Update: The fire is now out but the roadway remains flooded and there are many other hazards. Lightning strikes are reported in the Warner Springs area and other locations including the bolt shown at left, taken by Bob Kutscher. This strike apparently ignited the fire, with smoke visible on a second image moments later shot from Borrego.

September 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A fire truck en route to a fire reported in the Scissors Crossing area near Julian has become stuck in the mud.  Highway S2 is shut down from State Route 79 to S 22 and a Sig Alert has been issued.  The fire truck initially became stuck after encountering a road washed out by flooding at 79 en route to Montezuma, according to the California Highway webpage. Smoke is also reportedly visible form Vista Point; it is unclear if this is the same fire.

  On Mt. Laguna, mudslides are reported on Sunrise Highway between I-8 and mile marker 18; Cal Trans is responding. Rockslides are also occurring on Old 80, the National Weather Service reports. In the desert, downed powerlines are reported on Rango Way and Borrego Valley Road.

A flash flood warning remains in effect until 430 p.m. for Southeastern San Diego County.Shortly before 3 p.m. National Weather service Doppler radar continued to indicate moderate to heavy rain in the area from Cuyamaca Peak to Campo. Storm spotters reported flooded roads in Pine Valley. Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Morena Village, Potrero, Campo, Descanso, Cuyamaca Peak, Highway 79, Sunrise Highway, Tierra del Sol and Interstate 8. A flash flood watch remains in effect across many other areas, along with a high heat warning.

By Paul Kruze

September 5, 2013 (San Diego)-- A small but passionate group of local environmentalists and workers for Sullivan Solar Power, a local solar panel installation company,  gathered in front of Sempra Energy’s downtown corporate offices on August 28 to protest the energy conglomerate’s backing of California Assembly Bill 327. Opponents here and at protests elsewhere in California said the bill would irreparably gut incentives for energy conservation and rooftop solar development.

Introduced by Assemblyman Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno), the proposed bill was approved by the California Senate Energy Committee late last week, with major amendments. If passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, it would replace  what utilities and other supporters say are outdated restrictions on how electrical rates are decided and approved.

Senate committee approves military strike; full Congressional authorization still needed to launch war

By  Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – Should the U.S. attack Syria? What are the potential remifications for the U.S. and the world?  What are the key issues and arguments on all sides of this compelling questions -- and where do your representatives stand?

President Barack Obama has asked Congress for approval to launch a military air strike against Syria amid indications that the Syrian president  used chemical weapons against civilians in his own country, including children.  Today, the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee voted 10-7 to approve limited authorization. Chairman John Kerry said there is "no question" that Syria used chemical weapons in violation of international law. The full Senate and the House of Representatives must both approve the action.

In the interest of providing our readers with a variety of views and information on this important issue, we’ve rounded up articles from around the world and across the nation in our special section below. Click any headline to view full text of these articles. We've even included "9 questions about Syria you were too embarassed to ask" for those who haven't kept up with the news on this emerging world crisis. 

Syria news stories:

September 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather statement covering all of East County and San Diego, along with warnings of severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and high winds occurring now in rural and mountain areas.

At 2:30 p.m., NWS Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-size hail and destructive winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. It was spotted near Santa Ysabel  and Julian, moving northwest along Highway 79 toward Cuyamaca State Park and the Cuyamaca Peak.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2013 (La Mesa) – Four years ago, Helix Water District took back management of Lake Jennings from the County.  But now the board is weighing options to reduce its operating costs or raise revenues generated by the 9,700 acre reservoir in Lakeside. Those options include closing the lake, offering a long-term lease to a neighboring district, or privatizing the lake’s facilities by turning over management to a company such as  KOA, which operates campgrounds nationwide.

On September 13 at 10 a.m., the District will hold a public workshop at its administration building, 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. You can also send comments to the board at  board@helixwater.org

September 6, 2013 (Alpine) – The 3rd annual Sage & Songbirds Fall Festival is September 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alpine Creek Town Center, 1347 Tavern Rd., Alpine.  This year’s event will include Monarch Mania, with a monarch butterfly release at 2 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2013 (Ocotillo) -- Thursday’s storm brought an unwanted surprise to residents of Ocotillo, where floodwaters swept through the desert town carrying a white,  foamy sludge. You can see a video of the sludge flood on our website at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqtr8mKDbEo&feature=youtu.be

East County Magazine photographer Jim Pelley lives in Ocotillo.  He and other residents say that they have never seen the white foamy sludge before the Ocotillo Wind Energy facility was built.

“What is it?” he asked.  “What effect will it have on our sole source aquifer?” The underground aquifer provides the town’s only source of drinking water.  Pelley also wants to know if the contaminated water will be harmful to animals.  “It has been so dry out here, I’m sure all of the wildlife is very thirsty and will be drinking this water.”

September 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – In 2011, the SoCal outdoor community lost Jerry Schad, the seasoned hiker who spread his appreciation for the outdoors throughout the San Diego region through his popular books and photographs.

Now Wilderness Press has released the first update to Schad's classic 101 Hikes in Southern California since his passing two years ago. The first edition was published in 1996. 

David Money Harris – fellow outdoor writer, hiking leader, and frequent collaborator with Schad – took on this most recent update with Jerry's legacy in mind. Harris worked with Schad on the 2005 revision to the work, and has contributed to Schad's popular Afoot & Afield series.

September 5, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• San Diego-Based Ships In Red Sea As Syria Situation Heats Up (KPBS)
• Lightning knocks East County man off his feet (10 News)
• San Diego’s Best Lakes (U-T San Diego)
• An identity crisis for Julian? (U-T San Diego)
• Water board leaves Division II seat as is (Ramona Sentinel)
• Preventing Wildfire In San Diego County
• Doing time on the fire line ( U-T San Diego)
• Solar Power Advocates Challenge California Bill Regulating Rates
• Fire damages Lemon Grove BBQ restaurant (U-T San Diego)
• Sprawl  is still sprawl, even if it’s green (Atlantic Cities)
• Expected front-runners (Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio) bow out of mayoral race (Reuters)
• Fletcher on Jacobs’ Balboa Park plan (Voice of San Diego)
• The pawns line up in San Diego’s Mayoral Race (San Diego Free Press)

STATE

• Smoke from Sierra fire reaches Yosemite Valley (Yahoo news)
• Siskiyou County votes to pursue secession from California (Sacramento Bee)
• Senate, Calif. Governor Clash On Prison Spending (AP)
• Tsunami would swamp California’s economy (Sacramento Bee)

For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down and click "read more."

September 4, 2013 (San Diego) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will hold a recruitment seminar at the CHP Border Division Office in Kearny Mesa on September 10 at 9330 Farnham Street between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Those interested in working for the CHP are required to attend this seminar before applying online at www.CHPcareers.com.  Online applications will be accepted September 12 to September 14. 

Interested applicants must R.S.V.P., as seating is limited.  To RSVP, e-mail the recruiter at 601_recruitment@CHP.CA.GOV and a confirmation will be e-mailed back if space is available.  

August  26, 2013 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District and City of La Mesa will host the 2013 Kids Care Fest at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The free, family-oriented event is open to the public and features free health care screenings.

Photo: Artist with a similar snake sculpture; installation set for Sept. 10

September 1, 2013 (Jacumba Hot Springs)--On Tuesday, September 10, Jacumba Hot Springs welcomes a giant striking rattlesnake sculpture by artist/designer Ricardo Breceda at the Community Park on Old Highway 80. The sculpture is constructed of welded metal and weighs over 800 pounds. It was a gift to the community from an anonymous community booster.

The artist , who is best known for his gigantic metal sculptures in the Anza-Borrego Desert, will be on site for the September 10th installation--and the community is planning festive activities all day from 9 am to 5 p.m. to celebrate the event.

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2013 (Yosemite) --The Rim Fire burning in Yosemite National Park has charred over 225,000 acres. Smoke this weekend drafted into Yosemite Valley as more than 5,000 firefighters continue to battle the blaze. Investigators have not yet determined the cause, but illegal marijuana growing operations are suspected.  The fire is 45 percent contained, but thousands of homes remain threatened and 11 homes have burned, along with the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp.  (For details, see: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentfile889_1195.pdf

Cal Fire now ranks the Rim Fire as the fourth worst wildfire in California history, based on acreage burned nearly 225,000 acres.  The fire could potentially surpass the 2003 Cedar Fire, which burned over 273,000 acres and remains our state’s worst wildfire ever in sheer size. But The Rim Fire is not likely to surpass the Cedar Fire in two other measurements of its disastrous scale.  The Cedar Fire still holds the record of causing the most deaths—14, and burning the most structures – 2,820.  Moreover, the collective toll of the 2007 wildfires here was even larger.

By Walt Meyer

September 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- For people in East County, it’s no secret that fire season is upon us. But at any time here in earthquake country, we can experience other sorts of disasters—and we should use the start of fire season as a reminder to check our emergency kits. As many who lived through the great fires of 2003 and 2007 know too well, there is often not time to think or plan, let alone pack once the fire is coming over the hills. And certainly with an earthquake there will be no advance warning.