A fitting end to a wild weather day...

Wow. If you missed this one, you missed the most spectacular rainbow we've ever seen. Double arcs end to end.


- Posted by Kim via iPhone

Location: Deerhorn Valley

Weather Repeat for Friday?

Looks like a repeat performance of our bizarre weather for tomorrow (Friday). Stay safe. Call 911 to report fires. - Posted by Kim via iPhone

Lightning, Thunder, Fire, Rain, & Hail..

The email and Twitter alerts are coming fast and furious.  While the County is still under a red-flag warning, the skies opened up and rain is falling throughout.  We had half-inch-diameter hail down at the Fire Station.  Lightning strikes started several fires, three of them in Jamul.  The rain did its part, though, and they are now out.

Rains are coming from the South, with more bands on the horizon as I write this (about 3:10 PM).  Thunder and lightning have struck on all sides, with some spectacular hits over Lyons Peak and

Mother Grundy.
Our firefighters responded to reports of 3-4 small fires started by lightning strikes.  It's currently raining cats and dogs (and birds and mice) with almost constant thunder and lightning. Stay inside and stay safe!

Looking north to Mt. Elena

Weather bands are coming from the south.  More on the way.

Roads are dangerous.  An overturned tanker spilled jet fuel onto 805-North at E Street.  The freeway was closed and expected to open later this afternoon.

-Posted by Kim

RED FLAG WARNING OVER ALL SD. COUNTY

National Weather Service Statement...

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM FOR DRY LIGHTNING...
.LIGHTNING STRIKES ARE AVERAGING ABOUT 2 PER MINUTE AND ONLY
TRACE AMOUNTS TO A FEW HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH ARE ACCOMPANYING THE
THUNDERSTORMS. DOWNDRAFT WINDS SO FAR HAVE BEEN MEASURED BETWEEN
25 AND 37 M,PH. POTENTIAL FOR GUSTS TO 45 MPH REMAINS. NO
SIGNIFICANT MOISTENING OF LOWER LEVELS EXPECTED THROUGH TONIGHT.
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
DRY LIGHTNING AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING.
* FREQUENT DRY LIGHTNING LIKELY TO ACCOMPANY THUNDERSTORMS
* THUNDERSTORMS: WIDESPREAD FROM THE COASTS TO THE DESERTS MOVING
TOWARDS THE NORTHWEST
* OUTFLOW WINDS: BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH
* TIMING: UNTIL LATE EVENING HOURS
* OUTLOOK: MORE WETTING RAINS LIKELY ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
* IMPACTS: LIGHTNING STARTED FIRES WILL LIKELY BE FANNED BY
DOWNDRAFTS AND HAVE RAPID SPREAD RATES INITIALLY
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Incident Over at Steele Canyon

From Channel 10 News: SAN DIEGO -- A suspicious package delivered to Steele Canyon High School that prompted a lockdown and the evacuation of one building Monday, contained only harmless party supplies, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department told 10News.
Dr. Craig Rocha, CEO, has posted a letter to the school community here: http://www.schscougars.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=153576&id=11

Steele Canyon High School still on lockdown at 1:30.

 The Channel 10 website (above link) has been updated with some additional information.  There are a lot of comments from parents, teachers, and students at the bottom of the article - 7 pages as of right now).  It is unfiltered, and there are a couple of the usual loonies, but most of the postings are from parents who are concerned and frustrated about getting information via the school district office.  The students are texting and calling parents from the classrooms.  They are still on lockdown, and are being escorted to bathrooms on some kind of rotating or building by building basis.  They haven't had lunch, but everyone seems to be fine.
Students reported that they were to expect a loud "boom" and to not be alarmed.  I could not determine if the boom has happened or not.  The speculation was that they could have been attempting to explode the package.
The roads to Steele Canyon are still closed.  If you are coming from town, best to go up Mexican Canyon/Jamul Drive then around the back way (Skyline Truck Trail).
Air traffic was told to stay away from the area, and police were requested to not use radios while on campus (radio signals can set off explosives).
The school's website is: http://www.schscougars.org
Parents are being told to go to Target for information.  Students say they have been told that they will be sent (bus?) to Target for reunification with parents once the incident is over.  Some parents have picked up their children.  Police escort was required.

-posted by Kim at 1:31 pm

STEELE CANYON UPDATE - Roads to School are closed -

From the Steele Canyon website: The report of a specious package at Steele Canyon High School has prompted evacuation of the schools administration building and guidance office and a lock down of the rest of the school. All staff and students are in secure locations for the duration of the investigation. Updates will be provided as events dictate and permit. Roads to the school are closed. Parents can get further information at the Target center in the Ranch San Diego shopping center and the District Web site.

Steele Canyon HS Lockdown - Evacuation

A suspicious package at Steele Canyon High School has prompted the evacuation of one building and the lockdown of the rest of the school, according to Sheriff dispatchers. The package was reported at about 10:20 Monday morning by the school, which is located at 12440 Campo Road in Spring Valley.

Aircraft above the scene were asked to leave the area, and responders were told not to use radios on the campus.
A police dispatcher reported that a Parent Reunification Area had been set up at the shopping center, and that emergency responders were staging at the YMCA.

EB 94 is reported closed at Jamacha, and WB at Steele Canyon.  This from the radio scan, but I have no first-hand information.
More details will be posted as they become available.

-Posted at 11:55 am by Kim

BORDER FIRE -- MONDAY MORNING

It's another morning.  We'll keep posting here if there are changes to the Border Fire.  Expecting temperatures above 100 degrees today.  Dan Connors reports that the satellite shows no active fire for the last 6 hours.  Everyone stay safe today.   We measured 101 yesterday -- and it's supposed to be hotter today.  Very little smoke showing on the camera feed from Lyons, and fire fighters will be there throughout monitoring.   So glad the winds are still light.

Yesterday's Border Fire Perimeter Map: http://calfire.blogspot.com/

TRACKING THE BORDER FIRE FROM SPACE

Here's another screenshot from Dan Connors.  He explains it best:

• "Fire has not spread. The dark red color indicates fire detection within the last 6 hours, while the bright red indicates fire detection from 6-12 hours ago and is likely out."
• 

FIRE CROSSED TO US NEAR TECATE - US Engines/strike team ready to cross border

The Border 11 fire is burning in the area of Bell Valley near the Tecate Port of Entry.   No U.S.structures threatened.  Fire is making a "southwest push" according to radio traffic.  SDGE Sunbird/Blackhawk helicopter passed over Deerhorn Valley enroute to Border Fire about 15 minutes ago.  Striketeams have been ordered to go into Mexico, and Palomar Hotshots are also responding.  Dan Connors from Mother Grundy has been monitoring the spread and sent this screenshot showing where the fire has passed over.  The straight line extends from the fire to Deerhorn Valley and is approximately 15 miles long.

There were earlier reports of fire victims, possibly firefighters from Mexico being transported to Port of Entry, and a Mexican fire engine burned over near the POE. 

Five US fire engines and a strike time are headed across border to provide structure protection. Burns mentioned earlier were NOT to firefighters, but to civilians who are being treated in Tecate. 

NEW FIRE NEAR POTERO - MEX. SIDE

This just posted: There is a fire near Potrero.   It appears it is still on the Mexican side, but right at the border.  Engines have been paged out and a recon is being done.
Radio Feed at: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=227

Mexico Fire Update at 3 PM

The fire in Mexico is burning south of the Castle rock area.  A330 reports fire to be approximately 500 acres and burning on both sides of (Mexico) Hwy 2. Fire is moving into Mexico and is not currently threatening US side of border.
Occasional live radio feed on: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=227
Latest audio (at 3:04) "East of Twin Towers jumped road...  still on Mexico side burning away from the border... east end of Bell Valley...Engine 3373 on scene."  Recommending holding off on deploying more equipment at this time.

THREE FIRES IN MEXICO... Potrero Monitoring - Rural Calfire on Alert

SUNDAY 9/26:  – Three fires in Mexico that began yesterday are generating smoke visible from East County. “We are monitoring them and we have a lookout out there.,” Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told East County Magazine this morning. The U.S. Forest Service is also keeping watch, he added.  Although the fires died down during the night, concern remains if winds kick up today.  Cal-Fire & the U.S. Forest Service are closely monitoring the situation. EastCountyMagazine.org
From Rural CERT Coordinator: The fire stations are getting lots of calls.  Most areas in our CERT region will be able to see the smoke from the fire.  It is near Tierra Del Sol (Boulevard area) on the Mexican side.  It is about 1 mile from the border.  An engine from Campo is watching it.   The (fire) stations in the back country have been put on alert status to respond and assist if it threatens the U.S.  Everyone be safe and be alert! ;-)

CALFIRE CLOSELY WATCHING THREE FIRES IN MEXICO

: CalFireSanDiego http://twitter.com/CALFIRESANDIEGO

Smoke may be visible in eastern portions of the county due to fires in Mexico. No threat to the U.S. at this time.
The photos show the smoke visible to the east on Friday mid-day.

East View: HPWren Camera 

Photo by P. Dozier

Hot, Dry Weather Coming - Stay Fire Prepared & Alert

Dry, hot temps this weekend and into next week mean higher fire danger. Stay alert, gas up the car, drag out the generator, and have your emergency kit ready. Humidity is predicted to drop to below 10%, with wind gusts to 30mph in passes. Check around your home's perimeter for combustibles alongside walls or under eaves and decks that can create "fire ladders." Being fire-ready is critical through the next 4-6 weeks. Have a back-up plan if SDG&E cuts off power. Keep your cellphone charged and ready.

Rancho San Diego Car Bombing -Precautionary Evacuations near Cuyamaca College

4:30 PM
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and fire crews are investigating an apparent car explosion in the Rancho San Diego area that left a woman injured.
The incident happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of Via Hacienda near Cuyamaca College.
According to authorities, a woman turned on the ignition in her car and the dash exploded. She was burned in the incident and was taken to the hospital.
The surrounding area has been evacuated as a precaution, authorities told 10News.
The sheriff's department's bomb-arson unit has been summoned to the scene to investigate the area and determine if the incident was intentional or a vehicle malfunction.

New Whooping Cough Cases include Jamul Intermediate Student

Booster shots are being urged after 21 new whooping cough cases were reported in San Diego County this week, according to county health officials. This weeks new cases includes a 10-year-old who attends the Jamul Intermediate School in the Jamul-Dulzura School District.

Hot Weather Coming - Stay Fire Prepared & Alert

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
131 PM PDT WED SEP 22 2010
...HOT WEATHER IS EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK...
HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING OVER THE WEST WILL BRING SEVERAL DAYS OF HOT WEATHER FRIDAY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. THIS HIGH PRESSURE WILL DIMINISH THE MARINE LAYER AND ITS COOLING INFLUENCE WHILE WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW WILL BRING MOSTLY CLEAR AND DRY AIR. NO STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED...BUT THE DRY AIR WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO RISE EFFICIENTLY EACH DAY. THE HOTTEST DAYS APPEAR TO BE SUNDAY AND MONDAY. EXPECTED HIGH TEMPERATURES SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

• COASTAL VALLEYS..............90 TO 100. 
• INLAND VALLEYS...............102 TO 108. 
• MOUNTAINS BELOW 6000 FEET....88 TO 98.

SANTA ANAS PREDICTED

I just received this info in an email from the Red Cross:
 
We have received word about our first Santa Ana this weekend:
 
Higher Fire Danger and possibly a weak Santa Ana Wind Event this coming Friday-Sunday. Highest Danger is considered Friday & Saturday. Fuels are expected to be very dry in our entire operational area from the Foothill Inland Valleys to the Colorado River Friday-Sunday and from the Pacific Ocean to the Coastal Valleys Saturday-Sunday.  The main concern for large fire activity however will be Friday and Saturday when hot and dry conditions will develop over the mountains, inland valleys, and even some of the coastal areas.
 
-posted by Sharon
 
 

RANCHO SAN DIEGO FIRE --- An Exercise in Twittering!

I'm continuing to "practice" with the blogging and twittering.  Today was a good example.  We were at the ARRL (Amateur Radio) Conference when I got the text alert from CalFire about the Rancho San Diego fire.  From my cell I was able to "re-tweet" it to appear on twitter.com/DeerhornValley.  It was quick and easy, and another reminder that the more options we have for communication, the better.

I'm overdue in sending out and Antler Update... and Monday is the quickest I'll be able to get to it.  So I know I'm pretty much blogging to myself.  But at least there are no complaints (-:

Are you a ham operator?  Do you have  equipment for receiving or transmitting messages?  We're putting together a list of amateur radio folks in our area (Deerhorn, Bratton, Lyons, etc.)   Just one more option for staying connected and informed.

FYI -- There was also a small fire today in Lyons Valley near the soccer field, according to CERT twitter. The majority of smoke that has been seen to the south-east is coming from a fire in Mexico.   CalFire says it poses no current threat to this side of the border.

-Posted by Kim

FIRE PHOTOS

The fire was caused by a car accident and the car caught on fire. The fire quickly spread east with a good breeze. It crested the ridge just before the Honey Springs Ranch Barn. The fire department along with great and rapid air support suppressed the fire quickly. The Border Patrol and Sheriff were also very involved. Hopefully no one was injured in the accident or fire. ... They are mopping up still but we are extremely thankful for our wonderful fire department. Also, thanks for reporting these important alerts.

-Marcia Spurgeon (Honey Springs Rd.)

Congratulations to DV'er Mark Payne whose photo of the helicopter response to the Honey Fire (above) was published with an accompanying article by East County Magazine: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/

Look carefully and you can see lines of firefighters to the left and right of burn area.

Air support included helicopters, tankers, and spotter plane.

HONEY SPRINGS FIRE CONTAINED AT 20 ACRES

Thank you Fire Fighters (Air Attack Units, Strike-Teams and Ground Crews) !  Honey Springs fire seems to be in mop-up stage.  Quick work of a potential disaster.  We owe these folks big time!
Ron Janson
Honey Springs

SMOKE PLUME: LARGE FIRE IN MEXICO

I see a lot o f smoke in the general area of the Cowboy Fire. Thought it was a flare up. I called the fire Info line and they told me it's a big fire in Mexico. Fire Hot Line: (619) 590-3160

-Coral

Forward progress of Honey Springs Fire stopped at 18 acres.

Stacy Magoffin of CERT reports that fire is almost contained, with only one spot of active fire.  Forward progress stopped at about 18 acres.

Doug Dubé reported from Bratton Valley that there are 3 air tankers responding along with ground crew.  Flames can be seen at the Old Honey Springs Ranch, on the north side of Honey Springs Rd.
Ham operators can monitor on Command 3: 151.340

DeerhornValley 

  

CHP reports fire started when rollover driver returned to attempt to pull out car, hillside caught on fire.

HONEY SPRINGS FIRE -- 2:19 PM

2:18 -- From Ron Janson on Honey Springs
Fire near 94 & Honey Springs?  Can see spotter fixed wing and one water dropping chopper.  Hear engine go down Honey Springs look out window and can smoke billowing up from "Big house" direction of lower Honey Springs.  Naturally,  Radio-monitoring if "Offline".

NEW FIRE; HONEY SPRINGS ROAD

New Fire: Honey Springs Road near Hwy 94, currently 20 acres resulting from a rollover vehicle accident.

APPROACHING TRIPLE DIGITS TODAY

Stay cool, hydrated, and alert.  Triple-digit temperatures predicted. A bit of cooling tomorrow.

COWBOY FIRE CAUSE DETERMINED

11:00 PM

Received from Stacy Magoffin (CERT):

The Cowboy Fire, which started Thursday, September 2nd at 1:13 pm, and burned 822 acres, was started by two illegal aliens who were in distress. They called C4, which is Mexico’s emergency dispatch system and advised them that they had been lost for two days, were stranded, dehydrated, and were going to light a signal fire to attempt to get some help. This information was relayed to the U.S. Border Patrol. CAL FIRE worked with Border Patrol in attempt to locate the individuals, but were unsuccessful, and the two individuals are still at large.

Investigators from CAL FIRE and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined that there was evidence near the area of origin, of illegal aliens traveling through that area, which supports this report.

WHERE WAS THE COUNTY EMERGENCY INFORMATION?

POLL ON COUNTY FIRE NOTIFICATION...

SD County Emergency Page... Missing in Action (again...)

From Miriam Rafferty, Editor, EastCountyMagazine.org:
In 2007 the County’s emergency website crashed a lot but at least posted basic info on evacuations, shelters, etc. during the fires.  But during the recent Monte and Cowboy Fires, as well as the April 7.2 earthquake and aftershocks, there was not a single word posted. I don’t know if they ran out of money, outsourced to someone, or what.  But please make your voices heard by voting in our poll and forward this poll widely:
Should the County post updates on wildfires, quakes and other disasters on its “emergency” website?
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/4133
Meanwhile you can sign up for FREE detailed wildfire and emergency alerts via email at www.EastCountyMagazine.org and follow ViejasAlerts at www.Twitter.com for shorter text messages. We also update our webpage multiple times a day during emergencies.  If we can do this on a shoestring nonprofit budget, why can’t our County? - Miriam 
_______________________________

**On a positive note... many thanks to San Diego CalFire (twitter.com/CALFIRESANDIEGO) for their timely updates.  It means a great deal to be able to get good information when you see smoke in the backcountry.   -posted by Kim

COWBOY FIRE UPDATE... THANK YOU CALFIRE & RFPD

Current view from atop Lyons Peak looking east.

12 NOON: LATEST UPDATE: The Cowboy Fire is now 42% contained, with full containment projected for Sunday. Smoke can still be seen in the area due to an island of burning fuel in the middle of the fire. There is no current threat to structures.
Currently there are 48 engines, 35 fire crews, 2 bulldozers, 4 helicopters, 2 helitankers, 4 airtankers, 8 water tenders, 69 overhead for a total of 1,360 firefighters committed to the incident. There have been two minor injuries to firefighters.

10 AM: CALFIRE SAN DIEGO: As expected the fire activity has increased slightly, but there are no homes currently threatened.

The Cowboy Fire* is now 719 acres and 15% contained, reported Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler. He added, "The incident command expects the containment will increase even more when the sun rises." Firefighters worked throughout the night in extremely steep terrain and heavy brush/fuel. The joint information center remains open for concerned citizens (619) 590-3160. No road closures are in effect and no homes have been damaged.
"Cal-Fire would like to thank the local community for their support throughout the incident," Schuler said. Thanks to CALFIRESANDIEGO and EASTCOUNTYMAGAZINE.ORG for this morning's update.

* The Cowboy Fire was named for a nearby area called Cowboy Camp.

-posted by Kim

719 ACRES - 10% CONTAINED

Cowboy Fire is now 719 acres and 10% contained.  Only light winds expected tonight and for the next few days.  This image is from USDA Forest Service.  It shows where the fire was AND is, so by following it you can trace direction and movement.  This was downloaded at about 9:15 PM, 9/2/2010:

Thanks to Dan Connors from the Mother Grundy area for finding this site... http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/conus/viewer.htm

Please feel free to comment or share information.  It should be open to all viewers.  You may need a Google Account (I'm still not sure of how all this works!)  -Kim

From East County Magazine

Photo by Dennis Richardson, East County Magazine

September 2, 2010 (Campo) – A strike team of firefighters is staging at Star Ranch for structure protection, aiming to halt the 200-acre Cowboy fire at the outskirts of the Ranch before it can reach the Campo Hills housing development. The fire is burning in a northeast direction.

“A large water bomber just flew overhead,” Christy Scott, editor of the Alpine Sun, informed East County Magazine. Lake Morena provides an accessible source of water for water-dropping aircraft, she added.

Satellite View of Cowboy Fire

Thanks to Dan Connors for this:

"There are two fires, the Cowboy fire and one in Mexico. From our vantage point they are almost behind each other. The length of the line is 13.75 miles. Updated at 4:45."   

Source is activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/conus/viewer.htm

The line Dan is referring to is the direct distance from Deerhorn Valley to the Cowboy Fire, not the fire line.

Cowboy Fire Burns 200 Acres Near Campo

BY KPBS NEWS

Originally published September 2, 2010 at 2:15 p.m., updated September 2, 2010 at 4:33 p.m.

[Update: 4:33 p.m.] - From City News Service: A brush fire spread to 200 acres today on the Pacific Crest Trail in the back country, threatening the outskirts of a ranch in Campo, according to CAL FIRE.

The blaze created highly visible black smoke as it spread to the edge of Star Ranch, a working horse and cattle ranch and historical attraction, said Roxanne Provaznik of CAL FIRE.

A team of engines was staged at the ranch to protect its structures, she said.

Ten fire engines, five fire crews, three helicopters, one helitanker, six airtankers and a bulldozer responded to battle the blaze, she said.

Provaznik said the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

[Update: 4:01 p.m.] - CAL FIRE says the "Cowboy Fire" has now burned 200 acres, and is spreading at a fast pace with no containment. There are no injuries reported and no homes are currently in danger.

A call center has been set up for concerned residents. The number is (619) 590-3160.

PHOTO FROM MOTHER GRUNDY LOOKING EAST

COWBOY FIRE... Now at 200 acres

Fire was reported at 1:13 pm.  It is now 200 acres at 4pm.  The area is located between Potrero and Campo and is inaccessible to ground units. Air support was called in almost immediately.  The SDG&E helitanker is making its first appearance.  Flames are visible from Campo, and smoke is visible throughout the East County.  Students from Campo Elementary have been evacuated to Mtn. Empire High School.
CalFire has established a call center at 619-590-3160  Updates at: CALFIRE SAN DIEGO (Twitter)
EastCountyMagazine.org is following the fire with frequent updates:
Channel 10 is on scene and has live video: Raw Video and updates from Channel 10

Lyons Peak Hi-Res Camera - East View

--Posted by Kim

OUR ANIMALS: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & EVACUATION

NO ANIMAL LEFT BEHIND...

  SUNDAY SEPT 12TH 

2:00 - 3:30 PM
DEERHORN VALLEY FIRE STATION

Critical Information presented by the San Diego Humane Society. Sponsored by  the Outer Jamul FireSafe Council.  Whether you have pets to evacuate with you or large animals to move to safety, be sure to attend this event. Wildfire, earthquakes and other disasters can trigger evacuation measures.  Every animal owner should know emergency procedures and have an emergency plan in place and ready to go.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW

This program is sponsored by your Outer Jamul FireSafe Council as a public service for Deerhorn, Bratton, Lyons Valleys and our other backcountry neighbors.