Update 10.23 2:54 pm
Please accept this message as clarification that there is NOT currently an evacuation order for San Elijo Hills in the City of San Marcos. There have been a few reports of this and IT IS NOT ACCURATE. It would be great if you could communicate this on your Web site.
Thanks so much,
Jenny Peterson Communications Officer City of San Marcos
UPDATE 10.23-2:20 MEDIA IS CONFIRMING EVAC FOR SEH SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOR HARMONY GROVE ONLY GOOD SITE: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/
UPDATE 10.23-1:14PM PST-4 RESIDENTS OF CRESTVIEW JUST GOT REVERSE 911 FOR MANDATORY EVAC..WE DID NOT? KUSI IS ALSO CONFIRMING EVAC.
10-23-07 1:03 p.m. Evacuations in Harmony Grove. Reverse 9-1-1 is being used to issue evacuation orders to 1,095 Harmony Grove households
GOOD SITE: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/
UPDATE 10.23 -TUESDAY 11AM PST
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON KUSI-9 COVERING FIRE MOVING UP HILL ON DEL DIOS INTO ELFIN PRESERVE AND BURNING HOMES IN DEL DIOS LAKE HODGES…WIND WOULD HAVE TO FLIP AND SWITCH A COUPLE TIMES TO BE ISSUE…BUT ELFIN FOREST AND SEH NEED KEEP AND EYE ON THIS SECTION OF FIRE….GOOD OLD ROB LUCK IS ON DEL SIOS HWY FOR KUSI AND HAS GOOD VIEW
A GOOD SOURCE OF UPDATES UT FIRE BLOG
CLICK HERE FOR ALL READER COMMENTS AND UPDATES
I JUST FIXED THE TIME STAMPS ON ALL THE READER COMMENTS GOING FORWARD
UPDATE 7:13 PM (Monday)-WE DROVE HOME, CAN SEE FLAMES FROM SEH ON THE RIDGE LINE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF ELFIN FOREST OR ESCONDIDO CREEK ABOVE THE CROSBY AND RSF..CAN SEE FIRE CREWS ON THE SCENE. WIND IS STILL THE FAVOR OF SEH AND NOT RSF. I WOULD RECOMMEND NOT RETURNING TO YOUR SEH HOME AND MAKE COASTAL ARRANGEMENTS.
From the City of San Marcos website:
October 22, 2007 3:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Coronado Hills Fire
San Marcos, CA- The Coronado Hills Fire is now 100% contained. San Marcos fire personnel expect it to be controlled by 12:00 PM tomorrow. The mandatory evacuation for San Elijo Hills has been lifted. Residents of San Elijo Hills may return to their homes but are advised to use caution. Weather patterns are constantly changing. Residents are advised to be prepared should another evacuation be needed. For the latest information, please stay tuned to your local television or radio for fire updates.
Reader writes AT 4:40
I called the city of San Marcos and they said the evacuation was lifted, but that one should proceed with caution. The said the fire is 100% contained, but be weary of embers. City of San Marcos # is 1-760-744-1050. Be safe.
Some more numbers:
SD sheriff 858 565 5200 will give evacuation updates
Carlsbad Fire info 760 602 7599 Press 2206
or Text SD Fire 85183
UPDATE 3:30-I LEFT SEH AT 3:15 SMOKE WAS VERY THICK AND COMING FROM THE ELFIN FOREST RECREATION AREA NOT THE DISCOVERY HILLS/CORONADO HILLS FIRE. SOME ASH FALLING. SO MUCH SMOKE DID NOT TRUST MY ABILITY TO SEE FIRE COMING AND LOW ON GAS TO DRIVE TO VIEW LOCATIONS.
UPDATE: 2:14-FIRE IS STILL TO THE SOUTH…BUT ESCONDIDO/VALLEY CENTER ARM OF FIRE IS STILL A UNKNOWN. KEEP AN EYE ON ELFIN FOREST & HARMONY. THAT IS THE AREA THAT FUELED SEH AREA TO BURN PRIOR TO DEVELOPMENT.
I STRONGLY DOUBT THEY WILL LET PEOPLE BACK INTO SEH TONIGHT …BUT I’M NO FIREMAN
SOME ASH SUPER WINDY…HARD TO GET GOOD NEWS THINKING OF JOINING MY FAMILY AT THE MOTEL 6
UPDATE 1:10PM -A LOT MORE SMOKE AN ASH COMING FROM THE NORTH EAST..
As of 12:30pm, the road into SEH from RSF is closed. You cannot get back into SEH.
UPDATE 12:30-DISCOVERY HILLS RESIDENTS ARE NOW ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME…THIS IS A GOOD SIGN FOR SEH. AS DISCOVERY HILLS WAS EVACUATED AS A RESULT OF THE 100 ACRE FIRE THAT ALSO CAUSED THE SEH EVACUATION AT 2AM.
GOOD ONLINE SOURCE FOR FIRE NEWS http://fireblog.signonsandiego.com/
UPDATE 11:46- THINGS LOOK GOOD, WIND DIRECTIONS IS PREFERABLE, NO SIGN OF FLAMES. I CAN SEE FIRE CREWS ON THE TOP OF MT. WITNEY NORTH EAST OF SEH JUST PAST AND ABOVE THE NEW FIRE STATION. SOME ASH, SUPER WINDY.
UPDATE 10:38-FIRE IS NOT IN SEH AREA AT THIS TIME. WE ARE AT THE EDGE OF THE SMOKE LINE (A GOOD SIGN) NO ASH FALLING, SUPPER WINDY. I CAN NOT SEE ANY FLAMES..LOW ON GAS AND TIRED OF RIDING MY BIKE SO UPDATES FROM VIEW SPOTS ARE MEASURED ENDEAVORS.
UPDATE: 9:55 I HAVE NOT SEEN FLAMES AGAIN ON TOP OF MT WITNEY …BUT SMOKE IS NOW OVER SEH AND SOME ASH IS FALLING, 25% OF OUR YOUNG TREES HAVE BLOWN OVER.
UPDATE:7:30 I CAN SEE FLAMES ON THE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER ON THE TOP OF MT WITNEY THE HIGHEST POINT IN COASTAL NORTH COUNTY. THEY LOOK TO BE FLAIRE UPS FROM EARLIER CORONADO HILLS FIRE
4AM UPDATE: Things look promising in SEH…not to much smoke and no visible flames to the east at 5 am. Qusthaven residents have confirmed that San Marcos fire department made a stand in a windy gap at the new fire station at the crest of the new road to help protect San Elijo Hills.
Please send us your fire and evacuation stories.
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT SUNRISE MONDAY 10.22
Does anyone have any status on when/if the evacuation will be lifted?
NO WORD YET…I DOUBT IT WILL BE SOON BASED ON FLAMES I JUST SAW AT TV TOWER
The city says that the fire is 0% contained. I don’t think it will be anytime soon that the evacuation will be lifted with such strong gust in the area.
We are out of the country, so worried… Our home is on Schoolhouse Way, nobody can get in now to get our stuff. Anything burning in SEH, how are things looking? Anyone who can respond will be so appreciated. Thanks.
Tatiana, We are only a couple miles away and we know nothing either. It’s very scary. We don’t see flames from where we are (south side of 78) but tons of smoke. We live in Palisades.
We have a house in SEH, Creekside Cottages, we are away from home and we would like to know updates…please. How are this looking? we are very worried.
No one is really reporting on SEH. We are at my business with only the internet (no TV) but news is more focused on R.B. We are just sitting here hoping for the best. This site has more info. then anything else we’ve found. Also both roads leading into SEH are closed.
Anyone still in San Elijo? My home and horses are just south of the new Fire Station. I’m out in Ohio can anyone please post an update??
I’m still here on Genoa way. Lots of smoke, but no fire that I can see so far. I was able to drive my car around the neighborhood, but not on San Elijo road. They tried to evacuate me, so i turned around.
Thanks Genoa Way. Any idea how far west and south the San Marcos fire is?
our home will not be ready until the end of november, but we’re out of town so thank you all for the updates!!! Please keep it up.
I don’t have any idea. The good news is that I can’t see it from the neighborhood, the bad news is that the local authorities are clearly overwhelmed. They can’t provide updates and because the winds are too strong, they don’t have air support. That said, their strategy is to evacuate, let it progress to the ocean and keep people from getting hurt. Property is not the priority at this point.
If anyone speaks to the Police or Fire Departments, please find out what percent of the fire has been containined and if they have any idea when SEH might be re-opened.
I just received a reverse 911 automated call instructing all residents of elfin forest to evacuate. I’m not sure if that applies to San Elijo Hills? Does anyone know?
Thank you so much for any updates.
My sister and her husband along with my mom who is down visiting were evacuated this AM. I have other firnds in SEH who think they wil be evacuated any minute.
ANY information s VERY appreciated.
We are all saying prayers here in the SF Bay Area for the community down there and the very brave fire fighters.
We just drove up to Melrose and SEH Road where it is blocked off. There were NO signs of flames and the guys keeping post said SEH was probably safe now but the winds could change?? Said we should be let back in later today.
Thanks Tamara!
We are all on pins and needles here hoping and praying for the best.
Friend of ours did not evacuate from Old Creek Ranch. This is apt complex close to Rncho Sta Fe & SE Rd. Little to no smoke around over SEH houses.
We live up off of Questhaven and are still at the house. We received the reverse 911 call but we are going to try and wait it out for a while. We are packed and ready to go but reports on the fire have been encouraging.
thanks for the coverage!
Yes, thank you for the update
THANKS!
what’s the latest?
SEH residents who evacuated south to beach areas and greater SD will have hard time returning. 5 and 15 north are jammed packed. Beach routes are slow too.
Thank you all for the info, this is horrible, we have been sick to our stomachs all day, we are going back tomorrow, but don’t arrive until Wednesday, do you know if the airport is shut down, we heard that here… We are praying that our homes, SEH and surrounding areas will be safe… Tatiana.
Are they letting us back in yet?
We are at relatives just up Ranch Sante Fe Rd off of Camino Junipero. This is the first street with houses as you go west from San Elijo Road. The Smoke is extremely thick and it is hard to breath at times.
From what I can tell, SEH looks to be safe at this time, but we are getting smoked out a bit. Doesnt appear to be coming our way.
Fingers crossed
Thanks to all the San Elijo locals for keeping everyone advised. We are lucky to have such a great community. Keep safe everyone!!
I just spoke to some firemen down off the hill for a break. They said SEH is “cold” sounds good to me. They said they are working on a few left over embers but it looks like it’s over for us. He does not know when we can go home though.
I’m calling sheriff now.
Sheriff says everybody needs to stay put. No one is going home yet 🙁 And also said don’t try to leave the county because freeways are a parking lot. Wow, it’s like Dawn of the Dead without the zombies.
we are waiting it out in Carlsbad, not much info from the media. Keep us posted, thanks.
Tamara,
That is fantastic news!
Thanks so much for the updates…please keep them coming.
NBC shows I-15 betw 56 and 79 as being shutdown. This is making 5 north traffic stuck in molasses. Getting back to SEH from south will be tough. Fires in San Ysidro & Chula Vista probably exacerbating northbound traffic.
Heard on radio that these fires were set by youths who got let go early from school. UNBELIEVABLE!! Some people just shouldnt be allowed to have kids!!!
If anyone has paid subscription to google earth or similar satellite viewing website. They might be able to access real time photo of SEH. It would be cool if you could post this. Free maps on yahoo and google are dated and show many of the completed neighborhoods still under construction.
Hard to get SEH specific info outside of this blog.
Lets keep it going!!! Thanks so much.
I am in Carlsbad too. May be one of the few safe zones.
Knock on wood.
Keep the updates coming! This site is a relief. The news does not have info about SEH/SM. Fireblog is good but nothing on SEH/SM.
listen live to Rick Roberts show http://www.760kfmb.com or radio for complete fire news. show is canceled to talk only about the fire. lots of call in’s but nothing on SEH/SM area so far.
San Elijo was just lifted
Use caution, but it is back open
Heard the Same on KNBC 7/39. SEH EVAC has been lifted!!!
3:27pm, Monday.
NBC just announced that San Elijo Hills mandatory evacuation has just been lifted and residents could go back and exercise caution. FYI. Stay safe!
Nico
As of 325pm, NBC reports Coronado Hills fire completely contained and SEH evacuation lifted. Its not on their website but Liz Carvahal (channel 7 field reporter and SEH resident) just confirmed it on TV(rather cheerfully) from remote location where she was reporting in Ramona.
Be very careful going back though everyone. If someone takes a look please report back.
My family is sitting tight for a while.
I think I will try to go home then, am only 5 miles away, will report when I get home.
I went to OC and want to come home please give us a update when someone arrives home. I’m getting people tell me the air quality and smoke is still very thick. Thanks
Some neighbors made it in and have sent the following warnings:
– Air quality is horrible. Tons of smoke
– If you have a safe place to stay, stay there. Even though it is open, it only takes one ember.
We understand that the information to lift the evacuation was false. Everyone should stay put .
BE VERY CAUTIOUS!! There is conflicting information. at 4:24pm Monday, KUSI News reports wild fire and evacuation for San Elijo Hills, Coronado Hills and another community in the area, while NBC said earlier that the evacuation was lifted. It may be wise waiting for official information before getting back, Excercise maximum caution!
Nico
I also heard its open, on 600 am radio that the mandatory evacuation is lifted. this was 30 mins ago.
am home now off schoolhouse rd. no police or road closures from west. air is pretty thick but inside not bad. area is quiet as far as I can tell no damage to area. did not go up the hill further though but traffic is moving thru.
I called the city of San Marcos and they said the evacuation was lifted, but that one should proceed with caution. The said the fire is 100% contained, but be weary of embers. City of San MArcos # is 1-760-744-1050. Be safe.
We never left today and it has been really windy all day and tons of smoke. It is open to come home, I can see all the cars. Lots of ash and it is a mess around the house. Poor air quality.
From the City of San Marcos website:
October 22, 2007 3:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Coronado Hills Fire
San Marcos, CA- The Coronado Hills Fire is now 100% contained. San Marcos fire personnel expect it to be controlled by 12:00 PM tomorrow. The mandatory evacuation for San Elijo Hills has been lifted. Residents of San Elijo Hills may return to their homes but are advised to use caution. Weather patterns are constantly changing. Residents are advised to be prepared should another evacuation be needed. For the latest information, please stay tuned to your local television or radio for fire updates.
Got home at 5pm. The outside air is poor. Inside air is OK. I could only see a little brush burnt on Twin Oaks. Itr appears the burn didnt get too close. THANK GOD FOR THE SMFD!
Thank you for keeping us up to date
Thank you to the residents for the continious updates. I am the wife of a firefighter sent to this fire and living out of San Diego county, this blog is how I am getting my information. Thanks!
We too stayed home all day packed ready to leave. The reverse 911 call came around 11:30am. Everyone who either stayed or returned home should keep thier cars packed ready to leave, the wind is not expected to die for another 2 days.
The smoke is bad but we have been able to tolerate it by running the A/C and using an air purifier. You should limit your outside exposure.
The news can be conflicting but Channel 8’s website seems to have the most detail. 250,000 have been evacuated today.
I have been home off of Questhaven. All houses up there seem to be just fine.
Only damage was due to wind. Trees, and bushes all torn about.
As mentioned in a previous post, the fire off Twin Oaks didnt appear to be too threatening of our humble community.
So, officially, it appears that there is no loss of property due to fire at this time. Air on the hill is pretty good but the valley is cloaked. We called our immeadiate neighbors to let them know everything is fine
If you want to do something, call the Police and ask them to patrol the area. There is little to now police presence which makes it ripe for burglary. If you are home, and see something strange, call the police.
I lost a tree, (small) but that is it. god bless…
We live in Sagewood and just got home within the last hour.
Visibility outside is fairly good, but really smells of smoke. We can see lights all the way out to the coast. Inside, the air is better, but not perfect. Our upstairs is better than downstairs. And the AC is really helping to filter the air.
The wind is still blowing pretty good, but not as hard as last night (so far). There are some trees knocked sideways, but overall, the neighborhood looks good.
The power is on and the cable works (along with the internet).
how is the westwidge area? I went back earlier and it was like going into a seedy jersey poolhall. At least outside, inside was cool as can be but I was quick to get myself out and back to safety in vista. Is there any news on the fires on the ridge of Elfin forest?
The ridge seems to be down at this point. We drove in and could see the fire. We just drove back up the hill and it was all gone.
With the AC thing. Do you just run the FAN or the whole AC?
we just put our ac on recycle with the air purifiers by the vents. I hope our area is good by saturday, big wedding day and got family flying in later this week.
We are running just the fan (blower) downstairs and the whole AC (which includes the fan/blower) upstairs. As soon as the temperature is cool upstairs, we’ll just use the fan. We mainly just want to filter the air through the intake filters. So far it’s working great. The air temp started around 78 upstairs.
We just ran up to San Elijo (Village Square area) and noticed only wind damage. The smoke and ash are very bad though. We also drove through Calistoga and that looks fine, as well. The air inside our home was fine, but we left after grabbing a couple of items.
Thanks a ton
My husband has been back to our house… just east of the fire station on Elfin Forest Rd. He said all the valley seemed fine. He could see flames on the Cielo ridge and lots of fire trucks up there. It appears Elfin Forest and SEH are ok for tonight! With the help of great neighbors we got our 5 horses to Vista. The air is a little better so my family is staying there. I’m still stuck in Ohio and thank you all for the updates!
First off, what’s going on with the timestamp on this site? I can’t get a read regarding date/time here. Seems to be way off. It is currently 11:22pm on Monday the 22nd so check the timestamp.
Any information on Westridge Cottages is appreciate – Highbluff Avenue.
Also, how are we looking regarding Elfin Forest? That area worries me more than anything else in the vicinity right now. All that stuff in Escondido, etc. I pray winds don’t shift our way.
Please keep this blog packed full of into. Every other site and local news stations suck. Sensationalism and no real updates on TV as well as the web sites being poorly updated. Outside of here, I find SignOnSanDiego.com to be bringing it the best.
Godspeed to all the neighbors of SEH and San Diego County.
This site has great current fire maps and free satellite views.
http://map.sdsu.edu/
As far as I can tell, there are no damaged houses in the SEH area. I believe Westridge is perfectly fine.
There may be minor wind damage, but I dont belive there was any structure loss in our area.
The SMFD did an amazing job of routing the fire away from the community as a whole. It is currently 6:44 am and there is no fire anywhere near SEH
Any word on Elfin Forest valley?
No word yet. I called the city again and their statement was that there is no immediate danger to SEH, and that Elfin Forrest was untouched. But if you look at the maps where the Witch Fire is burning, it is just on the other side of the area in RSF. So far the word is good, but the air isn’t.
I don’t understand why SEH evac is lifted but Elfin Forest/HG fire status is unknown or ongoing. Doesn’t it seem logical if that fire picked up, SEH would be threatened? I drive EF road everyday and there is dry brush/kindling everywhere. I would surmise that the westward wind, low humidity, and limited resources could bring danger to SEH quite rapidly.
Sorry to be a pessimist but would rather err on the side of safety.
The fire and winds would have to change directions and travel 15 miles to hit San Elijo again. That is why we were lifted.
Only danger we would have now is the Fallbrook fire coming this far south which is really rare.
I would expect Elfin to open later today. I hear they have it closed as embers may still be hot just on the other side of it where the Witch fire went through.
Hope this helps.
By the way, it is 9:00 AM on Tuesday right now
Craig H – thanks for clearing up question re EF Rd.
Timestamp deal on this site makes it difficult to sequence events reported. Mandatory evac in Del Mar will bring us home to SEH. Its 915am right now.
I think you will be safe back in SEH. So far, air is clearing.
We are up on the hill though.
Our thoughts are with you all
I think I just fixed the time stamp from this point going forward
Test of Fix on time stamp to PST from GMT
Can anyone tell me about the air quality in SEH right now? I understand that the fire threat is not a major concern at this time. I just don’t want to return with small children to Mariner’s Landing/Meridian if the air quality is poor. We have the ability to wait it out one more night, if needed. Just looking for advice.
test of timestamp
It is 10:27am on tuesday
Ed. Better to keep the timestamp broken as the fix puts things out of order.
Thanks neighbors for the information on Elfin Forest. It has been very difficult to get any info from news sources. We evac’ed to my sisters in Irvine so our TV coverage is also limited. If anyone hears that it is safe to return I would appreciate a posting here. 11am Tuesday
Any new news? It’s 12:05pm PT and I am about to head back to Westridge with the wife. Have been gone since 4am on Monday. I know Coronado Hills is contained, but I am a bit worried about Escondido and all the Lake Hodges/Rancho Santa Fe stuff heading our way via Elfin Forest should the wind direction change.
Anyone in Westridge or in the Schoolhouse Way vicinity who can provide info, it’d be appreciated.
Any new news in the SEH area? I am going to head south with the wife (from Dana Point) and we’re headed back to Westridge. I see the news coverage and we “appear” to be out of the woods there, but with the fires out on Lake Hodges, Escondido, RSF, etc. I still fear that the winds could push things through Elfin Forest and back our way. We had 5 minutes to pack on Monday morning and I at least want to double back, pack the cars and be ready to go if we need to jet again.
Any advice is appreciated.
KUSI just had San Elijo Hills as a mandatory evac. Keep an eye out.
We’ve stayed at our home in Calistoga the entire time. We never received a reverse call from 911. We’re packed and ready to go if necessary. With the AC running air in our home is fine. We’re just watching channels 8, 39, and KUSI for updates. We have yet to see any flames, and there is currently no wind near our home.
1:00pm Tuesday. Rod Luck (KUSI) just said that no fires have moved northwest of Del Dios – and unlikely to spread to Elfin Forrest, or Harmony grove.
Sky is clearer in SEH, but still thick to the South.
I just called the SDPD update line to find out about mandatory evacuations in SEH. I got conflicting info regarding the area. Not sure if Westridge, Schoolhouse Way, etc. are under mandatory evacuation. Any news on that? I am driving south from Dana Point as we speak and need to know if I can get into the community. 1:05pm PT. Please advise.
1 p.m. tuesday – i just read on another blog that the fire jumped del dios & is now moving northwest.
http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/witch-creek-fire-jumps-into-mount.html
We drove around SEH, the town center, lower neighborhoods of Sagewood and Ceder Crossing, and down Questhaven toward Woodley’s Glen. Everything looks clear. Some trees are knocked over and some of the construction fences are knocked over. Otherwise, no other visible damage.
We then drove down Twin Oaks to the university. We saw only a few burnt areas along the east side of Twin Oaks. Looks like it was very limited though. Nothing appears to be smoldering. No smoke rising from the ashes.
At the new fire station, we got out and hiked around. We didn’t see any signs of fire around the fire station or anywhere to the east for as far as we could see. If the fire had jumped Twin Oaks, it was extremely limited.
We last drove east on Elfin Forest road from the town center to see how far we could go. It is blocked just to the east of SEH. A couple of cars ahead of us went past the barriers, but we turned around.
There are a lot of people back in their homes and there are a normal number of cars driving around town.
The air is getting clearer, but is still extremely hazy.
From the highest points in SEH, we could not see any flames anywhere. If there is a fire in Elfin Forest or Del Dios, it is not obvious.
The winds are fairly calm.
The neighborhood is covered with a fine layer of ash. It is everywhere. We’re going to have some cleaning up to do.
Today, we’re just staying inside with the central air fans running to keep the air clean – no AC necessary yet. We are also running a humidifier which is making the air more comfortable.
i just called the san marcos hotline (1 p.m. tues) and san elijo hills is NOT under evacuation. The woman who answered the phone stated that they are currently working with the media to clear that erroneous report.
hotline: (760) 744-1050
We just got back from a recon mission were we talked to a fireman just past the fire station on elfin forrest. the told us that they were going to evac harmony grove and Elfin forrest. We asked about San Elijo Hills and he said he did not know if they were back in. We got home and watched KUSI say mandatory evac. then my brother called he got the 911 call (I dint get it as I am unlisted.) I am waiting till I see it on a diff channel. Just trying to let you know what I do.
My friends in SEH who live on Genoa just got the evacuation call again. My sis is on Trenton.
Our prayers arew with you all….
Please keep the posts coming.
UPDATE 10.23-1:14PM PST-4 RESIDENTS OF CRESTVIEW JUST GOT REVERSE 911 FOR MANDATORY EVAC..WE DID NOT? KUSI IS ALSO CONFIRMING EVAC.
10-23-07 1:03 p.m. Evacuations in Harmony Grove. Reverse 9-1-1 is being used to issue evacuation orders to 1,095 Harmony Grove households
Just heard on Channel 9 – “There is no evacuation in San Elijo Hills.” They mistook it with San Elijo Valley, Harmony Grove area (voluntary evacuation about 3-4 miles southeast of San Elijo Hills).
This is a pretty interesting map that is updated fairly regularly.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?uid=103734099241550080511&hl=en&gl=us&ptab=2&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107592071260393044446.00043d12d7e7e7af51aaa&ll=32.88074,-116.986542&spn=0.76117,1.139832&z=10&om=1
1:22pm-Tuesday.
NBC reports that 1100 homes in Harmony Grove receiving reverse 911 calls for mandatory evacuation. Also, you can access San Elijo, from Twin Oaks or RSF rd., everything seems fine here except the air quality: very poor.
KEEP an eye on the Harmony Gr./Elfin Forest area.
Nico
i just called the hotline back again and they are insisting that there is no evacuation in place for SEH and that the calls were a mistake. the person then quickly transferred me to “someone who will explain” and it went to a recording time stamped at 3:45 a.m. sorry, this info probably wasn’t that helpful and instead more confusing, but I just wanted to let people know what the city of san marcos is reporting.
westridge, any idea if the evac is back on or not? I heard they just did a mandatory of harmony grove across elfin forrest.
We got a call, so we left, but am checking from wifi…
according to CBS, the evac for SEH has been lifted as of 1:59 pm
http://www.cbs8.com/
scroll down the update:
NORTH COUNTY EVACUATIONS LIFTED: Mandatory Evacuations have been LIFTED in San Marcos for San Elijo Hills and Coronado Hills.
They were supposed to call San Elijo Valley. According to the City Manager of San Marcos on the news.
I write this from Islands with a corona.
Cheers.
By the way, San elijo valley is on the coast, not even in San Marcos
I live in the Cambria development and got a reverse 911 call for a mandatory evac.
That is apparently fake. The city of San Marcos was just on the news about 15 min ago.
The Fire Department issued an alert for San Elijo Valley (on the coast) and someone made a mistake. They then issued the reverse 911 calls.
This was on KUSI. I will look for a link
San Elijo Hills in the Westridge Villages is clear.
so is SEH safe enough to go back to and stay the night??
I live on elfin forest rd., across the street from the town center. i’m at work right now and was wondering if it’s safe to return and stay the night as well. thanks!
I came back earlier today and the sun actually broke out of the smoke cloud. Im here now and staying here (Westridge Villages-SEH). The air quality is much better than it was yesterday. I’m not worried at all.
Keep an eye on Del Dios fire. Its just on other side of EF/HG.
SEH is fine for now. I live in Westridge and everything looks fine. Heaps of ash everywhere. Many neighbors have returned. We have no AC and air quality is fine.
Took a drive over the San Elio Rd hill on to Twin OV Dr all the way to the 78 bridge. Whole area looks fine but the other side is REALLY hazy; more so than our side of the hill. It was encouraging to see many of the common area landscaping sprinklers on. There are also numerous access roads into the hills that firefighters could use if needed.
I definitely feel safe but am still packed to evacuate however. Keep the communication going. Our new neighbors across the street didn’t have phone connected yet and dont receive 911 calls. We woke them up Sun night. Please make sure new folks around you are okay and “in the know”. It never hurts to over-communicate.
Sun is shining now and I can see last ridge on horizon before the ocean. I will feel back to normal when I can see blue……
BTW its 335pm, Tuesday afternoon.
Blog Moderator: PLEASE ADJUST TIME SETTING ON THIS SITE. IT WILL HELP EVERYBODY OUT…….
If anyone wants me to check on specific address, let me know. I can let you know what was blown over, what neighbors are saying, confirm no broken windows, and that all doors secured, etc. Email me at [email protected]. No problem at all……
If I fix the time stamp issue…it will jumble the sequence of the 80 of so posts. I will place a fresh post for the readers to start on and get onto PST not GMT
Keep the exchange of info flowing it’s the best source we have
Hills Local
Everyone. DO not post here anymore. Post on the new post:
https://sanelijolife.com/2007/10/23/please-post-here-to-share-seh-fire-news/#comment-8285
Wife and I made it back home around 4pm from Dana Point today and spent a good hour packing up the cars just in case. We only had a few minutes on Sunday night/Monday morning and it made the past two days that much more difficult to swallow. We’re good to go now if we have to leave again.
For those yet to return, the neighborhood looks as good as expected. Smoke smell was in the air when we got home and backyard is full of ash and soot. Of course that’s nothing compared to what others are dealing with. Both my folks and brother live on Lake Hodges, so they’re on pins and needles as they’ve seen neighbors lose homes.
Whole this is surreal. Cannot wait until it’s over.
Currently 9:17pm on Tuesday night for those confused by timestamp.
(Note: To the owner of this blog, don’t sweat the timestamp. Hell, we all just appreciate this site and the effort put into running it. Just making mention of the time so people know what’s up.)
Wow… stunning pictures. This incident is truely scaring. Saddening events.
Back home earlier today. Packed up just in case we have to leave again. Neighborhood smells of smoke and there’s soot everywhere. Some trees down here and there as well. As long as that Harmony Grove evacuation doesn’t reach here and they contain everything off of Del Dios, I’ll feel fine. The fire in Fallbrook, shouldn’t make it this far south, God willing.
Sleeping with one eye open tonight just in case, but great to be back home.
Thanks to the owner of this blog for all the effort in keeping us updated. Per the timestamp, don’t EVEN sweat it. I just post the time I write so people can do the math and figure out when the last post came in.
Currently 12:35am on Wednesday morning.