News from the 2007 Poomacha Fire on Palomar Mountain

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Poomacha Fire Update ­ Wednesday, November 07, 2007 @ 0900 hours.

The Fire remains 95% contained and at 49,410 Acres. 100 % containment is expected by Saturday, November 10.

The erosion problem is a priority for Palomar Local residents, Please take advantage of the free sandbag at the summit heliport and Work around your homes to slow drainage down during future rains.

The Summit Heliport will be converted to a SDGE staging area today, allowing The final repairs to the grids to be competed at a rapid pace.

Palomar Residents have much to be thankful about.

The fire was weather driven, but much of the treatment and clearing that has been Done in recent years gave all firefighters an advantage to save neighborhood. We need to revisit our priorities and get moving again. Our legislators have toured the mountain and are committing to Millions of dollars to fund many fire safety and health forest project. We need to get the Fire Safe Council very active again and set some goals For continued clearing and chipping programs.

The FDNY DART RED CROSS group is leaving today. We helped deliver all our extra supplies down to the LaJolla Reservation last night. They received serious damage from the fire and will need our help to get back on their feet.

We are giving them a send off at 12 Noon at the Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Station. Anyone available, Please come over and help express our thanks.

The next serious area to be looked at is the backside of Crestline and Birch hill to the North down into Mendenhall Valley. A lighting strike in that area during a Santa Ana weather event would threaten the local neighborhood. Lets put our thoughts together and encourage our community leaders to take an aggressive stand on continued fire safety programs.

Thank you everyone for your continued cooperation and support.

George E. Lucia Sr.


Useful Numbers, Links, and Information

SDG&E 800 411-7343 for updates on power

FEMA 800 621-3362


Photos showing some of the burned areas on South Grade Road


News Reports on the Fire

  • Fire damage severe, but worst may be over by Pauline Repard, Jeanette Steele and Lisa Petrillo, San Diego Union Tribune October 23, 2007
  • Firefighters making stand high up Palomar Mountain by Linda Lou, San Diego Union Tribune, October 23, 2007
  • Wildfires spread but 'we've turned the corner' by Jeanette Steele and Pauline Repard, San Diego Union Tribune, October 24, 2007
  • Volunteer firefighters save mountaintop by J. Harry Jones, San Diego Union Tribune, October 25, 2007
  • Poomacha fire remains active by EDWARD SIFUENTES, North County Times, October 26, 2007
  • Fire seen as beneficial for mountain's ecology by Terry Rodgers, San Diego Union Tribune, October 26, 2007
  • Firefighters pounce on Poomacha fire; officials offer aid to victims by DAVE DOWNEY, North County Times, October 27, 2007
  • 'Shock and awe' assault on Poomacha fire by Greg Gross, San Diego Union Tribune, October 29, 2007
  • Anti-fire gel saved Palomar Mountain homes, has limits by COLLEEN MENSCHING, North County Times, October 31, 2007
  • FDNY Members Respond to California Wildfires
    Video of Palomar Fire News

  • Video story from BEFORE the on clearing and Barricade

  • Firefighters assault wildfire on Palomar Mountain
  • Palomar residents help feed hungry firefighters