Update: The evacuation warning has been lifted.  One lane of I-8 west has been reopened.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Eileen Martinez

August 6, 2023 -- The #PassFire has burned 10 acres near Ribbonwood Road and Opalacka in Pine Valley near Boulevard. I-8 west is closed, with traffic diverted onto Ribbonwood.

The Sheriff has issued an evacuation warning  with vulnerable people urged to leave, such as those who are disabled, have access issues,or large animals.  

However Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire reports the forward spread has been halted at 10 acres.

Update 9:56 a.m.:  The strucure fire has been extinguished and the brush fire has been halted, Cal Fire reports.  Firefighters will remain on scene for mop-up activities.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

June 27, 2019 (Boulevard) -- Cal Fire is at the scene of a fully-involved outbuilding fire in the 41000 block of Old Highway 80 in Boulevard that has spread into the vegetation. Though currently only a 20 by 20 foot spot fire, the #McCainFire has the potential to reach 20 acres, Cal Fire San Diego tweeted shortly after 9 a.m.

A vigil is planned Tuesday at 7 p.m. at El Capitan High School in Lakeside

August 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) -- After the body of Lakeside resident Christina Anderson,44, and an unidentified child were found in a burned home in Boulevard last night, an amber alert has been issued for Anderson’s two children. 

Hannah Anderson, 16, and Ethan Anderson, 8, are believed to have been abducted by James Lee DiMaggio, 40, who is driving a blue Nissan Versa with CA license plate 6WCU986. He may be heading to Texas or Canada, authorities have indicated.

“It has been determined that Ms. Anderson had been murdered,” Lieutenant Glenn Giannantonio with the San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Detail said.  Anderson reportedly had a close but platonic (not romantic) relationship with DiMaggio.  A child, not yet identified, and a dog were also found dead. Note: DiMaggio's driver's license shows a beard and mustache, however most recently he was cleanshaven.

Cal-Fire issues no burn proclamation for backcountry

New! View a video of the fire by Daren Sefcik, taken yesterday

Update 12:00 p.m.-- Cal Fire reports the Old Fire is now 907% and still 30% contained. "Firefighters are making good progress with the fire, however the winds have increased, which could cause problems," said Roxanne Provaznik at Cal Fire. The are continuing to patrol the fire and mop up hot spots."

Note: ECM apologizes for not sending an alert on this incident. Our editor was away briefly and our assistant editor was left without power due to an SDG&E outage. Thanks to Cal-Fire and Donna Tisdale for the information provided below.

September 30, 2011 (Boulevard)—A brush fire started by lightning threatened homes this afternoon in Boulevard.

Update 6:40 p.m.  The Border Fire has been halted at 120 acres, Cal Fire's Nich Schuler said.  Firefighters will remain on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.

Update 2:40 p.m. Forward spread has been stopped, Nick Schuler of Cal-Fire reports.  He added that Cal-Fire was incorrect in its earlier report; after further mapping officials have concluded that the fire did not cross the border.
September 19, 2010 (San Diego) – 1:15 p.m. -- A fire that began this morning in Mexico has now crossed over into the U.S.

“It is still very active and we are sending five engines into Mexico south of Boulevard due to the continued threat,” Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler told East County Magazine. Winds are now blowing to the north, he added.