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Breaking News Alert: One Dead, 8 Injured in Potrero Wildfire

Last Updated: 10-21-07 at 7:00PM PDT

Breaking News Alert: One Dead, 8 Injured in Potrero Wildfire

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA: A 3,000-acre wind-fueled brush fire that broke out Sunday in rural southern San Diego County killed one person and injured eight others, including four firefighters hospitalized in serious condition.

As of late afternoon, several homes had been destroyed in the so-called Harris Fire, which began about 9:30 a.m. near Harris Ranch and Potrero Valley roads in Portrero and was burning on both sides of Highway 94, authorities said.

Residents of Potrero, Dulzura, Barrett Junction and Tecate were evacuated.

"This is about as worse (as) fire condition(s) can get," said Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck, who said ground crews focused evacuating residents rather than protecting property due to the speed of the blaze.

As of 4 p.m., winds were pulling the flames westward at 50 to 60 mph from Potrero into Bell Valley and beyond, he said.

Authorities did not immediately identify the person who perished in the blaze or the circumstances or location of the death. Four other civilians were also injured, but officials did not elaborate or provide condition reports.

The four firefighters were airlifted to the UCSD Burn Center, Cal Fire officials said. According to a dispatcher, the firefighters' injuries, while serious, did not appear to be life-threatening.

Authorities said the firefighters were trapped in a so-called "burn-over." They were overcome by towering flames that shot over their heads, apparently while defending a structure -- similar to what happened last October when five firefighters were killed in the Esperanza wildfire in Riverside County...

Story continues at: http://www.cbs8.com/stories/story.106463.html

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State of Emergency Declared in San Diego County

Both the Potrero and Witch Creek fires have doubled in size since 6 p.m. Sunday. The San Diego County Department of Emergency Services has declared a local emergency and advises residents to call 2-1-1 (or 858/300-1211 if calling from a cell phone) for all non-emergency calls related to the fires..

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Ramona wildfire forces about 11,000 evacuations

Source: North County Times

NORTH COUNTY, S. CALIFORNIA: A local emergency was called today after a 3,000-acre wildfire fueled by Santa Ana winds burned on both sides of Highway 78 near Witch Creek Road and spread toward Ramona, causing road closures, power outages and the evacuations of some 11,000 residents, authorities said.

The blaze, dubbed the Highway 78 fire, was reported shortly before 1 p.m., has left Highway 78 closed between Old Julian Highway and Highway 79, and Highway 79 closed between Highway 78 and Highway 76, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Structures in the Witch Creek area ---- near the intersection of Highway 78 and Old Julian Highway ---- are immediately threatened, and several have burned, authorities said. The fire, which has crossed Highway 78 in several places, is burning west toward Ramona and the San Diego Country Estates area, prompting further evacuations, they said.

The Reverse 911 system was used to notify 5,461 Country Estates residents, and additional evacuations are being considered, county spokeswoman Holly Crawford said.

An evacuation center has been established at Ramona High School, 15500 Espola Road, sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said.

The center, set up by the American Red Cross, will remain open "as long as there is a need" and could remain in place overnight, spokeswoman Gayle Falkenthal said. Lodging, food, drinks and basic health services will be provided, she said.

Evacuation points for large animals and livestock have also been set up at the Lakeside rodeo grounds, at Highway 67 and Magnolia Avenue in Lakeside, said Tammy Glenn, public information officer for the county. Meanwhile, an evacuation center for pets and smaller animals has been established by the Escondido Humane Society at Poway High School, she said.

For general information on animal services, call 211. For emergencies, call county animal services at 619-767-2675.

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For information on road closures and related issues, go to: CHP Traffic Incident Information Page