By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Cal Fire firefighter douses hot spots during Border Fire

June 22, 2016 (Potrero)—Joe Cebe, Sr. lost everything at his chicken farm in Ramona during the 2003 Cedar fire.   He suffered more losses in the 2007 firestorms, when his Potrero ranch operations were disrupted.  Now during the Border Fire, he’s suffered devastating losses at the Cebe Farms facility in Potrero.  T his time, thousands of chickens died not from fire, but from bureaucratic decisions by fire officials  that left  100,000 chickens largely deprived of water and food for days  amid triple-digit heat.

“We’re running on a wing and a prayer,” Sebe told East County Magazine in an exclusive interview this morning.  He estimates at least 20% of the flock has been lost thus far. Power remains out, his water tanks are empty, and  Cal Fire initially denied a request to power up an emergency generator, he says, adding that he is currently still awaiting permission to bring in trucks with feed and more water for the surviving birds.

By Liz Alper

Photos by Liz Alper

June 22, 2016 (San Diego) - A sold-out crowd packed the Garden Room at Marie Callender's in the College Area for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce's breakfast with La Mesa mayor Mark Arapostathis.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2016 (Anza-Borrego) – A proposal  to ban off-trail hiking and other activities at sensitive areas of state parks won’t apply in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Richard Edwords

Update June 22, 2016 7:45 a.m.:  The size of the fire is 6,500 acres as of 7 a.m. today and it is now 15% contained.

June 21, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- 9 p.m.--Tonight Cal Fire indicates the Border Fire has been mapped at a reduced acreage estimate of 6,020 acres.  The fire is now 10% contained. Approximately 1,000 structures remain threatened but no homes have burned, though 4 outbuildings were lost.

Our media outlet has learned from multiple sources of a desperate need for water and food for people, pets and livestock in Potrero, where many animals have already perished. People who evacuated and were unable to bring animals with them, or who were away when the fire started, were not allowed entry by authorities into the evacuation area due to concerns over shifting winds and the potential for fire to return. One chicken ranch has had many thousands of birds die, multiple sources told ECM. Dogs, pigs, horses and other animals remain at risk, some with no food and no water. In response to our inquiry, Michele Clock with the County called and said the County will try to get help tomorrow.

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Author James Thomas will be at the Heritage of the Americas Museum (12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon) will give a presentation and book signing on Saturday, July 16 from 1-3 p.m.  He will be discussing his book, Corps of Discovery, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  Thomas is an expert on Lewis and Clark, so the facts are all there.  But he novelized the story, so his book is filled with conversation and you really feel like you get to know each person on the expedition.  We also sell his book in the Museum Store.   This presentation is fun for all ages. Thomas dresses up as an explorer from the period and brings artifacts like those used on the Lewis and Clark expedition.  So bring the family and come to the museum for this educational and entertaining event.

Source: County of San Diego

June 21, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services announced this afternoon that large animal shelters are  available at the Boulevard Customs and Border Protection station located at 2463 Ribbonwood Rd., Boulevard, and Circle T Ranch at 24215 Viejas Grade Rd., Descanso.

If you need emergency assistance evacuating, call 9-1-1. If you need additional information, visit sdcountyemergency.com or call 2-1-1.

For assistance evacuating animals, call County Animal Services dispatch at 619-236-2341.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office, courtesy County News Center

Photo courtesy County of San Diego

June 21, 2016 (Campo) - Things got hotter than they ever should have at the Border fire in the Campo area Monday when a man got a shotgun and fired shots to keep County employees from rescuing a burned emu.

Photos: Animal Control officers comfort rescue rabbits; dogs rescued from Border Fire

By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - County animal control officers have carried out dozens of rescues of animals threatened by the Border Fire including everything from dogs and cats to sheep, horses and chickens. View video of rescue efforts: https://youtu.be/6lE-IwzbO04?t=16 . If you have animals left behind in the evacuation area that need food and water, call the county’s 24-hour emergency dispatch unit at 619-236-2341. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – All schools in the Mountain Empire school district remain closed today due to the Border Fire.   The Mountain Empire High School graduation is tentatively set to be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. contingent on air quality and fire conditions. 

East County News Service

Photo: Hikers at trailhead to Three Sisters Falls (file photo)

June 20, 2016 (Julian) – Yesterday, a small vegetation fire off Boulder Creek Road a half mile from Three Sisters Falls near Julian was swiftly doused. Palomar Hot Shots, helicopters, U.S. Forest Service and a Cal Fire air tanker attacked the blaze when it had charred only a quarter of an acre at mid-morning yesterday.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Sparks across roadway driving through the Border Fire, by Richard Edwords

New fires are burning in Mexico near the border

June 20,2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The Border Fire has swelled to 7,500 acres and is still only 5% contained, Cal Fire announced this evening, adding,  “Triple digit temperatures and single digit humidity is creating extreme fire behavior and increased activity is being experienced.”

Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Potrero,Forest Gate, Star Ranch, Cowboy Ranch. Dog Patch and Canyon City communities.  An overnight evacuation shelter is set up at Los Coches Creek Middle school at 9669 Dunbar Lane in El Cajon.

Two new fires, possibly ignited by sparks from the Border Fire, are now burning in Mexico within a couple of miles from the international border south of the Border Fire conflagration.

Jan Hedlun in Potrero warns that people who did not evacuate when instructed by authorities are now facing restrictions. “Once you leave they won't let you return and many of us have livestock or animals we're tending,”she says.”My well meter has melted so no water at the house but friends dropped off a bunch of water. The worst of times brings out the best in people!”

East County News Service

Photo: Cameron Corners, March 20, by Joe Doe

March 20, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California battle the Border 3 Fire burning in San Diego County.

The FMAG provides federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs.  Eligible costs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization; and demobilization activities.

Review by Maridian Broadus

June 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Are you out of ideas of what to cook for dinner? Does your palate crave something other than the ordinary salt and pepper fare that comes out of your kitchen? If you answered “yes” to at least one of the questions posed, then pack your appetite, flee your house, and head over to Sajj House (1255 Avocado Ave., El Cajon), a marvelous new Mediterranean style restaurant where you can savor the flavors of exotic spices.

By Miriam Raftery

June 20, 2016 (Campo)--Cal Fire has ordered mandatory evacuations of Star Ranch, Forest Gate, Canyon City, Dogpatch and Cowboy Ranch in the Campo area due to the Border Fire.

Scanner traffic indicates an advisory evacuation in Lake Morena.

A red flag alert is in effect per the National Weather Service. 

Below is more info from the Sheriff earlier today on the fire that has scorched 1900 acres and is 5% contained:

East County News Service

June 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The smooth sounds of the Cat-illacs will entertain a crowd at Lemon Grove’s Summer Concert Series on Thursday, June 30^th. The summer concert series takes place each Thursday night all summer long at Berry Street Park starting at 6:30.