Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Continuously updated fire news. Check back for the latest developments.
KPBS Google Map of the Fire arealink
Sign on San Diego Google Map of the Fire arealink
Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/28)link
Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/27)link
Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/26)link
Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/26)link
These photo slideshows are updated as images come in. Be sure to check back.
UPDATE (Thurs. Nov. 1, 11:20 a.m.)
The Friendly Village is bustling with activity - businesses are getting back to normal, homeowners are cleaning up after the fire and students are back in school!
The Fallbrook High Ag Department would like to invite everyone coming to the (last) home football game tomorrow (Fri Nov 2) evening, to partake of the Tri-Tip barbeque beforehand! All proceeds from tomorrow night's dinner will be donated to Legacy Foundation to benefit the fire victims.
During the football activities, Pop Warner Little Scholars will be recognized.
If you have losses due to the fire or think you may sustain losses as a result of the fire, register NOW at the Local Assistance Center at the Fallbrook Community Center so that you will be eligible to file a claim if necessary.
UPDATE (Wed. October 31, 2007, 9 a.m.)
Fallbrook Hospital re-opened this morning! All services are available. The hospital's Skilled Nursing Facility hopes to re-open on Friday, Nov. 2. if all approvals necessary are secured by then.
UPDATE (Monday, Oct. 29, 1:31 pm)
SDG&E will be providing a generator to Valley Oaks Mobile Home Park.
UPDATE (Monday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m.)
Effective immediately all residents in the Rainbow Municipal Water District may resume water use as normal, there is no further need to boil your water.
UPDATE (Monday, Oct. 29, Noon)
Rainbow Municipal Water District has lifted their 'boil water' order for customers.
Fallbrook residents continue to clean up around their homes and businesses. Please reference information on this website about caution needed in this process.
The Fallbrook Community Center is still the information center for people needing assistance in recovering from the devastation of the fire.
Fallbrook's annual Safe Halloween will be held this Wed. Oct 31 at La Paloma Elementary School (not the Community Center).
Watch for the Village News issue this Thursday, Nov 1 for many articles and photos relating to the fire as well as upcoming Local Events.
UPDATE (Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:11 a.m.)
Everyone is allowed back into town as of yesterday (read yesterday's update). There is a muliti-agency community meeting today at 4 p.m. today at the Fallbrook High School football stadium. Officials are going to talk about the Rice Fire as well as actions taken in response and aid that is available to victims. Everyone is invited. It will not be a forum for questions, however, because of the number of people expected.
The Fallbrook Community Center is open everyday with all agencies set up inside to help people with just about whatever they need
(previous story) State disaster assistance office
Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heald Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The local assistance center will provide disaster relief services including information on how to replace records lost in the fires, file insurance claims and apply for assistance and housing.
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Employment Development Department, Contractors State License Board, Department of Insurance, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and other state and local agencies will be represented at the local assistance center
CAST is doing a GREASE Fire Relief Fundraiser Show at 7:30 p.m. today (Sunday). 100% of ticket and raffle sales will go to fire victims.
UPDATE (Saturday, Oct. 27, 9:01 p.m.)
Marines help Fallbrook Fire Victims
Sarah Bates, Special to the Village News
Twenty-three thousand vehicles traveled through Marine
Corps Base Camp Pendleton on their way to evacuation
centers, says Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce
spokesperson, Eileen Delaney. Further, the Base hosted
800 residents who responded to evacuation orders,
treating them to “delicious food” and providing
toiletries, Internet access and television sets in
order for evacuees to monitor the fire’s progress.
Moreover, Marine Corps representatives donated and set
up cots at St. Peter’s Catholic Church for individuals
evacuated to that area. “They have been incredible
partners with us,” Delaney says.
UPDATE (Saturday, Oct. 27, 1:47 p.m.)
As of 1:30 PM, residents are being allowed back into their homes in all areas of Fallbrook. However, it is important that if you see down power lines, to shut down the power to your home and call SDG&E immediately.
Sheriffs are also patrolling the areas where residents are being allowed back in should you have any problems or to report anything suspicious or dangerous.
UPDATE (Saturday, Oct. 27, 11:40 a.m.)
It's raining!
UPDATE (Saturday, Oct. 27, 8:45 a.m.)
Fire agency officials have reported that the Fallbrook (Rice) Fire is now 80% contained with full containment still expected tomorrow. To date, 9000 acres have been involved in fire and homes lost remains at 206. There have now been 4 injuries sustained in the fire—none of which are life-threatening. Fire personnel is now being reduced and currently 960 firefighters are still on the scene. Public Information Officer Matt Correlli says there is no significant fire activity still occurring. Firefighters are continuing to monitor existing hotspots.
Residents have been allowed to return to the fire area east of interstate 15 and to areas west of Gird Rd.
As of this morning a massive evaluation effort is underway between fire officials, law enforcement personnel, and all major utility companies to carefully evaluate the area of homes that has remained closed and more information should be available later today when some of those areas are opened back up to residents.
Fire officials are trying to get residents back into their homes as soon as it is safe.
Reminder: There is still a multi-agency community meeting set for tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 pm at Fallbrook High football stadium. Officials will discuss the fire, actions taken, and resources that are being made available in the aftermath of the fire.
UPDATE (Friday 2:50 p.m.)
Residents are continuing to stream in to homes located West of Gird Road in Fallbrook. Some other areas are still restricted.
Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, Fallbrook Union High School District and Bonsall Union School District have announced that students will not report for school until Wednesday, October 31. Clean-up at local schools will continue through Monday, October 29; staff is to report on Tuesday, October 30.
A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up at Fallbrook High School (gymnasium) for those residents that still do not have access to their homes. Some other area shelters are being closed later today.
If you reside in the Rainbow Municipal Water District, a "boil water" order has been announced until further notice. Please boil tap water before using for consumption purposes or use only bottled water until further notice.
Fallbrook Public Utility District has a portable chlorination unit on site to provide potable water. No 'boil water' order has been necessary for FPUD customers.
If you are in need of clothing due to the emergency situation, volunteers at Fallbrook Presbyterian Church, 463 S. Stagecoach Lane say they have free clothing of all sizes to help as part of their "God's Closet" project. You can visit them Saturday (Oct. 27) or Sunday (Oct. 28) from 9 a.m. on. If you have unneeded clothing you would like to donate to fellow residents in need, feel free to drop them off today (Friday, Oct. 26) after 2 p.m. or on Saturday or Sunday.
The Village News is continuing to try and get an update from Fallbrook Hospital on the expected timeline for the reopening of the local medical facility. Watch this site for continuing updates.
UPDATE (12 noon)
Fallbrook residents that live west of Gird Road are currently being allowed to return to their residences as the Fallbrook (Rice) Fire has been reported to be 40% contained. Some neighborhoods, including those east of Gird Road are still under mandatory evacuation and residents are not yet being allowed in due to damaged power poles and safety issues. One fire official said he was told that San Diego Gas & Electric has now completed 90% of the repair and restorative work needed in the community.
The downtown area of Fallbrook is beginning to come back to life with pharmacies, stores, and other businesses re-opening to serve the community.
Those in need of assistance are being directed to the Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane, where numerous representatives from various entities are prepared to help citizens with valuable information.
The community-wide information meeting is still confirmed for Sunday, October 28, at 4 p.m. at the Fallbrook High School football stadium. Fire officials, local dignitaries and County representatives will be on hand with information about the fire and available resources for the public.
The Fallbrook fire statistics remain at 9,000 acres burned and 206 homes destroyed. To access a list of addresses affected by fire, as well as current road closures, go to http://www.sdcountyemergency.com.
UPDATE (9:00 am)
The Harris Fire has burned 9,000 acres in Rice Canyon in Northern San Diego County and is 40 percent contained. 206 homes, 2 commercial properties and 40 outbuildings have been destroyed. 200 homes are threatened currently. Portions of Fallbrook have been reopened to residents. Three injuries have been reported. 1,100 firefighters are assigned to this fire under unified command. The estimated cost of this fire is $2.3 million. Full containment is expected on October 28. Rice Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.
UPDATE (8:30 am)
No active flames in Fallbrook, DeLuz or Rainbow. Fire is 40% contained with only ground embers (hotspots). Unconfirmed reports are that some residents may be allowed through the Gird/76 entry if their home is west of Gird Rd. South Mission/76 and Olive Hill Rd./76 points of entry are still open.
UPDATE (9:30 pm)
Residents who live west of Gird Rd. are now allowed to return home through both south Mission/76 and the Olive Hill/76 entry points.
Additional areas are expected to be cleared tomorrow. East Mission Road is still not accessible. Areas of Camp Pendleton are also open for re-entry.
UPDATE (2:25 pm)
A multi-agency community meeting is set for Sunday, Oct. 28th at 4 pm. It will be held at the Fallbrook Highschool football stadium.
More on this later today.
UPDATE (1:00 pm)
Residents are camped out in the Daniel's Market parking lot, as well as every checkpoint into Fallbrook. Some residents are having success entering through the Olive Hill/76 intersection if they can show proof of residence from that point to Burma Rd. Residents who get through that checkpoint face an additional one at Burma and are not being allowed through to their homes. The CHP and the National Guard are assisting in the effort to keep people from returning to their homes before they have been deemed safe by the utility companies.
Another segment of the community is scheduled to be released for occupancy tomorrow (Friday) and more on Saturday.
Check this website throughout the day for updates on additional areas where residents are allowed re-entry.
UPDATE (9:00)
Residents of the Olive Hill area may be able to re-enter Fallbrook with proper identification. Watch this website for further re-entry information.
President Bush and Gov. Schwart are both scheduled to tour Fallbrook by air this morning to review the damage.
UPDATE (Thursday Oct. 25 8:12 am)
Fire officials say that 9000 acres have now been involved in the Fallbrook fire. Containment is currently at 30%. Full containmejt is still expected by Sunday, Oct. 28. The number of fire personnel in Fallbrook now exceeds 1100. No additional homes have been lost from earlier reports (206 homes). No additional injuries have been sustained in the fire.
Firefighters say today that focus will be on overseeing the large number of hot spots found in the area. Wind changes are expected and fire officials say their goal is to keep the hot spots from erupting into live fire action.
Watch this website for updates relating to re-entry of targeted neighborhoods today.
UPDATE (8:50 am)
With the mandatory evacuation order still in effect for all of Fallbrook, Fallbrook Hospital and Fallbrook Skilled Nursing Facility will remain closed until further notice. Hospital officials will be planning a coordinated, safe and secure reopening of the facilities as soon as it is possible. Employees will be notified when to return to work. Check back to this website or the hospital's website at http://www.fallbrookhospital.com for updated information.
UPDATE (7:49 am)
FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR CALIFORNIA DISASTER RECOVERY
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster declaration issued for California.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
• Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
• Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
• Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
• Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
• Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
• Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
• Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and agriculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
• Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
• Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
• Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours a day Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, and phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
• Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
UPDATE (7:00 pm)
North County Fire has reported a significant improvement in the fire conditions. Currently no flames are traveling upward into the air; All live fire activity is confined to heat on the ground. The velocity has dropped significantly and firefighters are beginning to feel coastal conditions coming in. Firefighters are still battling the heat in the Santa Margarita River Valley, from the Willowglen area to De Luz. At 7:00 pm North county fire announced that the base of operations for the Falbrook fire has now been moved onto camp Pendleton. The move was necessary in order to provide adequate facility space for the hundreds of firefighters that are battling the blaze. Full containment of the fire is expected Sunday, October 28th. Fire authorities say it will be at least 2 days before Fallbrook residents will be allowed to return to their homes.
UPDATE (5:28 pm)
Fallbrook Hospital will remain closed until the mandatory evacuation is lifted. Watch this site for more information.
The Healthy Woman Event scheduled for tomorrow night at the Village News office has been postponed. Watch the Village News for the new date.
UPDATE (3:55 pm)
The fire on the southeastern side of Camp Pendleton seems to be under control.
UPDATE (3:30 pm)
There is an additional fire that has broken out on the Northeast side of town in Camp Pendleton. There is a fixed wing plane as well as 5 helicopters that are fighting the fire as well as the fire on the southeastern side of town.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Camp Pendleton fire officials have announced they are fighting a new fire in southeastern Camp Pendleton near the San Luis Rey Gate.
Residents of Serra Mesa Housing have been instructed to relocate to the 22 Area Parade Deck as a precautionary measure due to their proximity to the fire.
Military police are on the scene assisting in relocating military members and their families to a safe location on base. Air assets are being utilized to assist in fighting the fire.
For more information, military members and their families are encouraged to visit the base Web site at http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil or call the main information line at (866) 430-2764.
UPDATE (3:00 pm)
As of now there are 5 air tankers attacking the fire on Camp Pendleton now which appears to be 20 to 50 acres.
UPDATE (2:47 pm)
A new fire at the north of douglas gate, south of lake area of Camp Pendleton approx 10 acre fire, less than half a mile from downtown.
2 air units doing water drops more updates as they become available.
UPDATE (2:23 pm)
Fires still out of control
Joe Naiman
Village News Correspondent
As of 12:34 p.m. October 24 many of San Diego County's wildfires, including the Rice and Poomacha fires, were still burning out of control. The Rice Fire, which began in Rice Canyon at 4:10 a.m. October 22, had consumed 7,500 acres and was ten percent contained according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire had destroyed 206 homes, two commercial buildings, and 40 outbuildings. Approximately 2,500 homes were threatened and 35,000 residents had been evacuated. CalFire and local fire departments had 723 firefighters assigned to the blaze as of the 12:34 p.m. CalFire report. The Poomacha fire which started at the La Jolla Indian Reservation at 3:13 a.m. October 23 had consumed 25,000 acres, including 50 homes, and was zero percent contained. Approximately 2,000 homes were threatened as of the 12:34 p.m. report. Ten firefighters had been injured fighting the blaze, and 659 firefighting personnel have been assigned to the fire. The Rosa Fire burning east of Temecula was 70 percent contained as of mid-day October 24 after having burned 421 acres. The fire was threatening 175 residences and 223 firefighting personnel were working on containment. The Roca Fire east of Temecula was 100 percent contained. The fire which began on October 21 consumed 270 acres and damaged one home. The fire was addressed by 108 firefighters. The Witch Fire which began east of Ramona and was first reported at 12:59 p.m. October 21 had burned 196,420 acres and was one percent contained. The blaze has destroyed 805 homes, 100 commercial properties, and 500 outbuildings while damaging an additional 375 homes, 75 commercial properties, and 50 outbuildings. Twelve firefighters have been injured fighting the Witch Fire, and 1,841 firefighting personnel were combatting the blaze as of the October 24 report. The Harris fire which started near Potrero at 9:23 a.m. October 21 was ten percent contained and had burned 73,000 acres. The fire has caused one civilian death to a Tecate resident and an additional five civilians have been injured, as have 25 firefighters. The fire has destroyed 200 homes and damaged an additional 250 residences. As of the time of the report 1,211 firefighters were combatting the Harris Fire.
UPDATE (1:21 pm)
According to sources near the Rice Fire De Luz residents may be evacuating from De Luz Road to Sandia Creek. A witness said the Santa Margarita riverbed was in flames and several sheriff's vehicles are heading in that direction.
A large part of Bonsall has been evacuated but not because of any imminent fire danger. Officials have decided that because of limited evacuation routes and the location of the town to all three fires in the area residents should leave. A witness on the scene was told by a sheriff's deputy it was only a precaution against residents getting trapped.
More information to follow.
UPDATE (12:17 pm)
State to open disaster assistance office
Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heald Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The local assistance center will provide disaster relief services including information on how to replace records lost in the fires, file insurance claims and apply for assistance and housing.
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Employment Development Department, Contractors State License Board, Department of Insurance, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and other state and local agencies will be represented at the local assistance center
UPDATE (12:00 pm)
Federal Emergency Management Agency said that those who sustained fire losses can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST Monday through Sunday.
UPDATE (9:19 am)
As of 8 am NCF states that the Rice Fire is 15% contained. The burned acerage estimate remains unchanged as does the estimated structure losses. The only active fire to our knowledge in Fallbrook is the Santa Margarita river valley area (Red Mountain Fire). A plan is being developed with SDG&E to allow residents back into their neighborhoods as they are determined to be safe. They are not saying when this may occur, as SDG&E must inspect every street and connection before allowing residents to return home.
UPDATE (6:52 am)
San Diego County has just released this fire map.
Camp Pendleton Fire has spread to 6000 acres and is moving north and west. It is being called the Horno Fire.
I-5 is now closed between Oceanside and San Clemente in both directions.
UPDATE 10:24-07 (5:26 a.m.)
BIRCH HILL EVACUATIONS: Mandatory evacuation Reverse 9-1-1 calls have been sent to 167 residents in Birch Hill near Palomar Mountain . Residents should go to the Temecula Community Recreation Center at 30875 Rancho Vista Road in Temecula
UPDATE 10-24-07 (3:51 a.m.)
DE LUZ EVACUATIONS: The Sheriff’s Department has activated reverse 9-1-1 calls to alert the residents of De Luz of a mandatory evacuation. De Luz is north of Camp Pendleton . Residents are advised to evacuate on De Luz / Murrieta Road north or Sandia Creek Drive north toward Riverside County .
UPDATE 10-24-07 (12:28 am)
FALLBROOK EVACUATIONS : Reverse 9-1-1 was used to issue mandatory evacuations in the communities of Bonsall, San Luis Rey Heights and Winterwarm on the north side of Highway 76. Residents should use Highway 76 heading west away from the fires. SHELTER UPDATE IN OCEANSIDE: The Oceanside Police Department reports that the shelter at El Camino High School is full and evacuees should to go to MiraCosta College at 1 Barnard Drive off of College Avenue, north of Highway 78 in Oceanside .
UPDATE (12:10 am) WEDNESDAY
For further updates or questions, you can call the following numbers:
Riverside: 951-940-6985
San Diego: 619-590-3160
San Bernardino: 909-881-6950
Los Angeles: 323-881-2411
UPDATE (11:50 pm)
Mandatory evacuations have been reissued for Fallbrook, sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said.
He said flames that had swept west toward Camp Pendleton have now backtracked to the east, with a shift in winds. Residents may spend the night at an evacuation center at El Camino High School in Oceanside, at 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive.
UPDATE (11:06 pm)
Casinos are shut down and staff only is allowed on the roadway.
UPDATE (10:15 pm)
Fallbrook High School announces closure through Friday, October 26. No damage to local schools reported.
UPDATE (9:10 pm)
The Fallbrook Fire has now consumed 7500 acres and is reported to be 10% contained. To date 206 dwellilngs have been lost due to fire, including 120 mobile homes. In addition, 40 outbuildings, two commercial buildings and 91 vehicles have been lost. The fire has damaged and/or destroyed 21,000 avocado trees.
North County Fire (NCF) began battling the blaze on Monday with 52 personnel, which was increased today with support from areas including Northern California to 723 firefighters. Currently live fire is being fought in the Rainbow Glen area and in DeLuz. Firefighters were very optimistic this evening and say the reduction in wind has proven immensely helpful.
Residents are still not being allowed back into the area, primarily due to damaged power poles and falling trees. NCF is working in conjunction with San Diego Gas and Electric to determine a time for safe return. No time estimates were provided. This evening fire officials said that full containment of the fire is expected by Sunday, October 28.
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth was scheduled to pay a visit to firefighters at 9 pm this evening in Fallbrook in order to get a personal update on the situation.
UPDATE (5:51 pm)
According to north county fire approx 250 structures have been lost in Fallbrook area, due to fires beginning Monday Oct 22. acreage in est 6,500 acres. 3 injuries have been sustained to date, no fatalities.
as of this time live fire action is still occurring in the area of rainbow glen (near red mountain) and DeLuz. fire officials say these are 2 separate fires. areas including Reche Rd, Gird Rd, and Pala Mesa resort at this time do not have live fire action however extensive mop up is underway. and fire watch continues in those areas. north county fires says that containment is at 10% and the next update will be provided at approx 7:30 pm
UPDATE (4:35)
Unconfirmed reports state that the fire is between the I15 and Live Oak Park, north of Reche Rd, and is currently burning north toward DeLuz. Local residents are commenting that Potter Middle School, Live Oak Elementary, and Fallbrook High School are untouched by the fires.
Google Map of the Fire arealink
UPDATE (4:15)
Channel 10 is reporting that the active fire in Fallbrook is now at Rainbow Glen and I15. They're concerned about it going across into Riverside. They're at the Valley Oaks mobile home park, which is about 75% destroyed. they said the fired hopscotched the Fallbrook area, got some homes and missed others.
The fire which began near the La Jolla Indian Reservation at
3:13 a.m. that Tuesday morning had spread to 1,000 acres
by 11:30 a.m. Eight injuries were reported, and the fire
had spread to part of Valley Center.
UPDATE (12:11)
According to California Department of Forestry, the Rosa update is that 325 acres have burned with 70% containment.
Voluntary evacutees going to Temecula Rec center, and
195 firefighters are working on it
UPDATE (11:49)
According to CalFire, 6100 acres has burned in the Rice Fire.
The La Jolla Indian Reservation fire is now 1,000 acres and the south side of Palomar Mountain is being evacuated.
The Witch Fire is at 159,000 acres and the Harris Fire is
at 70,000 acres.
UPDATE (11:02 am)
Reverse 9-1-1 is being used to issue mandatory evacuation orders to the DeLuz area. The area borders are the northern portion of Camp Pendelton on the south, the Riverside County border on the north and includes the community of Rainbow on the east.
Roads are begining to tighten up again restricting flow of traffic into and out of the area.
UPDATE (8:58 am)
Reports from the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services are that 500 homes have been destroyed and 6000 acres.
While the news is bad, not all homes have been lost in the Reche Rd. area. However, Atkins Nursery suffered greatly. Arson is suspected for some of the fires.
Pala Mesa is devastated.
The Lake Viejo area appears to have survived the night.
Fallbrook Downtown is in good shape so far.
UPDATE (7:36 am)
While information is still hard to find, sources in Fallbrook say that Red Mountain is still on fire, there are spotty fires around the area. Town is NOT on fire and homes that are near town for the most part and west of town are unharmed.
A new fire started last night on the Temecula side at the top of Santa Margarita and is burning toward DeLuz.
There is a new fire in Pala.
More updates to come.
UPDATE (1:43 am)
Red Mountain is burning. East Mission is still closed.
UPDATE (12:13 pm)
The fire burning on the northeast side of fallbrook is getting a little bigger. It is believed to be the East Mission area. Fires are still being fought in the Gird area and on the 76/Pala Rd. area.
UPDATE (11:03 pm)
According to sources fighting the fire, fires continue to burn in the Live Oak Park/Yucca/Gumtree area. According to Village News sources still in the area, the fire is still burning in the Gird area and we've received unconfirmed reports that Live Oak Park has suffered from the fire as well as the Megan's Bluff area.
UPDATE (9:50 pm)
According to John Buchanan, "Right now we don't have an accurate count of the home losses or the monetary loss. We have 2 civilian injuries and one firefighter injury." There are no reported fatalities.
According to Buchanan, the new gameplan is to contain the fire on the west side at Gird Road and keep it from jumping the road. On the south side of Fallbrook, they are trying to hold the boundary at Hwy 76.
According to Buchanan, they don't have a hope of containment until tomorrow and and that is if the weather is cooperating.
There has been one accident reported at North Stagecoach and E. Mission Rd., and apparently someone was Life Flighted out of town.
UPDATE (8:30 pm)
According to the California State Fire Incident page, the "Rice Fire" has burned 1500 acres in Rice Canyon in Northern San Diego County. 50 homes have been destroyed and another 30 have been damaged according to the incident page.
Other numbers from fire officials are closer to 100 homes. The town of Fallbrook has been evacuated. It is uncertain at this time if this is all the homes that have been destroyed in Fallbrook, or just the Rice Canyon area. Rice Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160 and the direct website is http://www.fire.ca.gov/
More updates shortly.
UPDATE (5:30 pm)
Fallbrook has been made the number one priority for the State of California, according to North County Fire Public Information Officer John Buchanan. Buchanan said, "The situation is very bad. It's grim and we need a lot of help."
At that time, Pala Mesa Resort was fully engulfed in flames and Valley Oaks Mobile Home park on Reche Rd. is reported as a total loss. according to fire officials. With the 2 airtankers not being available after dark, a call has gone out to Nevada, Northern California and other locations asking for an additional 100 fire engines and strike teams.
Flames were heading west through Reche Rd. and on Camino Zara and flames were climbing embankments toward Wilt Road. Flames continue to be fought on the hillside behind River Glen at I-15 and Pala Rd. There have been several explosions from propane tanks.
We will have another update shortly.
UPDATE (2:30 pm):
Evacuations are set for ALL of Fallbrook, residents are advised to leave town through the Camp Pendleton gates to the 5 Freeway, the evacuation point is San Clemente State Beach.
UPDATE (1:21 pm):
Fallbrook Hospital Urgent Care Unit is being evacuated.
Please note : This page is being updated constantly as new develops all during today. Please be sure to check back for updates.
A fire that broke out at approximately 4:10 a.m. in Rainbow this morning (Monday, October 22) has consumed over 120 acres and is still raging out of control. The fire has led to the closure of Interstate 15 and necessitated the evacuation of residents on both the east and west sides of the freeway.
“We just don’t have a lot of resources available; resources are spread very, very thin throughout the whole county,” said John Buchanan, public information officer for North County Fire. One civilian injury was reported as of 9 a.m. High winds and extremely dry condition have caused the situation to be very dangerous. Residents are asked to follow the direction of the emergency personnel, Buchanan said.
Evacuations are now in effect in Rainbow on Rice Canyon Road to Highway 76 and west to I-15 and on the west side of I-15 from East Mission Road to Pala Mesa Resort. Evacuations are going into effect for Old 395 to Yucca Rd, Tecolote Rd and Puerto De Mundo. The fire has jumped I-15 at Old Highway 395 and Reche Road, causing immediate threat to Valley Oaks Mobile Home Park. Residents east of Gird Road to Laketree Drive are currently scheduled for evacuation.
If you are given a few minutes to prepare for evacuation, gather a bag with a change of clothing, any medications you currently take, your passport and/or other form of identification, phone list, insurance policy (if easily accessible), and your pets.
Fallbrook High School has been set up as an evacuation center, 2400 S. Stage Coach Lane.
Other fires throughout the county include:
Coronado Hills Fire (San Marcos) - the communities of Coronado Hills and Discovery Hills in San Marcos. Residents evacuated to Escondido High School.
Witch Fire: Evacuation notices have gone out to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve; Del Dios; Lake Hodges; in Poway at Espola Rd., Old Coach Rd., Heritage Rd. and Stage Coach Rd. Evacuation notification has been made for Poway in the area bordered by Pomerado on the west, Twin Peaks on the south and Espola on the north and east. Poway has established an evacuation center at Poway Civic Center.
Harris Fire: Notifications have been made to residents of Mother Grundy Truck Trail and Deer Horn Valley. Evacuees were directed to Steele Canyon High and some are expected to be sent to Santana High School in Santee.
For more information please contact the Fire Information Line at 760-723-2005 or go to http://www.fire.ca.gov
Residents should call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls related to the fires. Due to large call volume, residents are also urged to find fire information online at http://www.211SanDiego.org
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messages from Fallbrook residents
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A neighbor drove through Fallbrook this morning down the fire ravaged Reche Road. As he drove the road heading west on Reche (from the Pala Mesa frontage road area), he came over the hill, the nursery and Live Oak Park were still intact. Where live Oak Park Road splits into Fallbrook it was burned on the east side of the road nearly all of the way north to Mission Road. He said it looked like a war zone and fences and telephone poles were still on fire. West of Live Oak Park Road was mainly untouched by the fire, and the rumors of Potter Jr. High burning are untrue. Reports are that part of the Fallbrook golf course have burned but haven't heard as to the extent of the damage or how far down Gird road the fire went. From my home vantage point, it looks as if the fire didn't go any further south than the golf course. The smoke in this area is nearly unbearable. The gas stations in Fallbrook are completely out of gas and stores are closed. The few places in Bonsall that are open have been nearly picked clean (even I did my grocery shopping at the local liquor store!). My neighbor managed to get the last few donuts from the Bonsall Donut Shop this morning!
I would love to hear any updated information in our area up here as the news stations seems to have forgotten that we are part of San Diego County!
Take care and God bless!
Anna
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