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California: Cocos fire in San Marcos

Bill GabbertMay 15, 2014August 25, 2019UncategorizedBernardo Fire, California, Cocos Fire, Washingtonia Fire

(UPDATED at 12:13 p.m. PDT, May 16, 2014)

CAL FIRE reports that that as of early Friday morning the Cocos Fire in San Marcos has burned 3,018 acres and is 10 percent contained. See the link in the previous update for a link to a satellite map of the fire.

The weather in southern California is expected to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than it has been, which should give firefighters a chance to make some headway on the fires.

Evacuation notices have been lifted for thousands of residents in the San Marcos area.

Since the Cocos Fire started on Wednesday, 76,000 alerts have been sent to residents, via texts, emails and phone calls. The total does not translate to 76,000 people being evacuated because many residents receive the alerts by all three forms of communication.

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(UPDATED at 8:54 a.m. PDT, May 16, 2014)

A new satellite map is available for the Cocos Fire. It showed little additional spread of the fire overnight.

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(UPDATED at 7:18 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

map Cocos Fire — Map showing the Cocos Fire. The dark red squares represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:27 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014. The location of the icons can be as much as a mile in error.

The Cocos Fire, formerly known as the Washingtonia Fire, has been very active today, challenging firefighters who are trying to protect structures in remote areas surrounded by southern California chaparral. CAL Fire reports the fire has burned 1,200 acres and is 5 percent contained.

From the LA Times at 6:54 p.m. PDT, May 15:

Authorities in San Diego County issued hundreds of new mandatory evacuation orders Thursday afternoon as a wildfire in the San Marcos area grew to 1,200 acres and was spreading east toward Escondido.

Escondido residents in neighborhoods north and west of West Valley Parkway between Via Rancho Parkway and Highway 78 were ordered to leave their homes as two flanks of the Cocos wildfire raged along parched hillsides overlooking the city, officials said.

Home burning in the Cocos Fire, screen capture from NBC7 at 154 pm PDT, May 15, 2014 — Home burning in the Cocos Fire, screen capture from NBC7 at 1:54 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014.

Nearby weather stations measured the temperature at close to 100 degrees early in the afternoon.

Various reports from County and fire officials today say that 12 or 22 military helicopters are available if needed. Some of them have been dropping on the Cocos Fire today.

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(Originally published at 6:05 a.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

Cocos, Poinsettia, Bernardo Fires 320 am PDT, May 15, 2014 — Map of the Cocos, Poinsettia, and Bernardo Fires. The yellow and red icons represent heat detected by a satellite. The darkest red icons show heat that was detected at 3:20 a.m. PDT, May 15, 2014.

The fire in San Marcos, California that was first called Washingtonia and later changed to Cocos, is the only fire in San Diego County that was still showing large amounts of heat when the satellite passed over at 3:20 a.m. PDT Thursday. That does not mean the other fires are out, it could mean firefighters have at least temporarily slowed the spread to the point where they are not creating enough heat to be detected by the satellite hundreds of miles overhead.

Cocos Fire update- 700 acres 0% containment. Confirmed 3 homes destroyed, 1 structure damaged. Fire is still active and moving to the south.

— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) May 15, 2014

The map of the fire above shows the location of the Poinsettia, Cocos, and Bernardo Fires. The Cocos fire, according to CAL FIRE at 3:41 a.m. Thursday, has burned about 700 acres and three homes. The campus of Cal State San Marcos was evacuated Wednesday, and the City of San Marcos reported that all neighborhoods south of San Marcos Blvd, including Lake San Marcos, also evacuated Wednesday afternoon. By 10 p.m. 600 more evacuation notices were issued for the Elfin Forest, Indian Road, Crestwind Road, Wilgen Drive and De Loma Drive areas, according to county officials. Channel 8 said a total of about 21,000 residents have been evacuated. CAL FIRE reported that three homes have burned. San Diego County announced more evacuations at 4:21 a.m. on Thursday:

New evacuations in Cocos fire in San Marcos. Incl. Questhaven, Harmony Grove, parts of Elfin Forest http://t.co/7n8ptqVi1G — SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) May 15, 2014

San Diego County is maintaining a map showing the areas that are under evacuation orders.

We have a summary of eight fires that were burning Wednesday in San Diego County.

Numerous wildfires in San Diego County

Bill GabbertMay 14, 2014August 25, 2019UncategorizedBernardo Fire, California, Cocos Fire, Highway Fire, Poinsettia Fire, Tomahawk Fire3 Comments

(Originally published at 8:50 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014; Updated at 7:08 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

On Wednesday wildland firefighters were extremely busy in southern California’s San Diego County. We are aware of eight fires that were active Wednesday.

Tomahawk Fire, from Red Mountain at 12:24 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014.

After being desiccated off and on for weeks by hot, dry, windy weather, the vegetation was ready to burn. East and northeast Santa Ana winds on Tuesday and Wednesday pushed the fires like freight trains across the hills and through communities. By mid-afternoon on Wednesday the winds decreased, and in some areas were replaced by a slightly cooler breeze off the ocean. This caused the spread of the fires to slow, and gave firefighters a chance, aided by an aerial armada, to move in closer and work the fires.

Fire near San Marcos, screen shot from Fox 5 at 545 pm May 14, 2014 — Washingtonia Fire near San Marcos, screen shot from Fox 5 at 5:45 p.m. May 14, 2014.

Considering the number of fires, the dense population, and how stretched thin the fire suppression forces were due to the scope of the emergencies, a surprisingly few number of homes burned.
Continue reading “Numerous wildfires in San Diego County”

California: Tomahawk Fire near Fallbrook

Bill GabbertMay 14, 2014May 15, 2014UncategorizedCalifornia, Tomahawk Fire12 Comments

(UPDATED at 7:27 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

The fire is still reported to be 6,000 acres. A Type 2 Incident Management Team, with Incident Commander Garwood, is on scene.

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(UPDATED at 8:59 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

CAL FIRE reported at about 8 p.m. that the fire was 6,000 acres. It spread from the Naval Weapons Station near Fallbrook onto Camp Pendleton.

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(UPDATED at 4:40 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

A change in wind direction has resulted in Fallbrook having an increased threat from the Tomahawk Fire that started just west of the community on Camp Pendleton. The wind is now from the west and southwest pushing the smoke, and possibly the fire, closer to the town.

CAL FIRE reports that the Tomahawk fire has burned 150 acres, and the Highway fire, near Interstate 15 and SR-76 has blackened about 600 acres with no containment. Evacuations are taking place in the area of the Tomahawk fire.

The Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center reported at 4 p.m. that Interstate 15 is closed from 3.5 miles south of the junction of SR76 to 0.7 miles north of the junction of SR76 (San Diego County) as of 3:27 p.m. due to a wildfire. Possibly the Highway Fire which started near the intersection of I-15 and SR-76 is the culprit in the freeway closing issue. However, by 4:40 p.m. the Interstate reopened.

The updated map below shows the spread of the Highway, Tomahawk, and Poinsettia Fires.
Continue reading “California: Tomahawk Fire near Fallbrook”

California: Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad

Bill GabbertMay 14, 2014August 25, 2019UncategorizedCalifornia, map, Poinsettia Fire

Map Poinsettia Fire, 1205 PDT, May 14, 2014 — Map of the Poinsettia Fire, at 12:05 PDT, May 14, 2014, showing heat detected by a satellite. The location of the icons can be as much as a mile in error.

(UPDATED at 7:02 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

All evacuation orders have been lifted for the 400-acre Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad.

The fire is now considered a regional event. As of 12 p.m. today, CAL FIRE Team 4 has assumed unified command for the fires burning throughout the county. This now is being referred as the “San Diego Complex.”

A deceased person has been found inside the perimeter of the Poinsettia Fire.

The City announced today that during mopup of the 400-acre blaze, firefighters were alerted to a transient encampment in the area of Ambrosia and Calliandra. On checking the area, firefighters located a badly burned body. Further details about the deceased are unknown at this time and the investigation is ongoing. There have been no other reported injuries or fatalities.

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(UPDATED at 5:31 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

New numbers indicate # of homes burned is closer to 12….not 30.

— Shannon Handy (@ShannonCBS8) May 15, 2014

Due to still another fire, the Washitonia Fire west of Escondido, the campus of Cal State San Marcos has been evacuated. The City of San Marcos (@sanmarcoscity) reported at 4:35 p.m. that all neighborhoods south of San Marcos Blvd, including Lake San Marcos, are under a mandatory evacuation order.

The updated map below shows the spread of the Highway, Tomahawk, and Poinsettia Fires.

Tomahawk, Poinsettia, Highway, Fires, 322 pm PDT, May 14, 2014 — Tomahawk, Poinsettia, Highway, Fires, 3:22 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014. The square red icons represent heat detected by a satellite; the location of the icons can be as much as a mile in error.

Continue reading “California: Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad”

Red Flag Warnings, May 14, 2014

Bill GabbertMay 14, 2014August 25, 2019UncategorizedAlaska, Arizona, California, Red Flag Warning

Warnings for elevated wildfire danger have been issued by the National Weather Service for areas in southern California, Arizona, and Alaska.

In southern California forecasters expect northeast to east winds to be stronger than yesterday, with gusts above 65 mph. Daytime temperatures will top out in the 90s to lower 100s, with humidity values ranging between 3 and 8 percent. The weather on Thursday will also be hot, dry, and windy.

The Red Flag Warning map was current as of 11 a.m. MDT on Wednesday. Red Flag Warnings can change throughout the day as the National Weather Service offices around the country update and revise their forecasts. For the most current data, visit this NWS site.

California: Bernardo Fire near Rancho Santa Fe

Bill GabbertMay 13, 2014February 21, 2015UncategorizedBernardo Fire, California, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, time-lapse2 Comments

Map Bernardo Fire, north of San Diego, 2:52 pm PDT May 13, 2014 — Map of heat detected on the Bernardo Fire, north of San Diego near Rancho Santa Fe, at 2:52 p.m. PDT May 13, 2014. The icons can be as much as a mile in error.

(UPDATE at 8:23 a.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

All evacuations have been lifted for the Bernardo Fire north of San Diego at Rancho Santa Fe. The satellites that passed over the fire early Wednesday morning did not detect any large sources of heat or any additional fire spread.

San Diego Fire-Rescue reports Wednesday morning that 1,548 acres have burned and the fire is 25 percent contained. As of Tuesday night there were no reports of any homes burning, in spite of the fact that the fire burned through and adjacent to dense housing developments.

The weather on Wednesday will be a challenge for firefighters, who should expect 94 degrees, a relative humidity in the single digits, and by 11 a.m. 26 mph winds gusting up to 43 mph. By nightfall the winds will decrease to 10 mph or less and the humidity will rise to 39 percent by 1 a.m. Thursday.

The video report below was aired at 11 p.m. Tuesday night.

San Diego, California News Station – KFMB Channel 8 – cbs8.com

Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said about 22,000 phone numbers that had registered with AlertSanDiego were sent evacuation alerts in the first hours after the fire started on Tuesday. It was first reported near Del Norte High School’s playing fields, on Nighthawk Lane and Camino San Bernardino in the city of San Diego, about 10:40 a.m.

The video below is a time-lapse of the fire as photographed from a camera system on Mt. Woodson.