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UPDATE 9 p.m. A winter storm warning remains in effect through Thursday morning. I-8, closed earlier in portions of East county due to snow, has been reopened, according to the California Department of Transportation website, though many accidents are reported and conditions remain hazardous-. State Route 79 remains closed from I-8 to 11.9 miles south of the junction of State Route 78. State Route 78 is closed from Washington Street in Julian to 11.9 miles east of the junction or SR 79. For updates on these and other roadways, check the California Department of Transportation website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi. Six to eight inches of snow have fallen in Julian today and ten to twelve inches at Mount Laguna. At Camp Palomar, Middle School students are reportedly snowed in. Send your photos of winter weather conditions to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
December 17, 2008, 12 noon (San Diego's East County) — Heavy snowfall is blanketing much of East County, clogging major highways.
"Snow is falling on I-8 from the Golden Acorn Casino east to Jacumba," CAL FIRE Captain Nick Schuler told East County Magazine, calling from Boulevard where an estimated one to two inches of snow covered the ground. "I'm out here with a four-wheel-drive vehicle and I wouldn't recommend cars out here. We are responding to accidents on the I-8 corridor." CAL FIRE also responded to a fire on BIA 15 south of Highway 94 this morning, where a home burned to the ground, Schuler reported.
In the mountain areas, chains are required. More than four inches of snow has fallen in town and more in outlying regions, according to the Julian Chamber of Commerce weather and road conditions line: (760)765-1857 ext. 5. Updates are also available at www.julianweather.com.
"The weather is horrible!" Maureen Anderson, information assistant at the Descanso Ranger District office in Cleveland National Forest, declared. Chains are required on Sunrise Highway to Mount Laguna, she confirmed. "I'™m telling people who are calling and want to go play in the snow to wait until tomorrow, after the snow ploughs go through."
For additional information on road conditions, call (800)427-7623 or check the Traffic Links on East County Magazine's website at
The California Highway Patrol advises carrying chains during winter weather and has other winter driving tips at www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/08-55.pdf.
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