Wildfire Forces Evacuation Of Scripps Ranch (SAN DIEGO IS ON FIRE!)

NBC San Diego ^ | October 26, 2003

[South40]

RAMONA, Calif. -- Fire officials said at 9 a.m. that the Cedar Fire, which had burned more than 10,000 acres, had jumped state Route 67 and was now threatening the area of Scripps Ranch.

Brush fires burning in San Diego Sunday filled the county's skies with smoke, killing 5 and destroying scores of homes.

Hundreds of San Diego residents have been evacuated from the paths of the fires.

East of Ramona, a blaze being called the Cedar Fire has destroyed has scorched at least 10,000 acres, and at least seven homes in the San Diego Country Estates area were destroyed. The CHP reported that two people who were trying to evacuate were trapped by the flames and killed.

Fire officials announced around 8 a.m. that a branch of the Cedar fire was burning in Santee Lakes near the Bonita Parkway. At 8:30, there were no details to report about that blaze.

Thousands of other homes and structures are threatened by the Cedar Fire.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered around midnight for the San Diego Country Estates community in Ramona, and many residents are taking the orders very seriously. That fire has burned through Barona and Moreno Valley and has crossed Highway 67 at Johnson Lake Road. Sunday morning, the fire was raging around Eucalyptus Hills -- a heavily populated area -- and was making its way toward Lakeside.

Fire officials were urging people in the area to evacuate to the Ramona Performing Arts Center at the Ramona High School at 1401 Hanson Lane. The school's phone number is (760) 788-5000. Earlier, residents had been sent to the Olive Pierce Middle School at 1542 Hanson Lane in Ramona, but, with nearly 700 residents there, authorities said the facility was full.

NBC7/39 reported around 9 a.m. that the Cedar Fire had jumped state Route 67 and was now approaching the area of Scripps Ranch. Residents of Scripps Ranch were being ordered to evacuate and were told to go to Mira Mesa High School at 10510 Reagan Road.

A second fire, which was being referred to by officials as the Paradise Fire, began near Valley Center in the Boucher Heights area of the Rincon Reservation. The fire in Valley Center has charred at least 1,000 acres, and 50 to 100 homes have been destroyed. Cole Grade Road has been closed. A fire chief on the scene told NBC7/39 that he personally had seen at least three people who had been killed by the fire.

The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Valley Center Middle School 28102 N. Lake Wolhford. Large animal evacuations can be taken to Aerie Park at Aerie Road and Betsworth.

Two command posts have been set up by officials; one is located at San Vicente Road and Gunn Stage Road in Ramona and the second at the Lakeside Rodeo grounds.

A third fire was burning on Marron Valley Road near state Route 94 in the Dulzara area close to the U.S.-Mexico border. More than 400 acres had reportedly burned in that fire.

Early on Sunday morning, embers could be seen falling from all directions as residents made their way to safety. Ash from the fires was seen drifting to the ground as far away as downtown San Diego.

"There was a fire all over the hillside by our house about 1:10 this morning," said evacuated resident Jeffrey Shults. "They knocked on the door and told us to evacuate immediately and not to grab anything, just family. Period."

The San Diego sheriff's department said that its communications center is operating in emergency mode and will only be answering emergency calls only for the next several hours.

Toward the north, the fire burning at Camp Pendleton had reportedly burned nearly 5,000 acres and is 55 percent contained, reported fire officials.

Check back here for updates on this breaking news story.

[South40]

With four fires burning across the county, this is big. It is currently 10:00 am but it's almost dark outside, an effect of the smoke in the air. Though dry ashes are fallin on my house, it is in no danger. But I have several friends who have had to evacuate in Ramona and the Mira Mesa area.

With several fires burning across the state most all resources are elsewhere, leaving San Diego vulnearable. There are reported fatalities and many lost structures. With the hot, dry Santa Ana winds fanning the flames, there is no end in sight. One local fire chief has said it is the worst fires he has seen in the last 42 years.

[cgk]

BUMP!!!!!!!!

[cgk]

Did anyone else catch the headline on Fox News last night that read "Southern California is Burning"???

[onyx]

One of husband's branch offices is in the fire's path. Here at home (Mission Hills) it is dark inside the house, we have to have the lights on to see.

The sky to the north is gray, brown and orange and to the south it's meshing with what little is left of blue sky.

Air is thick, even the wild, stray kitty I feed has taken refuge inside the house in my sun room.

Like you, we are in NO danger, but this is a sight to behold.

[South40]

Glad you are safe onxy. But isn't this weird? It's almost dark outside and it's raining ash. Very surreal.

[alisasny]

Check in friend!

[katya8]

This would not be happening if the United States, this wealthiest nation on earth, had a DEFENSE DEPARTMENT and a WHITE HOUSE that had cared enough about the American people to make sure there was a NATIONAL FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE equipped to protect us, which is what our government's number one obligation is supposed to be.

Instead, they're using OUR money to protect the people of Iraq.

[onyx]

Ex daughter-in-law works with Shamu and she said Seaworld had told her not to report for work this morning --- that they're closing down the Dine with Shamu and (presumably) the entire park today.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Serious stuff, ash and smoke up here by the beach in Far northwest Orange County as well!

Stay safe down south!

[onyx]

If you have a digital camera, please take photos.

Surreal is the perfect word.

You're closer to the fire ---- no visible ash is falling here, but the air is thick. I went outside for a minute and started coughing right away.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Really?

[Hildy]

It's so eerie out here in East County.

[onyx]

God, Ernie it's wonderful to see you. You are sorely missed. How are you doing? We were all saddened by your wife's death. I hope you were able to read all of our prayers and thoughts we posted to you.

[onyx]

Hildy, I've never seen anything like this before. I am stunned. Are you safe?

[Hildy]

For now, I guess. My husband and I are taking turns going to our business today so we can keep an eye on our home. All around us there are fires. I don't remember being so freaked out.

[McGavin999]

May God protect all of you. Why haven't they been able to make any progress on the fire?

[John H K]

This would not be happening if the United States, this wealthiest nation on earth, had a DEFENSE DEPARTMENT and a WHITE HOUSE that had cared enough about the American people to make sure there was a NATIONAL FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE equipped to protect us, which is what our government's number one obligation is supposed to be.

Has more to do with people wanting to live in a scrub-chaparral environment and unfortunate weather conditions than the absence of some sort of "National Fire-Fighting Force."

And (donning flame-resistant suit) why should people that don't live in such fire-prone environments pay for such a force, any more than people that don't live on barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic should pay for sea walls/jetties/beach replacement/replacing homes of those that do?

[berkeleybeej]

Why haven't they been able to make any progress on the fire?

Because most of their resources were sent up to help with the LA fires....oops.

[LenS]

It's sad. This never would have happened under the Clintons. Why when Billary was President, not a single home burned down anywhere in the US. </sarcasm>

[Senormechanico]

"And (donning flame-resistant suit) why should people that don't live in such fire-prone environments pay for such a force, any more than people that don't live on barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic should pay for sea walls/jetties/beach replacement/replacing homes of those that do?"
-------
No flaming here; you're spot on.
We live on an island, and it's amazing how many people here complain that the state run ferry system subsidies are being cut. They complain that they pay more of the percentage of the REAL COST of a ride than other ferry runs. The nerve!
It should cost what it costs to run the ferry.

If you need a special fire fighting force, we shouldn't have to pay for it.

That being said, we're all praying for So. Cal. in more ways than one.