Major brush fire burning in San Diego's East County-2,000 acres

[Liberty Belle]

A 2,000 acre fire burning in Lakeside, California is only 10% contained as darkness falls. The fire started shortly after noon in El Monte Valley and swiftly crested El Capitan Mountain (forcing a dramatic rescue of rock climbers and some area residents by helicopter). This is the same area where the devastating 2003 Cedar Fire began and is burning northeast, also in the vicinity of the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.

Our news service was virtually the only on in San Diego providing regular, detailed updates as well as sending wildfire alerts out via emails and twitter. If you know anyone in San Diego's East County, be sure they are aware of this fire and sign up for free wildfire alerts at www.EastCountyMagazine.org. They can also follow our ViejasAlerts on Twitter.com.

Good news is winds are calm and Cal Fire believes it's not likely that homes in neighboring areas will be endangered during the night...unless the winds kick up or another fire starts elsewhere that draws down resources locally.

That said, in the 2003 fire 911 operators were assuring people there was no need to worry or evacuate -- even as our publisher watched a 300 foot tall wall of flame leap two miles across a lake within moments. 13 people died in that valley. So....better safe than sorry. If it were me, I would have family members take turns staying awake through the night, checking TV news reports, East County Magazine, and also you can now follow CalFire on Facebook, though they haven't been posting very regular updates.

We have lots of photos on our site. Here's one:

[aquart]

1. I signed up for the alerts after my sister had to evacuate in the Witch.

Now I know what's happening in her area before she does.

[Liberty Belle]

2. Good for you.

It's amazing how many people get these alerts now.

Our site averages 2 million hits a month, higher than any news sites in San Diego except for the Union-Tribune and Channel 10 News.

Chief Ghio tells us he hears about fires from us before he hears about them from dispatch, often. We've got eyes and ears all over the back country.