http://www.kfmb.com/topstory19312.html WILDFIRES IN SAN DIEGO: FORCED EVACUATIONS IN VALLEY CENTER, SCRIPPS RANCH, TIERRASANTA; FATALITIES REPORTED
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(10-26-2003) - URGENT: San Diego Fire Department asks all off-duty firefighters to report to firestation #28 with their gear.
Interstate 15 has been shut down in the Mirimar Road Area..
Firefighters are battling two fast-moving wildfires in San Diego County, one in Valley Center and one in the Ramona area, heading toward Scripps Ranch. Seven people have been killed, numerous structures have been burned and hundreds of homes and businesses have been evacuated.
The so-called "Cedar Fire" began overnight near Ramona and has since charred more than 10,000 acres and destroyed an undetermined number of structures.
"We have everything sent out that we can possibly send out," said San Diego Fire Department dispatcher Ron Cumbey. "And we are asking for all that we can get."
With Santa Ana winds fanning the flames, the fire swept through parts of Lakeside, jumped Highway 67 and in the past few hours, reached Scripps Ranch, according to Susan Please of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Firefighters also battled another fast-moving blaze near Valley Center.
The so called "Paradise Fire" is "moving so fast, we can't come up with an accurate acreage count," Please said.
According to Police, authorities have unconfirmed reports of multiple fatalities from both fires.
"We haven't been able to confirm any deaths," said Please. "As you can imagine, it's really crazy down here."
A wall of smoke greeted motorists heading south on Interstate 5 into San Diego.
Ash is falling all over the county, and smoke and haze is hanging over Mission Bay, Fiesta Island and Sea World. Similarly, the downtown area is also under a smoky haze.
Authorities reported two unconfirmed deaths in a vehicle at the scene of the Cedar Fire. They were told of the deaths by a retired fire captain, according to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson.
LOCAL 8 News has since reported that at least seven people have been confirmed dead in the Cedar and Valley Center fires.
At least seven homes have been destroyed in an upscale section of rural Ramona.
Stay tune to LOCAL 8 News for continuing coverage of the San Diego County wildfires.
Another good source is KGTV Channel 10 - they are currently giving the best coverage - along with KUSI - 9/51. I don't know if they have internet streaming, but they are both good sources.