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Cal Fire officials report that at least four people have been seriously injured in the Harris Fire. Four air ambulances have responded to take people to UCSD Burn Center. Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least some of the injured are firefighters.
The Harris Fire is one of two wildfires are burning in the East County, whipped by Santa Ana winds. The newest one, according to the California Highway Patrol, started in the Witch Creek area, between Ramona and Santa Ysabel, somewhere along Highway 78. This fire is more than 100 acres. Authorities report buildings are threatened and the Sheriff is preparing to evacuate areas around Witch Creek.
A bigger fire is near the border where at least one home was destroyed and another was seriously damaged today in a fast-moving brush fire in a rural area near the Tecate border that was being fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds, authorities said.
"There's nothing we can really do until the wind dies down to slow it down," Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck said at midday.
The blaze started about 9:30 a.m. near Harris Ranch Road and Potrero Valley Road and had scorched both sides of Highway 94 and was heading west as
of the noon hour, but no injuries were reported, Streck said.
Highway 94 was closed between Forest Gate Road and Highway 188. The fire has jumped Highway 188.
About 50 to 100 homes were in potential harm's way as of midday. At that point, at least one home had been lost and another was seriously damaged, Streck said.
The Sheriff is issuing mandatory evacuations for Barrett Junction and Dulzura. Evacuations are also in effect from Potrero Park Road to the south; north of Highway 94; west of Harris Ranch Road and east of Potrero Valley Road.
Fire officials say people should use common sense and not wait to be told to evacuate. They advise to plan ahead if you are near the fire's path and evacuate if you see fire. They also advise that people with animals will need to plan for additional time.
Residents in and around the Julian area were told to head to Ramona High School to the west or the Borrego area to the east if Ramona was too far, according to San Diego County sheriff's officials.
About 300 firefighters were battling the flames, with help from five airtankers, three helicopters and two bulldozers.
The County Emergency Management Center has been activated. An estimated 700 homes were notified of the danger by reverse 911 calls.
County Animal Services is setting up at a shelter that has been opened for displaced residents at the Steele Canyon High School. The San Diego Humane Society is helping take care of large animals near the Jamul Fire Station.
People with non-emergency calls about the fire as asked to call 2-1-1. The non-emergency number from a cell phone is 858-300-1211.
Smoke from the fire is drifting east into more heavily populated areas. Ash is falling in some neighborhoods and residents report smelling smoke.
Watch for more updates here on FOX6.COM and see full coverage of the fire and today's Santa Ana winds tonight at 10:00 on FOX6 News.
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