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]

Took this shot just moments ago. Notice the dark specs floating in the air. That is ash.

[lawdude]

"(SAN DIEGO IS ON FIRE!)"

Not to diminish the true seriousness but isn't this a mite theatrical?

[lawdude]

"(SAN DIEGO IS ON FIRE!)"

Not to diminish the true seriousness but isn't this a mite theatrical?

[South40]

Not to diminish the true seriousness but isn't this a mite theatrical?

I doubt you'd think so if you were here.

[gcruse]

NATIONAL FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE

LOL Conservatives, the party of national government when it suits them.

[lonestar]

Do you know how stupid you are?

[CARepubGal]

I was just in Target. The security guy and cart guy had masks to try and keep from breathing so much ash. The sun is blood red and creepy.

[CARepubGal]

I was worried about her. Will pray for sandyeggo. we are ok for now, the fire is still to the north of us. Am praying for the families impacted.

[CARepubGal]

No.

[kittymyrib]

Does anyone remember after 9/11 that the FBI uncovered plans by some of the terrorist groups to set wildfires in the West? Whenever I hear that these were caused by arson, I think about that....

[Palladin]

I just heard from my daughter. She is complaining also of the terrible air quality, and the ash all over everything. She is in Morno Valley.

I am praying for all of you out there.

Better to leave too early than too late.

God be with you all.

Any chance of rain this time of year?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I'm so sorry. I haven't been following this closely. I hope you are all okay.

[gcruse]

This area has had fires since long before 9/11.

And now that the trees are burned off, there is little to hold the dirt on the hillsides. Get ready for mudslides the next heavy rain, with homes foolishly built on the slope gliding gracefully away.

I've gotta go now. I'm finishing up my house on the flood plain before OBL comes. ;)

[LibertarianLiz]

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

Actually, IMHO, this wouldn't be happening if we were'nt so afraid of the enviromental lobbyists that we accepted their cure for everything in nature, which is to leave it alone and don't touch it.

How many years has the brush in this area been allowed to lay and accumulate, die and dry out? If CA had been able to go in and clear out the dead brush, and thin out the rest, on an annual basis, would this fire be this bad? I'm only asking.

[CARepubGal]

With God's help, anything is possible. We are actually in the midst of a Santa Ana. The winds and dryness are the big problem (and the tankers cannot refill or fly due to the smoke).

I got the dog's carrier from the garage and am planning for the worst while hoping for the best. The scary part is that all freeways out are clogged or closed. :-( Getting a bag of clothes and medicines ready is the next step. Outside it is like dusk with the ash. MCAS Miramar is now evacuating.

Your daughter is right in between two huge fires. I will pray for her safety and for the folks out here. Thanks for prayers,

[onyx]

yeah, right, "theatrical" --- sheeeeeeeesh.

Your post is an absolute total waste of font.

[Ditter]

This is tragic, I feel so bad for those who are caught in this. I was wondering about something last night, maybe you can tell me if it has been tried. Why can't you have a system of sprinklers on your roof like many have in their yards? When the sparks are flying & landing on your roof you could turn it on & put out the sparks before they ignite the roof. Sprinkler systems are not that expensive in your yard, maybe it would be more to put one on your roof but who cares if it saved your house.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Some folks have saved their homes that way, or by using garden hoses. But when a fire really gets going, the winds and temperatures are unbelieveable. A buddy of mine lost his ranch in the Pecos (NM) in 2000. When the fire came over the ridge, the fire fighters estimated it was close to 2000 degrees. When he later went up there, there were holes in the ground five feet in diameter that branched off downward. It was the hole left by huge ponderosa pines that burned to ash where they stood, including the roots.

[qwert]

Instead, they're using OUR money to protect the people of Iraq. Excuse me moron..... maybe you should take care of your own stinkin fires as well as your own state. For the last 10 years the leftest have run your state, and you can see the fine job that has been done, a NATIONAL FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE give me a break I refuse to pay for your 10 years of stupidity....go back under the rock you came from...

[lodwick]

Are the fires anywhere near Corona del Mar?

Thanks - I've family in the area.