Santa Clara firefighter Jason Falarski battles to save a house on Sand Hill Road in Poway.    Wally Skalij / LA Times

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  11:45 PM

I've been rearranging the site so that information is separated from the old fire information from 2003.  I'll put up another update soon.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  9:45 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

New maps posted in the Burn Map area:

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  9:00 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

Grass Valley Fire- This fire has burned 300 acres northwest of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County. The town of Lake Arrowhead and several adjacent towns are threatened. More than 100 homes have burned north of Lake Arrowhead and 1,500 homes are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are ongoing for all areas north of highway 189 including North Bay Drive, Grass Valley Road, north of Lake Arrowhead Dam on Highway 173, Twin Peaks, Blue Jay and North Shore areas. Voluntary evacuations are in place for Rim Forest, Lake Arrowhead, Dart Canyon, and north of Lake Gregory, Lake Gregory and Crestline. 60 engines, four water tenders and 7 crews are currently assigned to this incident. Grass Valley Fire Information line (909) 383-5688.

Slide Fire- This fire has burned 1,500 acres at Green Valley Lake near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. 20 homes have burned and 400 continue to be threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Green Valley Lake, Arrow Bear and Running Springs areas. 17 engines and five water tenders are currently assigned to this fire. Slide Fire Information Line (909) 383-5688.

Santiago Fire- This fire has burned 15,200 acres and is now 30 percent contained. The fire is burning at Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road in Irvine, Orange County. Highway 241 is closed from Santiago Canyon to Highway 133. Portola Parkway and portions of Jamboree Road in Irvine are closed. 3,000 homes and 150 commercial properties are threatened in the communities of Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Modjeska, and Silverado Canyon. Eight outbuildings have been destroyed and 12 have been damaged. Two firefighter injuries have been reported. 492 people are assigned to this incident. Santiago Fire Information Line (714) 573-6200.
 

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  8:55 PM -       SAN DIEGO

Harris Fire- This fire has burned 22,000 acres and is five percent contained. The fire started October 22 and is burning at Harris Ranch Road and both sides of Highway 94 in Portrero in San Diego County. There have been 17 civilian injuries and one death as well as five firefighter injuries on this fire. 500 homes and 100 outbuildings are threatened. Evacuations are in progress for Harris Ranch Road and Otay Lake Road. 400 people are assigned including 175 CAL FIRE staff. Harris Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.

McCoy Fire- This fire has burned 300 acres and is 50 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning in the Boulder Creek/Eagle Peak area of San Diego County. One residence and one outbuilding have been destroyed. 28 personnel are currently on scene. McCoy Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.

Rice Fire- This fire has burned 1500 acres in Rice Canyon in Northern San Diego County. 50 homes have been destroyed and another 30 have been damaged. The town of Fallbrook has been evacuated. Rice Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.

Witch Fire- This fire has burned 145,000 acres uncontained. 500 homes, 100 commercial properties, and 50 outbuildings have been destroyed. 250 homes, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings have been damaged. 5,000 residences, 1,500 commercial properties, and 300 outbuildings are currently threatened in the communities of San Diego, Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe. Seven firefighters have been injured on this fire. 625 people are assigned to this fire, of which 274 are CAL FIRE personnel. Wildcat Canyon is closed. Hwy 67 is closed from Poway to Ramona. Witch Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.  

WATER DELIVERY: Volunteers bring in cases of donated water into San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium,
which is being used as a evacuation center.

REUTERS, STAN LIU

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  8:50 PM -       LOS ANGELES

Sedgewick Fire- This fire has burned 710 acres and is now 100 percent contained. 450 homes and 1 outbuilding were threatened in the Woodstock and Brinkerhoff Road areas of Santa Barbara County. 516 personnel are assigned including 73 CAL FIRE staff. Sedgewick Fire Information Line (805) 681-5546.
 

Malibu Fire- This fire has burned 3,800 acres and is eight percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning in Malibu Canyon south of Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles County. Six homes and two businesses have been destroyed. Nine homes and five businesses have been damaged. 600 residences, 200 commercial buildings, and 100 outbuildings are threatened. 500 homes have been evacuated. Three injuries have been reported. 1,765 personnel are assigned, 136 are CAL FIRE staff. Canyon Fire Information Line (323) 881-2411.

Ranch Fire- This fire has burned 41,000 acres since October 20 and is 10 percent contained. Fire is burning six miles north of Castaic in Los Angeles County. Evacuations continue in Chiquito Canyon, Hasley Canyon, Val Verde, Hopper Canyon and toward Filmore. Three homes and four outbuildings have been destroyed. 500 residences, 50 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings are currently threatened. 767 personnel are assigned including 80 CAL FIRE staff. Ranch Fire Information Line (626) 574-5208.

Magic Fire- The magic fire started at 2:15 p.m. October 22. 1200 acres have burned and the fire is moving toward Ventura. The fire is currently burning in an agricultural are and no structures are threatened.

Buckweed Fire- This fire has burned 35,500 acres and is uncontained. The fire started October 21 and is burning at Mint Canyon Road and Sierra Highway in Los Angeles County toward Magic Mountain. A mandatory evacuation of 15,000 residents remains in effect. The communities of Santa Clarita, Leona Valley, Green Valley, Acton, Agua Dulce, and Mint Canyon are threatened.15 homes and 17 outbuildings have been destroyed and three homes have been damaged. 22 vehicles have also been destroyed. Three civilians and one firefighter have been injured. 929 personnel are assigned including 166 CAL FIRE staff. Buckweed Fire Information Line (323) 881-2411
 

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  8:00 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

Grass Valley Fire- 113 Structures destroyed.  Fire moving toward Lake Gregory, about 30 miles away.  Mandatory Evacuations for all areas north of Hwy 189 except for Valley of Enchantment and Cedar Pines Park. 

If there is anyone in the are with information or can give exact locations for burned homes, burned areas or current locations, please contact me.  dacy@fireupdate.com or 951.907.9644.

Holcomb Creek Rd.  Green Valley Lake
William Wilson Lewis III/The Press-Enterprise

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  7:55 PM -       LOS ANGELES

Mandatory evacuations for Buckweed Fire (Agua Dulce) are lifted but no one is being let back in the area yet.  Probably soon.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  7:45 PM -

According to a recent update by Cal Fires there are 17 active fires in Southern California.  The priority for fighting fires as of 1930 on October 21 is the Buckweed, Witch, Harris, Canyon, Ranch, Santiago, and Sedgewick Fires.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  7:20 PM -

I just added a lot of information for a dozen of the fires to the Stats Page.   Please review that page for the latest updates.  More information coming soon.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  7:00 PM -       SAN DIEGO

Fires moving toward the Wild Animal Park.  All endangered species have been moved. 

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  7:00 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

The 15 freeway is scheduled to be closed until tomorrow morning.

Rim Schools are closed until at least Thursday.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:55 PM -

I just received my 2nd call from someone asking me to donate to fire victims. Be careful!  Don't give your money to scammers.  If you want to donate, look up a number in the phone book and call the official number.  There are links on the left menu to many places to donate money and goods.

The Pentagon is sending six firefighting aircraft to California.  They are expected tomorrow.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:52 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

Beaumont Schools Closed on Tuesday.

Fire Story from the Mountain News

If you have any information on the status of the fires please contact me.  dacy@fireupdate.com.   FireUpdate does not suggest anyone disobey evacuation orders. 

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:35 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

All mountain roadways, including Highway 18, 330, 138, and 173, to non-emergency upbound traffic.

Evacuation Centers: 

Orange Show Fairgrounds, 689 S. E St. San Bernardino, CA, 92408
San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville at Building #3 on 7th Street.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:30 PM -

I have just updated the report and stats pages.  I will have some more info soon.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:00 PM -  

I have been being contacted about specifics.  I will have specifics posted on this site when I find them out.  Please be patient.  I will keep posting information all night.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:00 PM -       SAN DIEGO

Over 250,000 evacuated.  Over 100,000 acres burned.   

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:00 PM -       LOS ANGELES

Magic fire has grown to 1,200 acres.  It is heading toward Porter Ranch.   

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  6:00 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

Anaheim Hills fire is under control.  Only burned about an acre.    15 Freeway still closed.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  5:52 PM - 

If anyone would like to help gather information.  I am in need of someone to focus on each fire area and feed me information.  I am also looking for anyone who would like to blog/link to other articles on the net.  Please contact me at dacy@fireupdate.com.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  5:45 PM -       SAN DIEGO

Mandatory Evacuation of Harbison Canyon and Crest ordered.  Scripps Ranch added to mandatory evac, following Fallbrook in the north and Valley Center.    Qualcomm Stadium is an open evac center.  The boy scouts have tents set up and food is being broght in.   Mesa Grande Indian reservation evacuated.

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  5:30 PM -       LOS ANGELES

Evacuations: Secco Canyon and Tessero Del Val from North of Copper Hill.   Bouquet Canyon / North Vasquez Canyon Rd / San Francisquito Canyon RD/ Sierra at Agua Dulce Rd / Copper hill at San Francisquito RD.
 

Evacuation Centers: are Saugus High School.  Quartz Hill High School and Golden Valley High School.

Other Manditory Evacuations:    Montenedo, Malibu Rd, Malibu Colony, Pepperdine, Malibu Crest,Serra Retreet, Big Rock,

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  5:15 PM -       SAN DIEGO

More evacuations ordered – The Emergency Alert System (EAS) has been activated.

Mandatory partial evacuation of Fallbrook

The EAS message advises "all residents of Fallbrook, north of Highway 76 and west of Interstate 15 to evacuate the community. Evacuees should leave through Pendleton Gate at Ammunition Road and go through Marine Corps Base-Camp Pendleton to Interstate 5 North to San Clemente State Park."

Voluntary evacuation of Chula Vista

A second EAS message has been issued to City of Chula Vista residents. The City of Chula Vista "has requested residents who live in the following areas to voluntarily evacuate. This is precautionary and is suggested due to unpredictable fire predictions.

Rolling Hills, San Miguel, East Lake Woods, Bella Lago

Monday, October 22, 2007 -  5:10 PM -       INLAND EMPIRE

DC-10 just dropped it's first load on the fire in Lake Arrowhead.  He refills at the old George Airforce Base in Victorville.  10 minute flight time to fire.  8 minutes to refuel.

Monday, October 22, 2007 - 5:00 PM

I will be posting information at this site.  As many of you know, this site works because of input from it's viewers.  I gather information from Ranger Al and others and display that information here.  Please contact me with information that you have from any of the fires.  I will be doing regular postings here throughout the night.  You can contact me at  at dacy@fireupdate.com. 

If you would like to help gather information and/or want a place to blog, please contact me.  Please do not call Ranger Al directly.  He is a busy guy and all calls are screened through me.

Media:  My phone has been ringing off the hook.  Please read our story before calling.  I don't have time today to retell the story to everyone.

Dacy  (Founder, Fireupdate.com)