Structure Fire Assist to Salton City

CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority assisted the Salton City Fire Department (Imperial County) with a Residential Structure Fire in the 2700 block of Cerritos Road. Arriving units dealt with heavy fire conditions along with 20-25 mph winds. The fire was contained to the residence of origin. The cause of this fire is under investigation with the Imperial County Fire Department.

Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority, Borrego Springs Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, Salton City Fire Department, Salton Sea Beach Fire Department, West Shores Ambulance, Imperial County Fire Department, CA State Parks and Imperial County Sheriffs Department.

Fatal Head On Motorcycle Accident

On January 30th 2011, at 11:02 CAL FIRE/Rural Fire Protection District engine companies 3363 and 7316 responded to multiple motorcycles down West of the Otay Glider Port on Otay Lakes Rd.

Upon arrival two motorcycles where found to have collided head on. Unfortunately one  patient was pronounced dead on scene. The second patient who suffered arm and leg fractures was flown to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center.

CAL FIRE was assisted by the Chula Vista Fire Department Engines 56 and 58 along with AMR medic units 412 and 420.

Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.

Vehicle Splits in Two

On January 28th at 7:15 a.m. CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority responded to a reported traffic accident on Highway 94 East of Honey Springs Road near the community of Jamul. Two engines and one medic ambulance responded to the scene and discovered a Honda Civic that had collided with a telephone and split into two pieces. The department is happy to say that all three occupants safely exited the vehicle on their own and were released at the scene. CAL FIRE would like to remind drivers that seat belts save lives and please buckle up.

Moderate To Strong Offshore Winds Late Wednesday Night Through Thursday

NORTH FLOW ALOFT BEHIND A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE OVER ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO AND SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE GREAT BASIN WILL BRING MODERATE TO LOCALLY STRONG OFFSHORE WINDS THROUGH AND BELOW MOUNTAIN PASSES AND CANYONS LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY. ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. * TIMING: WINDS INCREASING LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH STRONGEST WINDS THURSDAY. * WINDS: AREAS OF NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS. * IMPACTS: THE WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR MOTORISTS WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. WATCH FOR BROKEN TREE LIMBS AND DOWNED POWER LINES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH... OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS. THE WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR MOTORISTS WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. WATCH FOR BROKEN TREE LIMBS AND DOWNED POWER LINES. &&

Area: SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS-

Affected Counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange

Vehicle Accident Valley Center

January 14th 2011, firefighters responded to a vehicle over the side approximately 75 feet on Paradise Mountain Road in Valley Center. Firefighters found one adult male victim outside of the vehicle with moderate injuries. San Pasqual Reservation and Valley Center Fire performed an over the side rescue to safely bring the victim and rescuers up the steep slope. Fire department personnel searched the area for the driver but found no other victims. The patient was transported to Palomar Medical Center by Mercy Ambulance.



Aircraft Accident Injures Two

January 10, 2011, 5:24pm, three engine companies of CAL FIRE/San Diego County Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief John Butz responded to an airplane crash at the North end of the Warner Springs Airport. When firefighters arrived the 1942 single engine aircraft was in multiple pieces.  Two victims sustained injuries requiring transportation via Mercy Air.

Cooperative Helicopter Program

CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority has a unique helicopter program that benefits citizens across the county. CAL FIRE in cooperation with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department runs a joint helicopter program which is based out of Gillespie field in El Cajon. This program is a joint effort with CAL FIRE and San Diego County Sheriff employees that not only provides vital response to wild land fires but also serves as an aerial rescue operation. Last year this program successfully completed 48 highly specialized aerial rescues along with hundreds of wild land fire responses. This program continues to flourish and the goal is always to provide the best possible service to the public we serve. For additional information on CAL FIRE's air program just click on this link.

Winter Weather Keeps Firefighters Busy

Over the past several weeks CAL FIRE firefighters have been busy responding to weather related incidents.



December 20th 2010, CAL FIRE engine companies under the direction of Battalion Chief Ernie Marugg responded to a swift water rescue incident on Deluz Murrieta Road. When firefighters arrived they found two victims trapped, one victim was standing in the bed of the truck, the other inside the vehicle. Two swift water teams from Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Fire Department were dispatched and down stream spotters were strategically located. Once the swift water rescue teams arrived, two rescuers crossed the fast moving creek in a rescue boat. Both victims were safely returned to shore and immediately taken to an awaiting ambulance for evaluation.

On December 22, 2010 at approximately 1 pm three large boulders slid over 150 feet down the side of a mountain landing on Mussy Grade Rd. In this photo the largest of the 3 boulders is shown, it is the size of a full size truck and could not be moved by a regular bulldozer. A larger bulldozer arrived and removed the rock from the road. Fortunately no one was injured during the event.

More photos of weather related incident