STRUCTURES ON FIRE, BURN VICTIM REPORTED ON OLD HIGHWAY 80

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View video  of fire  and airdrop  by Adam Cameron.

Photos by Leslie O'Brien and Nancy Hauer

Update: Forward spread is halted; firefighters are expected to remain on scene through this evening.

May 12, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A brush fire that began near the river bed at 13425 Old Highway 80 near Las Coches Road could reach 20 acres or more and is now burning mobile homes.   A female burn patient from a homeless camp that burned has been transported to a hospital.

Two strike teams and a helicopter have been ordered.  CHP is shutting down traffic on Las Coches.

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Comments

RIP Michelle St. Clair

"Laughter is the sun that shines winter from a human face" -Victor Hugo ...
RIP Michelle St. Clair  -- Michelle was a wonderful caring free spirit.  She was always smiling and easy to laugh.  She always offered help to those around her but never asked for anything for herself. I will miss you my friend. Last year my son and I were homeless, both full time students.  I made a video montage about homelessness here and took pictures of the camp down there.  My video touched a lot of hearts.  It made a lot  of the students realize that they are not seeing the whole picture,   I am lucky to have called Michelle St Clair friend

Veteran Woman

Every 4th Saturday of the Month we (veterans) honor all who have passed away that month with a Memorial Service, with Military Honors. I would like to get in touch with the Veteran's Friend or family to let them know of this service for her. please contact me through my email. angelique92112@yahoo and would also like to know which Branch of Service she was in.  Thank you. Michelle we will do our best to honor you.

Michele homeless American Vet caught in fire

This is a Plead for our Military American Vets who were there when we needed them and now when they need us not to turn our backs.

 

Michele, on Mothers Day, received the worst Mothers Day gift a community could give: We sent her (indirectly & not knowing) to ICU in critical condition at the Burn unit hanging on for her life.  Michele was the Mother who was sent to ICU from being caught if the Lakeside fire Sunday.   The Fire Chief says he doesn't know how the fire started, that it could have been due to the hot heat and brittle vegetation in the area.

Yet we are listening to 'rumors" that it was started by the unfortunate vets that were living homeless there.  Why, because it's easier for us to turn the other cheek and not help when help is needed.  Call it human nature or what.  The reality is we have a Lady, a Mother, a Citizen who offered her life in military service to our country so we won't be homeless.  How does that work? When we needed Michele to defend & help us, when she needs us to defend & help her...We turn our Backs?

Come on we are better than that, Says Walter Choate who indirectly promised Michele and other homeless vets in our community that he has a business plan that will hire them, help the waste tire problem in county, save taxpayers money from diverting tires from our landfills; and with the monies received from offering these innovative recycled tire swings made into horses (Please see Website: TireUpCycles.com) that we can have a safe, clean, caring home for our local American Vets who for whatever reason, have found themselves homeless.

They have been getting the run around from our government officials in their respective requests for funding of this business project.  They have a business plan, working with the Small Business Administration and the SBDC to make sure their plan is reasonable, but  they are getting no where with the local officials.

I could have had Michele employed, housed, and eating a loving Mothers Day meal Sunday had our project been funded and had the community support.  I realize we can't reach those who don't want help, but I have a responsibility to reach those who do. Mr. Choate, a Vet Himself, States; You never leave your man behind & Michele is one of those.  

How can we fund a beer making business with over $650.000 saying they were going to create jobs for the local economy; only to have them go bankrupt and stick the county with debt and everything involved to sell the assets which will cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollar more.  

Then when a business comes before us with a workable business plan, Will create jobs for our local economy, save taxpayers money, bring tax revenues back into our treasury from the sells of great recycled products,... and do what's right: Snatch our American Vets out of  a hopeless situation and bring them back with the honor due them.  

Yes, we are better than that.  Let's turn this fire into a fire in our hearts; by letting Michele know we are there for her, we will work with Mr. Choate's business proposal to get this project off the ground, and she will have a home, a job, and a head start when she recovers.

Please sent cards, flowers, whatever to Michele.  Not only for her, but to let our fellow captive, homeless vets know we haven't forgotten them.   Michele's at the UCSD Burn Center, 200 West Arbor Dr., San Diego, 92103

Let her know we are here and not to let go.