San Diego Fires Update

El Cajon and Alpine are still safe.

The Witch Fire has crossed I-15 at Lake Hodges and is burning down the San Dieguito River basin. Since it started east of Ramona less than 24 hours ago, it has traveled over 20 linear miles and is now less than 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Homes have been destroyed in Rancho Bernardo, Ramona, Escondido, and Poway to mention only the major communities affected. In its path is Rancho Santa Fe with its multi-million dollar homes. The worst case scenario has officials fearing it will burn all the way to the sea.

The southern fire, the Harris Fire, started near Potrero on Sunday and is now approaching Otay Lakes, a distance of over 15 miles. There are fewer communities in the south but Dulzura and Barrett Junction have been evacuated.

The winds driving the fires are strong to the north, weak here in El Cajon, and moderate around the Harris fire. There are no firm numbers of casualties, acreage burned, and buildings destroyed because the numbers keep changing and the firefighters are more interested in fighting then maintaining a tote board.