November
8, 2007 1:00 PM
The
POOMACHA FIRE is 98% contained, and has burned 49,410 acres.
Fire crews continue to construct and improve fire lines
north of Palomar Mountain in the Agua Tibia Wilderness utilizing
water drops from helicopters. Residents may continue to
see smoke from this region and numerous areas within the
fire perimeter. Full containment is expected by today at
6:00 pm.
To
strengthen the fire perimeter and ensure complete extinguishment,
firefighters continue ongoing mop-up and patrol operations
applying water and extinguishing hot spots in many areas
of the fire. Initial fire suppression rehabilitation has
been initiated by crews and results are positive. Burned
Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER) are on the ground conducting
assessment operations within the fire area.
Re-opening Information: The Cleveland National Forest
reopens on Saturday, November 10, 2007 after an emergency
closure due to the recent and ongoing fires that started
October 21, 2007.
Those
restrictions that were in effect prior to the fires will
be continued. This would return the forest to the EXTREME
Forest Use Restriction Level. Under this level, the closure
of all national forest lands south of Interstate 8 and a
general prohibition on campfires, except for Laguna Campground,
will also be in affect.
The
recently burned areas of the Forest will be closed with
regard to the Santiago Fire area in the Santa Ana Mountains;
the Poomacha Fire in the Palomar Mountains; and the Witch
Fire, that burned all the national forest lands south of
State Highway 76 and north of Ramona, and portions of the
San Diego River watershed east of Ramona.
Closures
of recently burned areas, and adjoining lands are routinely
implemented to protect to public from a variety of hazards
such as rolling rocks and falling trees. There are also
firefighters continuing their work in extinguishing fires
in these areas and the discharge of firearms related to
hunting poses a threat to their welfare.
Maps of these areas will be available Friday morning, November
9, 2007 on the Cleveland National Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland
Check before you go for updated information
•
District offices are
open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM till 4:30 PM.
•
For the Cleveland National
Forest Supervisor’s Office dial (858) 673-6180.
• For Apline, Descanso, and Laguna Mountain Area contact
the Descanso Ranger District at (619) 445-6235.
•
For Palomar Mountain,
Henshaw, Ramona and Oak Grove areas contact the Palomar
Ranger District at (760) 788-0250.
• For the Ortega
Highway area, San Mateo and Corona area contact the Trabuco
Ranger District at (951) 736-1811.
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November
7, 2007
8:00 AM
The
POOMACHA FIRE is 95% contained, and has burned 49,410 acres.
Fire
crews will continue to construct and improve fire lines
north of Palomar Mountain in the Agua Tibia Wilderness utilizing
water drops from helicopters. Residents may continue to
see smoke from this region and numerous areas within the
fire perimeter. 100% containment is expected by Saturday,
November 10th.
To
strengthen the fire perimeter and ensure complete extinguishment,
firefighters continue ongoing mop-up and patrol operations
applying water and extinguishing hot spots in many areas
of the fire. Initial fire suppression rehabilitation has
been initiated by crews and results are positive.
The
Cleveland National Forest is CLOSED to the public and all
activity until further notice. Burned
Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER) area on the ground
conducting assessment operations within the fire area.
Major
Problems and Concerns: Steep inaccessible terrain on
north flank of fire. Slow progress on cold trailing the
north flank due to steep terrain. Snags are in the working
area.
Today’s Observed Fire Behavior: Isolated interior
burning in scattered locations with some smoldering logs,
snags and stump holes.
Significant Events Today: Hold and improve existing
fireline, mop up and patrol continues through out the fire
area.
Actions
Planned for Next Operational Period: Continue to construct
and improve handline on the north flank. Mop up and patrol
all other areas. Respond to citizen concerns on smokes and
hazards.
POOMACHA
Fire Information: (619) 590-3160
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November
6, 2007
8:00AM
The
POOMACHA Fire is 95% contained, and has burned 49,410 acres.
Fire
crews will continue to construct and improve fire lines
north of Palomar Mountain in the Agua Tibia Wilderness.
Residents may continue to see smoke from this region and
numerous areas within the fire perimeter.
To
strengthen the fire perimeter and ensure complete extinguishment,
firefighters continue ongoing mop-up and patrol operations
applying water and extinguishing hot spots in many areas
of the fire.
The
Cleveland National Forest is CLOSED to the public and all
activity until further notice. Burned
Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER) are on the ground conducting
assessment operations within the fire area.
Expected
Containment:
11/10/2007
Major
Problems and Concerns: Steep
inaccessible terrain on north flank of fire. Slow progress
on cold trailing the north flank due to steep terrain. Snags
are in the working area.
Today’s
Observed Fire Behavior: Isolated
interior burning in scattered locations with some smoldering
logs, snags, and stump holes.
Significant
Events Today: Hold and improve existing fireline. Mop
up and patrol continues through out the fire area.
Actions
Planned for Next Operational Period: Continue to construct
and improve handline on the north flank. Mop up and patrol
all other areas. Respond to citizen concerns on smoke and
hazards.
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November
5, 2007
8:00
AM
The
POOMACHA Fire is 95% contained, and has burned 49,410 acres.
Today,
in the north area of the fire, crews will continue to construct
and improve handlines. Residents may continue to see smoke
in the hills north of Palomar Mountain into the Aqua Tibia
Wilderness.
To
assure the fire is safe and reduce residual smoke, crews
are extinguishing and removing burning material near the
containment lines. This mop up and patrol activity is ongoing.
Excess
personnel on the POOMACHA Fire continue to be released to
staging and mobilization centers, or to reassignments. Some
personnel will be returning back to their home units. Due
to Fire Activity, the Cleveland National Forest is CLOSED
to the public and all activity until further notice.
NEW
Poomacha Fire Information Line is 619-590-3160.
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November
4, 2007
8:00 AM
The
POOMACHA FIRE is 95% contained, and has burned 49,410 acres.
Today,
in the north area of the fire, crews will continue to construct
and improve handline. Residents may continue to see smoke
in the hills above Arroyo Seco. Mop up and patrol is ongoing.
Excess personnel on the Poomacha Fire continue to be released
to staging and mobilization centers, or to reassignments.
Some personnel will be returning back to their home units.
-
The
fire started during the morning of October 23rd at 0313
AM
-
The
cause of this fire was released as a structure fire spreading
into vegetation. The cause of the structure fire is undetermined.
-
There
have been 15 minor injuries
-
The
fire has destroyed an estimated 138 homes and 78 outbuildings
-
1,562
fire personnel are currently assigned to the incident
Major
Problems & Concerns: Steep
inaccessible terrain on north flank of fire. Slow progress
on cold trailing the north flank due to steep terrain. Snags
are in the working area.
Today’s
observed fire behavior: Interior
burning in scattered locations and smoldering logs.
Significant
events today: Improvement
and holding of existing line. Mop up and patrol continued
on tall other areas of the fire.
Actions
planned for next operational period: Continue
to construct and improve handline on the north flank. Mop
up and patrol all other areas. Respond to citizen concerns,
smokes and hazards.
FIRE
INFORMATION
NEW Poomacha Fire Information # 619-590-3160
For Additional San Diego Fire Information please call "211"
For additional information go to www.fire.ca.gov and click
"Fire Information", or go to
www.nifc.gov/fire_ifo/nfn.htm
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November
2, 2007 – 8am
The
POOMACHA FIRE is 85% contained, and has burned a re-evaluated
estimate of 49,410 acres.
Today,
in the north area of the fire, significant ground and air
support will continue. Residents may continue to see smoke
in the hills above Arroyo Seco. Mop up and patrol is ongoing.
Acreage changes are due to improved mapping accuracy. Because
of the continued accomplishments on this incident, fire personnel
are starting to be released for reassignment or back to home
units.
In
an effort to follow up on questions posed at the Poomacha
Fire Community Information Briefing, the following information
is provided.
When
will the electric power be restored? Electric
power was returned Wednesday to about 349 customers in the
Palomar area. Power has already been restored along Rincon
Ranch Road up to Starbeam Lane. According to SDG&E spokesman
Ron Smith, the vast majority of customers who lost power
in the recent Poomacha Fire will have power restored by
November 6th. In a few cases where poles were burned and
required replacement, restoration of power could take slightly
longer. For more information on electric power restoration,
contact Ron Smith at 760-535-7314. Customers can also call
1-800-411-7343 for information. Be prepared with an account
number, address or phone number. Select 0 to talk to a staff
person.
Is
the water safe in Pauma Valley? Linden
Burzell, general manager of the Yuima Municipal Water District,
says water testing will be concluded by Friday, Nov. 2nd.
Results of that testing will determine whether customers
need to continue boiling their drinking water. The Yuima
Water District serves an area covering 13,000 acres in the
Pauma Valley. For more information, contact the Yuima Municipal
Water District at 760-742-3704. Spokespersons for the Rancho
Mutual Water Company, which mainly provides water to customers
along Adams Drive, say there are no safety concerns with
their water supplies. The Rancho-Pauma Mutual Water Company
also reports no problems with its water as a result of the
fires.
BURNED
AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE (BAER) TEAM BEGINS WORK ON THE HARRIS,
WITCH, AND POOMACHA FIRES
The
Department of the Interior National Interagency Burned Area
Emergency Response (BAER) Team is in place in San Diego
County and has initiated field assessments of the impacts
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of land Management,
and Tribal Lands within and downstream of the Harris, Witch,
and Poomacha Fires. The team’s primary mission is to
assess potential threats to life, property, and critical
cultural and natural resources on federal lands as a result
of the recent wildfires. One of the primary concerns is
the potential threat of flooding and mud flows. The team’s
fire assessments will look at emergency stabilization needs
for fire effects to federal infrastructure as well as critical
cultural and natural resources.
To
facilitate rapid assessment of damages, the BAER Team is
using a combination of pre- and post-fire satellite imagery,
aerial reconnaissance, and ground survey. The team is fully
integrated into local agency and tribal resource staffs.
Field assessments are expected to take about two weeks to
complete.
-
The
BAER assessments are focusing on the following Federal
and Tribal lands:
-
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife ServiceHopper
Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
-
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex
-
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern California Agency
-
Barona Tribal Lands
-
Inaja Tribal Lands
-
Jamul Indian Village Tribal Lanas
-
La Jolla Band of Luiseno Tribal Lanas
-
Mesa Grande Tribal Lanas
-
Pala Tribal Lanas
-
Pauma and Yuima Tribal Lanas
-
Rincón Tribal Lanas
-
San Pasqual Tribal Lanas
-
Santa Isabel Tribal Lanas
-
Bureau of Land management, South Coast Office
Watershed,
Threatened and Endangered Species, Vegetation, Facilities,
and Heritage and Cultural Resources have been affected by
the fires. Based on the field assessment and consistent
with Department of the Interior policy, treatments will
be designed to minimize or mitigate anticipated impacts.
If the BAER assessment process identifies other issues of
concern that are outside BAER policy to address, those issues
are being passed on to the land managers, and to other federal
and state emergency response personnel. Stabilization efforts
are also being coordinated with Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural
Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, State
of California, and local government agencies.
Following
field assessments, the BAER Team will prepare an Emergency
Stabilization Plan. It is anticipated that the plan will
be delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau
of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Affairs by late
November. Once approved, treatments will be installed as
quickly as possible. Department of the Interior policy provides
that treatments will be installed within one year from date
of containment of the fires and may be maintained or monitored
for up to three years. The local land management agencies
will be responsible for treatment implementation and maintenance.
For
additional information, contact the BAER Team Information
Officer Sandee Dingman at 702-423-2372.
FIRE
VICTIM FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Beginning
Wednesday, October 31st, food will be distributed to fire
victims in need at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 31020 Cole
Grade Road, Valley Center (just south of Valley Center High
School). Food will be distributed from the St. Vincent de
Paul food pantry during the following days & times:
Monday thru Friday from 5 – 6:30pm; and Saturday from
8:30 to 10:30am.
Donations
of non-perishable food items and drinking water will be
accepted during these times for those interested in helping
victims of the fire.
(Spanish
version)
VICTIMAS
DEL INCENDIO
En
necesidad de comida/alimento empezando Miércoles,
October 31st en la iglesia Catolica de St. Stephen, 31020
Cole Grade Road, Valley Center (sur de la High School en
Valley Center). Los alimentos seran distribuidos de la despensa
de St. Vincente de Pablo. Durante el siguiente dias: Lunes
– Viernes del las 5:00 a las 6:30 pm. Sabado de las
8:30 al las 10:30am.
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Friday,
November 2, 2007
6:00 AM
ICS Report
Current
Situation
-
Area
Involved: 49,410 acres
-
%
of Containment: 85%
- Expected
Total Containment: Nov. 3, 2007
- Expected
Control: No information
- Injuries
to date: 13
- Residence
Damaged: 4
- Residence
Destroyed: 143
-
Commercial
Property Destroyed: 1
- Outbuilding/Other
Damaged: 12
- Outbuilding/Other
Destroyed: 77
Major
Problems & Concerns: Steep
inaccessible terrain on North and Northwest side of fire.
Slopover potential in Division N is still a concern. Two pockets
were actively burning in the north area requiring air support.
Today’s
observed fire behavior: Two
pockets within the interior of the burn of the north end of
the fire are actively burning and will require air support.
Significant
events today: Mop
up and patrol to continue to secure all areas of the fire.
Actions
planned for next operational period: Construct
and improve handline in the northern part of the fire. Mop
up and patrol all other secured areas of the fire.
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Thursday,
November 1, 2007
8:00 AM
BURNOUT OPERATION PLANNED
The
Poomacha fire is now 85% contained and has burned 50,156 acres.
Today as soon as the fog lifts, a burnout operation consisting
of several hundred acres will be conducted at the north end
of the fire within the established control lines. Residents
in the surrounding areas should anticipate a large plume of
smoke. This operation is being conducted to clean up unburned
fuels along the perimeter. There will be significant ground
and air support with this operation. Mop-up and patrol continues
along the perimeter.
 We
are NOT soliciting donations over the phone for our
firefighters! If you are able to do a *69 or view the caller
ID of these scammers, please report the number to the Sheriff
at 751-4400 in Valley Center. Please call Kym at the office
for more information 751-7600.
Another
scam... The road side T-shirt sales are not being donated
to the firefighters or the victims.... no matter what you
are told!
Stop looters and scammers... If you see anything suspicious
or cars that don't belong, please call the Sheriff 751-4400.
Let's keep an eye out for our neighbors that may not be back
yet.
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Wednesday,
October 31, 2007
9:00 AM
HIGHWAY 76 REOPENS
As
of 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2007, the Jolla Reservation,
the Palomar Mountain community area, and the Highway 76 corridor
from the Valley Center Road/Rincon Ranch Road area to the
Lake Henshaw Resort area are being opened to residents and
businesses only.
All residents returning to these areas are reminded to be
cautious and drive slowly due to fire equipment and personnel
in the area.
Residents are encouraged to minimize travel and traffic in
the area.
Expected containment: Nov. 6, 2007
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Tuesday,
October 30, 2007
8:00
AM
The
POOMACHA FIRE is now 70% contained, and has burned 49,540
acres.
Pending
favorable weather conditions, a large burnout operation of
3,500 acres could be conducted in the Agua Tibia Wilderness/Palomar
Mountain area within the established control lines of the
fire. Residents in the surrounding areas should anticipate
a large plume of smoke. This operation is being conducted
to clean up unburned fuels within the fire perimeter. Focus
is continued with structure protection and perimeter control.
Control lines have been tied into the WITCH FIRE. In an effort
to return residents to the La Jolla area, heavy mop up and
patrol continues to ensure the valley area is safe. Fire behavior
is expected to be moderate today. The fire is within the Aqua
Tibia Wilderness, and control operations within this area
are difficult given the steep terrain and inaccessibility.
Communities
still threatened:
Mt.
Palomar Community, Palomar Observatory, Crosley Homestead
& Dripping Springs
Major
problems and concerns:
Conditions
were not favorable for firing operations today. Slow backing
fire north of Palomar divide. Moderate runs upslope interior
of burn. Steep inaccessible terrain on North and Northwest
side of fire. Dozer and hand line have been completed around
slopovers in some areas, but are still of concern.
Today’s
observed fire behavior:
Slow
backing fire north of Palomar divide. Short uphill runs to
ridgetops within the interior of the burn.
Actions
planned for next operational period:
Continue
structure protection and perimeter control. Firing operations
to continue as weather and conditions allow. Continue to implement
strategies to minimize the impacts to the Agua Tibia Wilderness.
Burnout operations will continue on indirect line constructed
in the Agua Tibia Wilderness as conditions allow.
- 76
East open to Rincon Ranch Road
- 76
still closed from Rincon Ranch Road to Lake Henshaw
- Palomar
Mt. still closed.
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Effective
Thursday, October 25, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. some
roads in the Valley Center area will be opened to residents
and business owners/employees only.
-
All residents returning to these areas are reminded
to be cautious and drive slowly due to fire equipment
and personnel in the area.
- Residents
are encouraged to minimize travel and traffic in the area.
- Local
law enforcement and the National Guard will remain in the
area for patrol and security.
- Due
to some remaining fire activity, the following areas remain
closed and will be reopened as soon as possible.
The
following areas will remain closed:
- Paradise
Mountain/Skyline Ranch
- Palomar
Mountain
- HWY
76 corridor from the Pala area to HWY 79
- The
Rincon, Pala, Pauma, La Jolla and San Pasqual Reservations
- The
Lake Wohlford area
Road
closure status:
- Cole
Grade Road, south of Pauma Elementary will be opened
- Lilac
Road, south of Pala Loma will be opened
- Lake
Wohlford Road will remain closed
- North
Lake Wohlford to Woods Valley will be opened
- HWY
76, east to HWY 15 to HWY 79 will remain closed
- The
Pala Casino, Pauma Casino, Harrahs Rincon Casino and Valley
View Casino remain closed to public access at this time.
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