Witch Fire

Origination: Witch Creek, east of Ramona

County Effected: San Diego County

Start Date: 10/22/07

The Witch Fire has consumed over 165,000 acres cutting a swath of destruction through San Diego County. With around 750 homes and hundreds of other structures destroyed, the fire remains uncontained. It also continues to move and expand. The latest we have is the fire jumping the Del Dios Highway and entering the Mount Israel Area.

The current list of effected areas include (this list is partial): Alpine, Barona Indian, Reservation, Bridlewood Country Estates, Crest, Del Dios, Del Mar (parts), Encinitas (parts), Harbison Canyon, Heritage, High Valley, Julian (parts), Mt. Isreal, Mt. Woodson area, Old Coach, Old Julian Highway, Old Winery, Poway (parts), Ramona, Ranch Santa Fe, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego Country Estates (NE side), San Marcos (parts), San Pasqual Valley, Stoneridge, Valley Center, Wild Animal Park and Witch Creek.

The evacuation has seen an incredible utilization of evacuation centers. With most in Escondido at or near capacity, Escondido is currently planning a fifth evacuation center. Many people have moved the search for hotel rooms up to San Clamente and further north; however the rooms are filling up quickly.

New mandatory evacuations have been ordered in parts of Julian, for residents of Pine Hills and Wynola Woods. The designated evacuation center is the Borrego Springs High School at 2281 Diegueno Rd, Borrego Springs. Additionally residents of Encinitas who live in Olivehain north of El Camino Del Norte and east of Rancho Santa Fe Road are also under a new mandatory evacuation. The Encinitas Senior and Community Center is the designated evacuation center, at 1140 Oakcrest park Drive.

On a happy note, some evacuation orders were lifted today. These include Scripps Ranch and parts of Del Mar and Poway. The reopened area in Poway is currently listed at www.poway.org .

The current road closures include:

Espola Road closed from Lake Poway Road & Pomerado Road

Espola Road closed from Twin Peaks and Poway Road.

SR-67 closed from Vigilante to Highland Valley Road

SR-78 closed from SR-79 in Santa Ysabel to HaverfoRoad in Ramona

SR-79 closed at SR-78 in Santa Ysabel and at SR-76.

SR-79 southbound traffic being diverted to SR- 76.

SR-94 closed from Steele Canyon Road to 2 miles east of Harris Ranch Road

Interstate 15 closed in both directions from SR-78 to SR-79.

Scripps Poway Parkway closed from Interstate 15

Some maps from around the web: Map 1 and Map 2.

More updates coming soon!

 

Butch Hamilton-SEO Master

http://butchhamilton.com

http://sandiegofirewatch.blogspot.com/

http://link-scout.com