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 ...
Did you hear about this one?
http://fireblog.signonsandiego.com/
Parts of Solana Beach, west of I-5, ordered voluntarily evacuated
11:40 a.m.
Solana Beach’s Fire Department officials are going door to door on 12 streets to ask residents to voluntarily evacuate. The streets are all west of Interstate 5. Fire officials said they are concerned that fire could move through the San Elijo Lagoon area into coastal neighborhoods.
I didn’t hear that one, but I just heard mandatory evacuations for Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe.
Seems like only the Pacific Ocean will stop these fires.
I’m north of the airport. Based on latest info, if she lives south of Batiquitos Lagoon I would suggest she listen to KOGO AM 600 or watch KUSI (cable channel (?) for info.
Lastest as of 1152 - officials request voluntary evacuations of areas of Solana Beach west of I5.
We used to live in Solana Beach, it’s a beautiful place. I hope these fires don’t burn to the sea.
Solana Beach?!!?!? They expect it to move that far west?!
I fear you are right.
Nowhere to go but due north, up the 5.
Evidently so. Del Mar is mandatory evacuations now.
This is a wicked fire.
This is scary. I lived in So. Orange County for several years and worked in San Diego at MCAS Miramar... I traveled the “5” every day. That these fires are traveling from the 15 all the way to the 5 is beyond my comprehension.
Yes, me too, thanks. I’ve got the evac zone straight now, but am confused about where the fire actually is, and in which direction it’s heading. Do you know?
I believe there are at least seven separate fires going.
The wind is blowing west and slightly south.
Oh! I'm oriented now. When I left California I don't think that road went all the way through yet. Nice to know they finally finished it.
How awful.
Having visited the Navy in San Diego when in the USAF, I am curious as to what is happening over there. We always had a fine time in San Diego. My best to all you CA FReepers.
Winds are blowing due west, Witch Fire may burn to the coast...that’s what I heard on live feed.
just a thought . . . a modest proposal . . .
I'd hate to get horribly off-topic here, but... the funny thing is, the Bible I read tells me that whether a person is liberal or conservative, a Muslim or a Christian, a Republican or a Democrat...Jew or Gentile...I should show him or her the love of Christ...ESPECIALLY in a time of need/suffering/loss.
THAT is an "authentic" Christian attitude IMHO, and it applies whether the rapture happens or not.
I see, thank you. So the particular fire that's caused the zone to be evacuated is east of the evacuation zone? I'm sorry to be asking all these questions, but I'm worried....
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