveland to dead pool status for the first time ever, killing nearly all the fish. Heavy rains followed, causing major erosion, damage to trails, and destruction of a floating fishing dock.  Subsequent rains have restored the water level, some fish species have begun to repopulate, and insurance has agreed to fund replacement of the dock, but trails access remains limited. In addition, the fishing community has long advocated for restoration of dawn-to-dusk hours promised in a land swap between Sweetwater and the U.S. Forest Service.  In addition, the Sierra Club has gotten involved, advocating for habitat protection for sensitive species.

Friends of Loveland Reservoir, a nonprofit group formed to protect Loveland, urges the public to attend tonight’s workshop to discuss projects planned for the grant funds.  The Friends group has emailed Sweetwater Authority’s Board requesting that some of the funds be used to create “a pedestrian gate to access the graded SDG&E power pole access road” as a ”common sense,low-cost solution for a less-demanding hike around the lake,” according to the group’s Facebook page.

"We are pushing for a pedestrian gate to access the already graded roads that SDG&E uses to service the Sunrise Powerlink utility poles," Friends' spokesperson Karen Wood told ECM.  "That would allow access to the North section of the shoreline easement and would facilitate easier hiking for those with physical limitations.  Currently, the only way to access that end of the lake is follow the shoreline and climb over several rock outcroppings.  It is dangerous! We would also like an update on replacement of the HUD funded floating dock. Finally, we want an update on the projects that the SWA previously pitched:  the alternate and easier path to the West end of the lake; the bridge to cross to that portion of the lake; the lookout platform; and finally the master plan for future improvements."

Russell Walsh, an avid angler and long-time advocate for restoration of Loveland Reservoir,  says the proposed area for trails improvements is too narrow. He agrees with Friends’ goal to expand trails to maximize accessibility.  He’s met with county and federal officials, with more sessions planned, he told ECM last week.  He hopes to see a Veterans’ Park created that would be accessible to disabled people including veterans, and to see the fishing dock moved to be accessible from the park.

Though the lake itself is now once more filled with water and fish are repopulating, he believes a commitment never to drain the lake to dead pool status again is important. ”While Loveland is beautiful now and more people than ever are enjoying this beautiful resource, a threat of repeat destruction”  remains,” he warns in an editorial published by the East County Advocate. “IT is time for all of our leaders to secure what is ours, without doubts and threats of Loveland being drained excessively again, while launching that trend far into the future by restoring access hours and enhancing amenities at overland in balance with the beautiful riparian surroundings.”

Ron Askeland, chair of San Diego Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee, is concerned about protecting both recreational access as well as sensitive species in Sweetwater River and the California Sycuan Peak Ecological Preserve downstream.  He told ECM that he’s met with Sweetwater’s general manager on “how we can collaborate so that we have great recreational activities but also species preservation” including habitat protection, particularly for the Southwestern Pond Turtle and Arroyo Toad.

Askeland has visited Loveland and spoke with anglers, some of whom are fishing for food, not recreation.  He says all the anglers agree on the need for greater access including sunrise-to-sunset access to help those who work and can’t arrive before the current 5 p.m. closing time.

He also suggests the need for trail improvements. “It’s just a really beautiful area to hike around,” he said in an interview with ECM aired on KNSJ. “But the terrain is steep in places, so trying to get access in that steep terrain is challenging.” (photo, right, via Friends of Loveland on Facebook)

Hiking leader John Allen also urges the public to turn out at tonight’s Alpine meeting. “We need to pack this house,” he said, citing a need to hold Sweetwater Authority accountable. “The budget for the long-range plan has been reduced...This community has a right address the Environmental and Social Justice concerns that have already been compromised, to restore the promises and programs broken in violation of existing funding and recorded easements, and to be made whole.”

By Miriam Raftery

December 21, 2024 (San Diego) – Our guests on our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM this week were Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, along with Ollivia Aguirre, a striking worker, mother of two young children, and psychosocial clinician currently on strike at Kaiser Healthcare in El Cajon. She is also a representative of the National Union of Healthcare Workers. We also spoke with Chris Chavara, a single father of three teenagers and member of the Ironworkers Local 229.

Our guests spoke about the Labor Council’s recent holiday food and toy drive, including how it helped their own families. A downturn in the construction industry and the healthcare strike impacted their households directly, yet both Chavara and Aguirre volunteered at the holiday drive to help give back to others, as well as receive much-needed help.

Browning, also president of UNITE HERE Local 30, also spoke about successes won by unions recently, including unionizing all Sharp Healthcare Workers and landing a historic contract for hotel workers following a strike at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.

You can listen to our full interviews here and scroll down for more information. 

Learn more, volunteer or donate at   unionyes.org

If any worker in California is interested in unionizing in their workplace, they can start the process by filling out the form at unionizecalifornia.org

Here is the link to the NUHW Kaiser Mental Healthcare Workers’ strike and hardship fund:

nuhw.org/kaiserhardshipfund

East County News Service

January 25, 2025 (Rancho San Diego, CA) -- In light of the ongoing evacuations at the Border Fire, the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College is opening its grounds with free admission to evacuees and their pets. Free Wifi is available.

“We hope The Garden can provide a peaceful escape, a place to recharge, and a reminder of the resilience of nature and community,” says Lauren Magnuson, Director of Garden Operations. She adds, ”Stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming you.”

For more information, visit  https://thegarden.org/

Update January 25, 2025- The fire had modest growth overnight and is now 6,500 acres, per Cal Fire.

Update 8:15 p.m.-- Per CalTrans, State Route 94 is closed in both directions between Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul and State Route 188 (access road to Tecate) due to the fire.

Update 5:55 p.m.-- The fire is now 6,272.7 acres per Cal-Fire. The mandatory evacuation area has been extended to some areas east of State Route 94.

January 24, 2025 (Jamul/Dulzura) -- Evacuation orders and warnings for the #Border2Fire now extend to immediately south of Jamul Casino, including areas east and west of State Route 94, and significant portions of Chula Vista.  Photo left is as of 1 p.m.; click this link for latest evacuation areas and hit the plus sign to enlarge to view details: https://app.watchduty.org/camera/2231   Also see another map here:  https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/23/border-2-fire.

The fire, which started on Otay Mountain yesterday,  is now 5,389 acres and 10% contained per Cal Fire.  An Evacuation Center has now been set up at: Cuyamaca College 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92019. 

The Sheriff has suspended visits to county jail in Otay Mesa including George Bailey and Rock Mountain detention facilities as well as the East Mesa Reentry facilities.  Currently inmates are sheltering in place but there is an evacuation plan in place if it becomes necessary, the Sheriff advises.

Sign up to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter.

Update 12 p.m.:  Cal Fire has mapped the fire at 5,389 acres. It remains 10% contained. View laetst evacuation areas, whcih have expanded,  here:  https://app.watchduty.org/i/41110 

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The #Border2Fire has exploded overnight to 4,250 acres with 10% containment, Cal Fire reports this morning.  Per San Diego County Sheriff, #Border2Fire. An evacuation order has been issued for people who live in the red shaded areas as shown on the map at left as of early this morning. It means there is an immediate threat and you need to leave right now. An evacuation warning has also been issued for the areas in yellow.

Areas under evacuation notices include Dulzura, portions of Jamul, Lower Otay Reservoir, Otay Mt. Truck Trail, Campo Rd., the Elite Training Center and more. Otay Ranch Town Center and Olympian High School are under evacuation advisories.

Note: Evacuations orders and warnings may be updated frequently; for the most recent maps please see:

https://protect.genasys.com/fullscreenMap?  and

http://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.htmlSome schools in the area are closed. 

Road closures

Westbound & Eastbound SR-94 at Otay Lakes Rd is closed due to the fire - per Caltrans San Diego on X.

Alta Road is closed to traffic just south of Otay Mesa Road.Otay Lakes Rd is under a hard closure at Wueste Rd.

 

Sign up to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter.

Source: SDG&E

January 25, 2025 (SDG&E) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced this evening that power has been fully restored to all customers affected by recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Over 19,000 customers were impacted in dozens of local communities. These shutoffs were implemented as a wildfire prevention measure in response to unprecedented weather conditions that led to prolonged high-fire risk.

“SDG&E recognizes that being without power can be incredibly frustrating and tiring. We sincerely thank our customers for their patience and understanding over these last three weeks as we took proactive steps to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfires,” a press release from SDG&E states. ”We don't make the decision to implement shutoffs lightly. These measures are crucial for safeguarding lives, property, and entire communities during times of extreme fire risk."

Record-Breaking Conditions

The weeks-long weather event brought a rare combination of extreme Santa Ana winds, with gusts exceeding 100 mph in some places, critically low humidity levels and a historic lack of rain in the region.

By the Numbers Since January 7:

• Historic weather: San Diego County has experienced the driest start to the rainy season in the past 174 years.
• Advanced monitoring: SDG&E has 222 of the nation’s most sophisticated weather monitoring systems that are continuously tracking wind speeds and wildfire conditions. These systems, combined with millions of historical weather data points, help us make informed decisions about which communities are most at risk.
• Record-breaking winds: Wind speeds in the county reached record highs of over 100 miles per hour, with 62 wind-gust records broken at SDG&E’s weather stations.
• Community support: SDG&E opened 12 Community Resource Centers, offering services like Wi-Fi, food, and charging stations for phones and medical devices to support our impacted customers.