EVACUATIONS IN ESCONDIDO AREA AS COCOS FIRE SPREADS EASTWARD

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Update 10 p.m. : Officers in Escondido have detained a juvenile and an adult near the scene of a fire , 10 News reports. A shelter has been opened at Escondido High School as the Cocos Fire continues ravaging North County, only 5% contained after charring 1,200 acres thus far.

In addition, a fatality is now reported in Carlsbad from the Poinsettia Fire.

Evacuation orders have been lifted in Carlsbad, Pendleton and Fallbrook, the County Emergency site reports.

The Bernardo Fire is now 75% at 15,048 acres and the Highway Fire is 100% contained at 380 acres. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 15, 2014 (Escondido)—The fast-moving Cocos Fire that has burned over 1,200 acres and destroyed several homes south of State Route 78 remains only 5% contained during the second day of the conflagration. Evacuations have been ordered in Escondido, where U-T San Diego reports some homes have been lost.

Numerous  road closures are in effect as of 5 p.m., the County Emergency Services Department reports. View list of road closures, including a portion of the Del Dios Highway due to evacuations: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/updates/cocos-fire-road-closures-05-15-14-1659/  Flames scorched hillsides behind Cal State San Marcos today, where graduation has been cancelled.

Smoke checks in several East County communities today prompted brief concerns, but none grew into major fires.  The problem areas for firefighters remain blazes scorching across North County.  

In addition, a new fire erupted at Camp Pendleton this afternoon, charring 25 acres. The Tomahawk Fire at Pendleton has charred over 6,000 acres.  The military base has offered use of  22 helicopters today. Marines are also fighting fires on the base.Four Cal Fire air tankers are also helping battle the blazes.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler told 10 News that today’s goal was to keep the fire out of Harmony Grove and protect structures. 

The Cocos Fire was law enforcement's No. 1 focus today, according to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. "We are watching your neighborhoods, we are protecting your property while you're gone," Gore said, adding that 120 deputies were assigned to fire-related duties. He urged people to heed evacuation orders. 



Several thousand San Marcos-area residents were evacuated yesterday and today. The latest evacuation orders include Questhaven, Harmony Grove and parts of Elfin Forest in San Marcos and neighboring unincorporated areas of the county. Other evacuations were ordered in areas south of San Marcos Boulevard, including Coronado Hills, Discovery Hills, Elfin Forest, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, Questhaven and San Elijo Hills.



The emergency room at Palomar Medical Center on Citracado Parkway was temporarily closed, officials said. People needing emergency care were asked to go to the hospital's other facility at 555 E. Valley Parkway.



"Everyone should still remain vigilant and stay on standby," Jacob said at a press conference today. 



 


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