Posted on 10/22/2007 8:06:14 AM PDT by Sleeping Freeper
SAN DIEGO -- With fire spreading quickly westward, San Diego County officials ordered the evacuation of a huge area east of Interstate 15 between Del Dios Highway and Highway 56 early Mon"This is the worst fire this county has ever seen -- worse than the Cedar Fire [of 2003]," Sheriff Bill Kolender said.
At a news conference shortly after 6 a.m., officials said fires had spread dramatically overnight, whipped by fierce Santa Ana winds. They said fire had jumped Interstate 15 at Lake Hodges and was burning in parts of Rancho Bernardo. Because of the explosive and unpredictable nature of the blazes, all residents living between Interstate 15 and Interstate 5 from Del Dios Highway in the north to Highway 56 in the south were told to begin evacuating.
"This fire is moving very quickly," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "Watch TV, listen to the radio and have your car prepared to leave."
Among the communities in the evacuation area are Rancho Sante Fe, Carmel Highlands, Rancho Bernardo, Del Mar Heights and Fairbanks Ranch and parts of Rancho Penasquitos.
Officials have opened Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley to handle the large number of evacuees.
Sanders asked everyone in San Diego County to minimize the use of cell phones to leave the airways free for the use of emergency personnel.day.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcsandiego.com ...
I have family in Poway as well. My little brother works for the Fire Department in San Marcos (not far from all of this).. I am going to try to contact him tonight.
I spoke with him for about 20 seconds before noon Central Daylight Time.
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He’s gunna have a long night from the way it looks in that area...
Lightning, arson, down power line, camp fire, etc. will always cause fires. You have got to prepare for it. Prescribed, controlled burns, logging, etc. can prevent or mediate, these catastrophes.
If CA doesn't change some laws (environmental laws), they will be in the same situation two years from now.
Boy, History is a harsh mistress...just like in the Middle East, and Russia, etc...
Sheesh.
5.56mm
take care of yourself Sandy...some of the statements from City Officials are very discouraging...
Mail Call!!!!
my ex is right off Del Sol, tucked into the 805/905 interchange. I hope he’s okay.
that’s a stone’s throw from my other house...I think I will go check on it ..
strange thing is that we have had barely a breath of a breeze both yesterday and today...but the fit is hitting the shan just a few miles up the highway...
My sister has a condo in Cardiff by the Sea and I don’t think it is looking good for it. Thankfully she isn’t there now, but her ex in-laws are in Lake Forest and she is calling to make sure they are OK.
I hope people are able to evacuate safely.
Not again! They got whacked four years ago.
What is scary, is the tall Eucalyptus and other trees the fire may reach as it heads west. Those trees are all over the hills around Rancho Santa Fe, and will go up like matchsicks...................
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Got that rite,,,sadly that whole area mite be burned by morning,,,
I worked for the City of Escondido in the 80’s so I know that area well,,,
Lake Forest is quite a way from san Diego. I haven’t heard of a problem in that area, but then I’ve not being paying attention to anything outside San Diego
My friend living in eastern Fallbrook (close to I-15) has just been told to evacuate with the rest of Fallbrook getting a warning that they too might be forced to evacuate
You’re an honorary San Diegan? I should have known from your accent... ;-)
Horrible situation in San Diego County!
My sister lives in Lakeside, but I hear she’s OK.
strange thing is that we have had barely a breath of a breeze both yesterday and today...but the fit is hitting the shan just a few miles up the highway...
~~~
Those winds defy reason,,,
(FOX),,,Winds may last another 24 hrs. ,,,
That’s where my family used to live... Scripps Ranch... they moved to Poway last year...
My father and wife are at QualComm Stadium (we hope), evacuated from Rancho Bernardo this morning. No ones heard from him in 8 hours.
Just talked to my MOM in law in Lake Forest they are fine,lake forest is fine,even though the fire is only a few miles away and winds are up between 40-60.
Well, that’s some good news.
PRAYERS INDEED for all.
Fire started this morning with no warning, and all of Arrowhead/Big Bear/Running Springs firefighters are nowhere in sight. They must be helping with the San Diego fires or trying to save Pauly Shore's and Rosie O'Donnel's houses in Malibu.
While I had him on the phone, he was watching TV at a tire store down the mountain and saw the news helicopter widen their video shot and realized that he was looking at his whole neighborhood under the smoke.
They barely got out of there this morning with fire on the ground about 150 yards from the house and the wind blowing directly at the front door. They packed up what they could and split.
Right before I called, my brother says that he got a call from someone that's still up on the mountain saying that as of 1pm PST, his home is still standing but is surrounded by fire on three sides. Twenty-two homes the next hill crest over from his are all gone.
If his home survives, and I hope that it does, it will be like a solitary home in the middle of the planet Mars once this fire has run it's course. This is the fire that probably should have happened back in 2003 with all the dead pines from the bark beetle infestation.
Anyone who would care to offer special prayers for my brother's family in particular in your next chat with the Lord, you have my thanks.
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