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Air Quality Tips for San Diegans

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In the wake of the wildfires in San Diego, the air quality across the county has been impacted, according to county officials. Thus, locals are advised to follow a few tips to reduce their exposure to the smoke and air pollution.

According to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, air quality is currently considered less than moderate. In areas near the fires, elevated levels of particulate matter may result in unhealthy air quality.

In turn, exposure to smoke and particulate matter can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and difficulty breathing, especially for those who suffer from chronic lung diseases such as asthma.

To avoid this, county health officials say locals should stay indoors if they haven’t been asked to evacuate and reduce physical activity outdoors. Also, residents can run their air conditioner or central air conditioning system, which provides a fresh air option without opening windows.

In extreme cases, health officials recommend residents relocate to an area not impact by smoke from the fires.

Meanwhile, Scripps Health also offered a few public health tips.

For instance, Scripps Health says people with chronic lung diseases should stay away from fire areas until the smoke clears and cannot be smelled or tasted.

“Be patient, as ashes can smolder for a long time after the fires are extinguished,” Scripps Health officials said.

Anyone who experiences shortness of breath and chest pain should head to an emergency department for evaluation.

Finally, anyone suffering from feelings of anxiety during the fires should spend time with friends and family, and “reflect on the successes of emergency responders and preservation of human life,” according to Scripps.


Crews Face Extreme Heat at Tomahawk Fire

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A Tomahawk Fire flare-up prompted new evacuations on Camp Pendleton Thursday afternoon.

There is a mandatory evacuation order for people living on Olive Hill Road from South Mission Road to Ladera Vista Road.

Personnel in the Las Pulgas area of Camp Pendleton have been evacuated to the School of Infantry West gym, according to Marine Corps officials.

The new flare-up has burned 25 acres so far.

Residents of two base housing communities on Camp Pendleton have been allowed to return home after the fire threatened the area.

The evacuation order for De Luz housing was lifted Thursday afternoon; the area had been without power due to more than 40 downed power lines. People who live in O'Neill Heights housing were allowed to return home Wednesday night.

The fast-moving brush fire has reached 6,000 acres and is now 15 percent contained, according to Marine Corps officials.

Cal Fire Capt. Kendall Bortisser said there were 10 pieces of aircraft working on the brush fire Thursday morning.

Temperatures at Camp Pendleton reached 100 degrees Thursday. As of 4:30 p.m., the winds had picked up slightly, measuring around 10 mph. Humidity plummeted to 3 percent.

Fallbrook Union High School District and the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, which cover Camp Pendleton, were closed Thursday and will be closed again Friday.

Only essential personnel reported to Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook on Thursday.

The fire started around 9:45 a.m. near Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook near east side of Pendleton, one of the first in a string of wildfires across the county Wednesday.

Despite the size of the fire, officials said no homes have been damaged. Several outbuildings and storage units did sustain damage.

Nearly 900 people were evacuated Wednesday.

If you have breaking news pictures, send them to isee@nbcsandiego.com or tag with #nbc7breaking on Instagram.



Photo Credit: Camp Pendleton Scout

New Homes Destroyed, Threatened in San Marcos Fire

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An erratic fire tearing a devastating path through one San Diego County community abruptly flared up Thursday afternoon with "explosive growth," destroying and threatening more homes in San Marcos and posing a new challenge for fire crews battling five separate blazes across the region.

The Cocos Fire burned at least one home completely, and as it spread Thursday afternoon, another structure went up in flames on Phoenix Way.

Explosions were heard as more structures became fully involved in flames off Country Club Drive near Kauana Loa Drive in Escondido. Click here for full coverage of the Escondido section of the Cocos Fire

The fire jumped Coronado Hills Drive and approached several homes across the brush divide, moving faster than firefighters could over the hilly terrain and narrow, one-way roads, according to an NBC 7 News crew near the scene.

Flames could be seen marching up the hillside, burning eucalyptus trees in the backyards of homes along Via Del Caballo and Camino Hermoso. However, quick action from fire crews and shifting winds moved the flames away from the area.

From Bresa De Loma Drive, flames could be seen cresting the hill behind Harmony Grove Road, near structures. Fires are known to move quickly uphill, but a NBC 7 crew said this blaze is racing downhill just as fast -- as if it was being pulled down by gravity. 

The flare-up came hours after fire officials identified the Cocos Fire as their "No. 1 priority" among a host of active brush fires that have ravaged the county over the last three days. The fire, which was about 5 percent contained and burning 1,200 acres Thursday morning, has already destroyed at least five structures and forced the evacuation of Cal State San Marcos and 29,000 homes.

By noon Thursday, evacuation notices were in effect for Questhaven, Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest, Coronado Hills, San Elijo Hills, Cal State San Marcos and Discovery Hills.

At 2 p.m., mandatory evacuations were ordered for Escondido residents living north and west of West Valley Parkway between Via Rancho Parkway and Highway 78. 

To the south of the fire, residents were ordered to evacuate in the communities of Del Dios and Mt. Israel, north of Lake Hodges. 

A new evacuation point has been set up at Escondido High School, 1535 N. Broadway.

The fire was one of at least five still burning across the county Thursday, down from a high of nine separate blazes that have scorched more than 9,000 acres. In all, the concurrent fires had consumed or damaged more than a dozen structures and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage.

The timing and proximity of the fires has fueled speculation that arson could be involved, officials said it would be premature to comment on a cause in the early stages of the investigation. They noted that current weather conditions could cause even a small spark to ignite a brush fire.

"The grass out there is nothing but kindling for these fires, and we had winds, you know, very high speeds," San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said. "It only takes -- I was told by CalFire -- a few hundred degrees to ignite that grass."

Thursday afternoon, crews had to battle ever-changing wind patterns that began to pull behind the plume-driven" fire, according to Cal Fire's Mike Mohler. 

"So we actually have wind on this fire, but the fire is creating that wind. So you’ve seen the explosive fire growth this afternoon," Mohler said. 

Crews have been on the fire line for more than 36 hours, so officials ordered in additional resources and started rotating the firefighters out. 

Among those entering their third day of work is a Heartland Fire crew protecting homes on Cycad Drive, just off Coronado Hills Drive. 

There, the fire got so close to one house that it melted the blinds inside the windows. 

Firefighter Joe Howard said all the flame and heat went down both sides of the house.

“Initially when it came through, this was all red – fire on fire – so we had to wait for it to go through before we could actually get back here and start putting stuff out,” said Firefighter Joe Howard. 

Overgrown brush on the property became an issue for the crew, and the flames destroyed a shed and a truck on the property.

Still, firefighters were able to save the house.  

While a DC-10 Super Tanker was requested but not available, officials said in a morning briefing that the support ground crews received from San Diego helicopters with night drops overnight made a difference in controlling the fire.

Map of Wildfire Activity and Open Shelters

Complete List of School Closures | List of Areas Under Evacuation

Hot, dry conditions did nothing to help. Temperatures reached 94 degrees as of 10 a.m. but were likely to reach 101. Humidity was at 6 percent with winds at 3 mph. The extreme heat created additional challenges for firefighters, including those battling the fast-moving Tomahawk Fire charring 6,000 acres near Camp Pendleton.

Even with gains in parts of the county, including the complete containment of several of the fires, life remained on pause for many residents. School closures throughout San Diego kept more than 100,000 children home and thousands of homes and businesses remained under evacuation orders Thursday. Residents were urged to stay off the roads to make way for emergency vehicles. Schuler asked residents to respect the mandatory evacuation orders so crews can do their jobs.

“One of the challenges we faced yesterday is getting homeowners to leave and while we’re doing that we’re unable to fight the fire,” he said.

Gore echoed that messaging, saying 120 deputies have been stationed in San Marcos alone to protect the vacated properties.  He advised residents to follow the directions of firefighters and stay out of the area as long as requested.

“We are watching your neighborhoods,” Gore said.

At its peak, officials said 250 people used the evacuation shelter at Mission Hills High School, and while about half had left by Thursday morning, organizers saw a new influx later that day as flare-ups continued. 

The school will remain closed Friday so county officials can continue to use it as a shelter. 

“It’s a crisis. We have to shift from education to taking care of folks. So that’s what we’re going to do,” said Mission Hills High School's Courtney Goode. “Tests can be made up and what not but lives are being heavily impacted right now so that needs to be our focus.”

Resources are available to all residents who may need recovery information through the county’s recovery website at sdcountyrecovery.com.

Check back for updates on this story.
 

El Cajon Police, SWAT Team Involved in Shooting

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An El Cajon police officer was involved in a shooting this morning on the 900 block of Ellen Lane in an incident that involved a SWAT team.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. when the officer shot a suspect, according to police.

The suspect was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

The officer was not injured in the incident.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Military Helps Fight Fires

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If there is a positive that can be taken out of the fires that have ravaged the county, it’s that help from the military is never far away.

“Everybody is working together,” County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. “And the military. We have major assets that are partnering with the county and Cal Fire on the aerial attacks.”

She said Camp Pendleton has 22 helicopters in the air today to  combat the fires – 12 of which will be used on county fires, the rest on the fire that has torched 6,000 acres on Camp Pendleton.

Other military assets have been deployed throughout the area.

Third Marine Aircraft Wing helicopters partnered with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires ablaze in San Diego County.

Eight CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters were deployed to help contain the fires at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. A CH-46E helicopter can transport a water bucket with a capacity of 325 gallons, while a CH-53E can transport a water bucket containing 900 gallons of water to assist in the firefighting.

“We’ve got a lot of cooperation throughout California,” San Diego County District Supervisor Bill Horn said said.

Update on San Diego Brush Fires

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As San Diego awakened to a third day of devastating brush fires burning in the county, officials offered updates on the fires still threatening homes.

On Wednesday, crews battled nine fires that scorched more than 9,000 acres. The bulk of those blazes burned in the North County.

Click Here for Map of Wildfire Activity and Open Shelters

A red flag warning remains in effect through 5 p.m. on Thursday. This means San Diegans should expect extreme high temperatures and dry conditions to continue. Winds will be calmer, however, blowing at approximately half the speeds they did on Wednesday, per NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh. Still, the region continues to experience Santa Ana conditions.

NBC 7's Whitney Southwick also said weather conditions appear to be improving.

“Good news - the wind has shifted, the Santa Ana is dying a quick death as the onshore flow kicks in bringing us cooler, more moist air from off the ocean,” said Southwick. “The bad news is it will take another couple days to fully make the switch.”

The heat, however, persists, but perhaps not for long.

“Today has been brutally hot with more than a half dozen communities hitting triple-digits. That said, along the coast we actually saw temps drop in a few areas at midday from the mid-90s down into the upper 80s: a clear indication of a major change in our weather,” added Southwick.

Humidity levels should also increase overnight, Southwick said, which will help reduce the fire danger. By Friday, the temperature will be in the 80s and 90s, and by next week, 60s and 70s will return.

Complete List of School Closures | List of Areas Under Evacuation

Cocos Fire in San Marcos:

  • Mandatory evacuations include Harmony Grove, Questhaven, Cal State San Marcos, North of San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills, Discovery Meadows, Coronado Hills, Elfin Forest, Indian Ridge Rd., Crestwind Rd., Wilgen Dr. and Bresa Del Loma Drive.
  • 211 Tweeted evacuations of the Village Condo Area: Trilogy and Aurora and San Elijo Streets
  • An evacuation shelter has been set up at Mission Hills High School at 1 Mission Hills Court.
  • 1,200 acres
  • 5 percent contained as of 4 p.m. Thursday
  • Several homes destroyed
  • Cocos Fire Information Line: (562) 708-9631
  • No. 1 priority Thursday is to keep the fire out of Harmony Grove with an emphasis on structure protection, structure defense and perimeter control, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler
  • Road closures include: Del Dios Highway from Via Rancho Parkway to Rancho Drive, South Twin Oaks Valley Road at Hwy 78, Craven Road at Twin Oaks Valley Road, Village Drive at Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Elijo Road at Double Peak Road, Melrose Drive at Rancho Santa Fe Road, Melrose Drive at San Elijo Road, San Elijo Road at Rancho Santa Fe Road, Elfin Forest Road at Calistoga Way, Questhaven Road at City Limit, Coronado Hills Drive at Via Del Campo and Fallsview Road at San Elijo Road. 
  • Rancho Santa Fe Road will be open to both north and southbound traffic
  • North County Transit District will cease service at the Cal State University San Marcos SPRINTER Station starting at 1 p.m. Thursday.
  • Weather Update: According to NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, the temperature in San Marcos began at approximately 94 degrees Thursday morning, but is likely to reach 101 degrees with winds at 3 mph. Humidity is at 6 percent.
  • Residents in the Harmony Grove area have experienced destructive wildfires in the past.
    On Oct. 21, 1996, the Harmony Grove Fire ravaged the area in southeast Carlsbad, destroying 54 homes. In that incident, shifting winds drove the fire across the southeastern boundary of the city and into residential neighborhoods of La Costa. According to City of Carlsbad records, the fire left $11.8 billion worth of damage in its wake. Four firefighters and two residents were injured. One of those residents died from severe burns sustained as he tried to evacuate his home.

Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad (renamed "San Diego Complex" Fire):

  • 75 percent contained
  • 400 acres burned
  • 22 units destroyed (a condo complex with18 units and four single family homes)
  • Started in the area of El Camino Real and Poinsettia Lane
  • 300 firefighters on fire line on Thursday morning
  • Still working to restore power (El Camino Real area to Black Rail Road)
  • Road closures incuded Aviara Parkway from Ambrosia Lane to El Camino Real, El Camino Real from Alga Road to Palomar Airport Road, Poinsettia Lane from Black Rail Road to El Camino Real, Palomar Oaks Way and Cassia Road
  • As of Thursday morning, Aviara Parkway between Ambrosia Lane and El Camino Real had reopened to traffic. However, officials are asking residents to limit their travel as much as possible in order to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
  • Legoland reopened after Wednesday's evacuation
  • Estimated damage at $22.5 million and counting
  • Weather Update: NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said it's about 94 degrees in Carlsbad, with 3 mph winds and 6 percent humidity.
  • The Carlsbad Police Department has established a Tip Hotline for the Poinsettia Fire. If you have any information regarding the origin of the fire or suspicious activity or persons who may be involved with the starting of the fires, please call (760) 602-7599 or email PoinsettiaFire@carlsbadca.gov
     

Tomahawk Fire near Camp Pendleton:

  • 10 aircraft crews to work on fire on Thursday
  • 12 more have been requested
  • 20 percent contained
  • 6,000 acres
  • No structures damaged or destroyed
  • Started at Naval Weapons Station- Fallbrook
  • Power outages in De Luz housing area as fire damaged more than 40 power lines
  • Evacuation order for De Luz housing area and all others lifted
  • 890 residents evacuated
  • Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook gates will be closed Thursday and traffic will not have access through the weapons station into Camp Pendleton.
  • Weather Update: According to NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, Thursday's temperature in Camp Pendleton will be about 97 degrees, with winds at 6 mph. Though the wind speeds have decreased, the heat is higher than usual, about 25 degrees above average. Also, humidity plummeted to 4 percent.

Highway Fire in Bonsall, Fallbrook area:

  • Cal Fire top priority on Thursday 
  • 500 acres
  • 40 percent containment, and officials say they have a good handle on this fire
  • No homes destroyed or damaged
  • Started: Old Hwy 395 north of White Lilac
  • Heavy fuels have not burned since Gopher Canyon Fire (1970)

River Fire in Oceanside:

  • 100 acres as of 10 p.m.
  • Fire contained to riverbed
  • 40 to 50 homes were evacuated
  • Evacuations lifted

Bernardo Fire:

  • 75 percent containment, as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday
  • 1,548 acres
  • Started: Nighthawk Lane, southwest of Rancho Bernardo
     

Meanwhile:

All San Diego Superior Courthouses are open

UC San Diego campus is not in immediate danger and remains open. Classes will continue as scheduled.

UC San Diego Health System hospitals and clinics also remain open

Palomar Medical Center – 2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido
All hospital and emergency services are fully operational. All elective surgeries have been cancelled for today. Inpatient surgeries will continue as scheduled, or as needed.

Palomar Health Downtown Campus – 555 East Valley Parkway, Escondido
All hospital and stand-by emergency services are fully operational. All elective surgeries have been cancelled for today. Inpatient surgeries will continue as scheduled, or as needed.

Pomerado Hospital – 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway
All hospital and emergency services are fully operational.

Expresscare Health Clinic San Elijo Hills – 1571 San Elijo Road South, San Marcos
This location will be closed today and Friday, May 16. All other expresscare health clinic locations are fully operational (Rancho Penasquitos, Escondido, Temecula).

Palomar Health at San Marcos – 120 Craven Road, San Marcos
This location will be closed today and Friday, May 16. Palomar Health services in this facility include rehabilitation, wound care, diabetes health and corporate health..

Kaiser Permanente’s San Marcos location will remain closed all day Thursday. Members who have appointments will be contacted by a Kaiser representative to reschedule. For information, patients can call (619) 662-5656. All other Kaiser Permanente facilities in San Diego are open until further notice.

Residents who evacuated with large animals can take them to Cloverdale Ranch, 2460 Cloverdale Road, in Escondido. Warner Ranch in Pala and Oceanside Ivy Ranch have closed after receiving no animals.

Resources are available to all residents who may need recovery information through the County’s recovery website at sdcountyrecovery.com.

Residents in need of information can call 211

Refresh this page for updates. NBC 7 News crews are working continuously to bring you updated information as soon as we get it.

Special Section: San Diego's May Firestorm



Photo Credit: AP

Investigators Probe Fires' Origins

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After nine separate fires sparked in widely different locations and times around the county, questions are being raised about what caused the brush fires that burned more than 9,000 acres around San Diego this week.

The news of additional brush fires in North County was a bewildering experience to wake up to on Wednesday for residents already concerned about the status of the Bernardo Fire, which sparked on Tuesday and burned hundreds of acres but, improbably, no homes. That good news, and still more about firefighters having contained 25 percent of that blaze, soon gave way upon learning of fires in Carlsbad, Bonsall/Fallbrook and on Camp Pendleton. As the day progressed, officials announced that a small fire had started in Escondido, then another in Scripps Ranch. Thankfully, both of those were quickly extinguished. 

If residents didn’t have suspicions already, San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn raised the spectre of an arsonist at work while delivering a statement at a news conference on Wednesday evening  in Carlsbad.

"I question whether or not six fires haven’t been set by somebody – that’s just my thought, but I’ve never seen anything like this in 20 years, and I’ve had one or two fires but never anything like this," Horn said.

Shortly after, Horn was asked to follow up on his statement.

"I’ve been through the Witch Creek Fire … the Cedar Fire," Horn said. "Those were big fires, but they were all connected. If you notice, all these are separate [pointing]. First we started with this one [pointing], then we went to Camp Pendleton – it didn’t start in the middle of the base; it started at the ammo dump on the Fallbrook side. And then we went to the freeway fire, and that’s where [state Route 76] and [Interstate] 15 come together.… I guess we now have [a fire near Lakeside]. So that brings us to [seven]. So that’s an issue for me."

However, Horn soon added that his speculation was just that.

"I have no evidence," Horn said. "I’ve been on this fire all day, I’ve been in Fallbrook and I’ve been in San Marcos, so that is the extent. I’m just telling you what I’m thinking."

Horn was not alone in his conjecture, however, and by Thursday morning, the Carlsbad Police Department had set up a hotline for tips on what is now being called the Poinsettia Fire, which charred 400 acres, and destroyed four homes and a condominium complex made up of 18 units. Anybody with information about suspicious activity was being urged to call 760-602-7599 or email PoinsettiaFire@carlsbadca.gov.

By Thursday morning, suspicions may have spiked for some, coming on the news of additional fires in Oceanside in Lakeside, and a very destructive blaze in San Marcos that destroyed three homes and burned 800 acres. However, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore, a fixture at news conferences since Tuesday, reminded residents that there could be other, less nefarious reasons for all the fires.
 
"I don’t want to pre-judge anything -- investigations will be done between fire and our bomb-arson squad into the origin of every fire," Gore told the media. "We just don’t know at this time, and I think it would be just pure speculation. Sure, we had a lot of fires, but you have to look at the conditions we’re in. The grass out there is nothing but kindling for these fires, and we had winds, you know, very high speeds. It only takes -- I was told by CalFire -- a few hundred degrees to ignite that grass. Catalytic converters, when sparks come off of that, or pieces come out, we're talking 2,500 or 3,000 degrees. So, I say: We’ll do thorough investigations of each and every fire, and find out its origin, but to comment before that investigation is done would be premature."
 
Jeff Carle, a retired assistant chief with the San Diego Fire Department, spent 20 years investigating suspicious fires. He told NBC 7 on Thursday that he thought it was possible that an arsonist may be responsible for at least some of them.
 
"I think it’s a very good chance it’s arson," Carle said. "But you have to have a very deliberate process [to determine] that it was, in fact, arson."
 
That process requires a very thorough probe, Carle said, stressing that investigators can’t jump to conclusions. Still, Carle thinks there are good reasons to investigate.
 
"There’s a high likelihood it’s arson, based on time of day, temperatures and the locations of fires in Carlsbad," Carle told NBC 7.
  
Carle said that no one, including Horn, should jump to any conclusions about the cause of those fires and whether it was arson. While Carle said that "fires don’t just start by magic, no matter how hot it is," he stressed that it was too early to make any statements about the cause of the fires and that he thought it was premature for Horn to comment and smart for Gore to jump in and temper Horn’s comments about the suspicion of arson.
 
Near the end of Thursday's news conference, Gore said there was no substitute for vigilance by county deputies and residents.
 
"Everybody, obviously, is aware of what’s going on in San Diego County, including our deputies, who, during routine patrols would be vigilant to see any suspicious activity," Gore said. "Plus, anything that’s been reported to us by citizens who see anything will be immediately followed up on."

On Thursday afternoon, Escondido police officers detained a possible arson suspect for questioning after reports of "suspicious behavior."

However, that person was released after questioning and did not appear to have any connection to the fires, officials said.

Defensible Space Saved Homes in San Diego Firestorm

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Father and son Wayne and Dan Veres watched from Palomar Medical Center as the smoke from the Cocos Fire surrounded their Harmony Grove home.

"I grew up there. I help build it. I don't want to lose it," son Dan Veres said.

The two evacuated voluntarily Wednesday afternoon when they saw the sun disappear in a cloud of smoke.

While they have never experienced anything like this Wayne says he received wildfire training for homeowners from San Marcos fire Department, and took precautions.

He cleared some 300 feet of brush from the front and 150 feet around the rest of his home.

Before leaving he charged both fire hoses, filled a wading pool with water and removed all flammables from the yard.

Defensible space is a proven way to save lives and property.

Aerial photography of the Cocos Fire, shows several homeowners who took that safety tip seriously
and are happy they did.

"We did everything we thought was right. Let's hope it works," Wayne said.
 


Part of I-805 Shut Down Due to Fire

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A small brush fire sparked near National City Thursday evening, just minutes after a countywide red flag warning expired.

The blaze began around 5:15 p.m. off Interstate 805, near the 1400 block of South 45th Street.

San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said it burned about one acre off the side of the freeway. Black smoke could be seen for miles, as reported by residents and commuters in the area. It wafted into downtown San Diego.

Crews have responded to fires in that area before, so they knew dry bamboo there would add fuel to the fire. 

Officials placed firefighters at 45th and 43rd streets to pinch the fire off on both sides. Embers did cause a flare-up on the other side of the freeway, but crews doused it quickly.

No structures were threatened.

However, the fire did impact the freeway.

Officials shut down the right lane of southbound I-805 at 43rd and 47th streets in National City. The Palm Avenue exit was also closed, so traffic was backed up to Sorrento Valley as a result.

San Diego had been under a red flag warning through 5 p.m. as firefighters continued to battle several wildfires that destroyed homes and forced evacuations across the county.

Get complete coverage of San Diego's May Firestorm here.
 



Photo Credit: Cynthia Torres

Chocolate Milk Banned in Schools?

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Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy will not sign a bill to ban chocolate milk from school lunchrooms statewide. 

As the legislative session wrapped up on Wednesday, state lawmakers passed legislation that would have made revisions to the education statutes to comply with new federal school lunch standards on sodium. The amendment would have eliminated chocolate milk from schools.

But critics warned that banning chocolate milk could change kids' lunchtime habits for the worse.

“This specific bill has not yet come to the Governor’s desk and will be reviewed in detail when it arrives. However, on the broader topic at hand, the Governor is not supportive of banning chocolate milk in public schools," Andrew Doba, Malloy's communication director, said in an e-mailed statement. "While we must be extremely mindful of the nutritional value of what’s offered to students, ensuring an appropriate array of options helps to ensure that kids receive the calcium and other nutrients they need.”

Lonnie Burt, the chief nutritionist of Hartford Public Schools, had concerns about the impact this legislation would have on children’s nutrition. Chocolate milk provides calcium, vitamin A, potassium and other nutrients, she said.

“What concerns me is that if chocolate milk is not one of the available options, then I believe students will decrease consumption of milk overall,” Burt said.

The American Heart Association seems to agree and said the nutritional value of milk, even flavored milk, outweighs concerns about the amount of sodium in diets.

At the Environmental Sciences Magnet School in Hartford, chocolate milk is popular, and students don’t like the idea of getting rid of it. 

“Everyone likes it. The majority of the school wants it, and not many people like regular milk,” seventh-grader Maddy Lanzi said.
 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Comforting Children When Fires Approach

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Whether the flames are coming up the canyon behind your back yard or the smoke is miles away, child therapist Debra Jedeikin says children are affected by the fires. 

They may feel anxious and insecure as they hear their parents talk about the fires or watch TV coverage, she says.  Those children may not express their fears to you, but it could be acted out by them withdrawing, being agressive, disobedient or whining. 

Jedeikin says it is important for parents to understand their children's feelings and stay calm and supportive.

The licensed therapist has these suggestions to ease your children's potential distress:

- Keep them close

- Provide active support and encourage children to express their feelings

- Dedicate time to talk to them

- Keep them away from media images which may instill fear

- Allow them to play and do artwork

- Play soothing music

- Reassure them it is your job to take care of them and they don't need to worry



Photo Credit: Edgar Herrera

Dead Fish Wash Up on Jersey Shore

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Authorities are scrambling to clean up thousands of dead fish washing up on the Jersey Shore before crowds flock to the beaches amid sunny weather this weekend.
 
Dead fish were first spotted in the Shark River early Monday, and have now washed through an inlet into the ocean and onto beaches. The fish, believed to be moss bunker, are spread for about 3 miles along the shore, from Belmar down to Spring Lake.
 
Prisoners from the Monmouth County Jail have been brought in to help pick up the fish in Neptune Township, where more than 5 tons have been found dead this week alone.

State environmental officials say there is no indication of disease, and that the fish, which normally produce in large numbers and consume a lot of oxygen, simply overproduced.

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty says crews will be patrolling the beaches this weekend to clear any dead fish out of the way of beachgoers.

--Brian Thompson contributed to this story

 

 



Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

Hate-Crime Charge in Walmart Attack

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A horrific crime is now being called a hate crime.

Prosecutors say a transient woman accused of attacking a 4-year-old girl and her father inside a San Jose Walmart store targeted her victims because they were of Asian origin.

Maria Garate, a 20-year-old transient, was charged on Thursday with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, both with hate crime allegations. She appeared briefly in a Santa Clara County courtroom with a public defender, but did not enter a plea.

"This was every parent's worst nightmare,” deputy district attorney Kalila Spain said at a news conference outside the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

Garate is being held without bail. The attempted murder charge could come with a life sentence.

At about 11 a.m. Tuesday, San Jose police were informed of an assault with a deadly weapon at the Walmart on Story Road.

A woman later identified as Garate allegedly went up to an Asian man who was with his 4-year-old daughter, then struck the girl over the head, police Sgt. Heather Randol said.

Walmart security guards detained Garate until police arrived. Police arrested Garate on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and booked her into county jail.

Spain said that the girl and her father were shopping "like any other day" and "the defendant came in and hit the victim over the head with a lug nut wrench and also attacked the father as well."

The girl was treated for her injuries, which were not considered major.

Spain declined to be specific concerning the evidence the district attorney's office has except that the alleged assault was "a premeditated, willful act" on Garate's part.

Spain, asked by a reporter if Garate may be mentally ill, said that the prosecutors "don't know why people commit the crimes that they do."

"Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't," she said. "There are a variety of defenses for any type of crime that we charge. Any additional information will come out later."

Shoppers at the Walmart store on Story Road told NBC Bay Area on Thursday that they see a lot of homeless people in the area. An encampment nearby is commonly referred to as "the jungle.”

Garate is due back in court on May 23.

No information regarding a defense attorney representing Garate was available Thursday.

 

The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: SJPD

Awning Collapses, Traps People Inside San Marcos

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Part of a building collapsed in San Marcos Thursday, trapping several people inside stores.

An awning came crashing down at a strip mall in the 700 block of Center Drive around 4:30 p.m. Fortunately, no one was underneath it at the time, so there was no injuries.

"I just heard a giant crashing noise, and I thought it was a car wreck or a train wreck because there are tracks down the street here," said witness Todd Meyers, "and I walked over and I saw the roof on the ground, and there was pipes on both ends with water just gushing out, so it was incredible."

A building inspector told NBC 7 that it appears a leaky pipe underneath the awning may be to blame. The weight of the water most likely caused it to collapse. 

One person was trapped inside a Postal Annex when the wood and Spanish tiles fell, and two more could not get out of the GBM Beads store.

"I just wanted to make sure no one was out there, that's all," said Frank Derbin, one of the people caught inside. "I looked out the door and there was water and electricity, so I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

Fire crews had to cut through the debris to get those inside out. Three of the buildings in the strip mall have been red tagged, so they won't be open for the next few days. 

Other stores in the area lost power for a time as well, but it has since been restored.

The location is just north of State Route 78, so it is not related to the Cocos Fire

Check back for details on this breaking news story. 

AA Flight Reports Flames in Engine, Makes Emergency Landing

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American Airlines Flight 2287 made an emergency landing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Thursday afternoon after a report of an engine fire.

The pilot of the Boeing 757 declared an emergency due to flames in the right engine, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Air traffic control noticed the engine fire, immediately.

"Hey American 22-87, your right engine appears to be on fire, sir," could be heard on air traffic control recordings obtained through liveatc.net. "For 22-87, we saw flames on the right side engine, yes, so we saw flames from the right side engine."

The plane circled around the airport and landed around 2:07 p.m., with fire trucks waiting for its arrival. The pilot was able to land without incident.

Breanne Server was on board the flight, seated on the left side of the aircraft.

"We heard a big boom and then the plane was just kind of flying lopsided, and this little girl behind me just started screaming and crying, and everyone was kind of like gasping and pulling out their phones and stuff," Server said. "you just heard the explosion, luckily I didn’t see the flames or smoke, but yeah it was so loud, there was no not hearing it."

"After that it was kind of like OK, well we’ll get you guys a new plane, and that was it, no like sorry this happened or any explanation," said Server.

Flight 2287 is a daily run between DFW and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It leaves DFW at 1:31 and arrives in Tulsa at 2:25 p.m.; it departs Tulsa at 3:17 p.m. and arrives back at DFW at 4:21 p.m.

American Airlines officials would not confirm the fire but said mechanics were looking at the aircraft.

All 183 passengers booked on the flight were being boarded on another aircraft Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, American Airlines Flight 1461 made an emergency landing in Tulsa en route to DFW after the pilot reported mechanical issues. That pilot landed the MD-80 without incident.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

NBC 5's Stefan Gorman, Ray Villeda and Scott Gordon contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

Locked Out of Grocery

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For Quiana McKissick, there’s no such thing as a quick stop at her neighborhood grocery store.

Nearly every time the 38-year-old West Philadelphian, who has limb deformities and uses a motorized wheelchair, tries to shop at The Fresh Grocer at 56th and Chestnut Streets she is forced to wait outside. Not because the store doesn’t have a way for her to get in, but because they keep the accessible entrances padlocked.

"So 98 percent of the time I’m on my own. I have to rely on the kindness of strangers to go and get the guard for me," McKissick said while sitting next to a locked handicapped accessible gate outside the store. "In the meantime, I just have to sit here and look silly, and it’s rather humiliating, really."

The supermarket uses metal poles, anchored into cement, to prevent people from taking carts out into the parking lot, and the two accessible ways through the blockade are chained and kept under lock and key.


PHOTO: Quiana McKissick waits outside the Fresh Grocer in West Philadelphia, which has been locking its handicap accessible door preventing her from entering whenever she wishes.

So no matter the weather, McKissinck says she’s forced to wait outside for a security guard to let her in -- which could range from a minute or so to 10 or more, depending on what the guard is dealing with. When no one is around to help, McKissick said she’s forced to go home empty-handed.

"It’s very degrading. I should be able to come and go as I please,” she said. "I shouldn’t have to stand out here and wait in the cold or rain or in the heat just to get in or out of the store. It’s embarrassing."

McKissick says she’s been dealing with the issue for nearly six years and her complaints have yet to produce a permanent positive change. The woman said several years ago she spoke with a former store manager who said the gates are kept locked to prevent the carts from being stolen.

His solution, she says, was to install a bell outside for her to ring when she wanted to shop.

"He says, ‘Well, we’ll put a bell out there and you can ring the bell.’ And there was a bell there for about two days. That was humiliating," she said.

McKissick says she also contacted the Department of Licenses & Inspections twice about the issue. Both times, she said the problem was immediately addressed. But within a few weeks, she said the gate was again locked up.

“My concern is, what if there’s a fire or something inside of there and everybody is scattering? The guard’s not going to be thinking about me,” the woman said.


PHOTO: A view of the Fresh Grocer Store at 56th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.

The supermarket’s current manager, Jeff Beaky, declined to comment and referred the issue to the chain’s corporate office. The store is one of seven locally-owned supermarkets that operate as part of the Wakefern Corporation grocery store co-op. The organization runs Fresh Grocer and ShopRite stores.

Carly Spross, spokeswoman for the local supermarket group, was shocked to hear about the issues McKissick has been encountering and said the gate is only supposed to be locked while the store is closed.

“I feel terrible that it’s gone unnoticed,” she said. “Per our standard operating procedures, the handicap access gate is to be locked each night after closing and unlocked each morning upon the store’s opening.”

Spross apologized, saying managers are reviewing opening and closing procedures with all store employees to ensure the issue is resolved.

Ralph DiPietro, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Licenses & Inspections, said the department is investigating whether the building code at the time the grocery store was opened requires the gate to be accessible. If that is the case, DiPietro said an inspector will be dispatched to the store to investigate and, if needed, issue a violation.

Asked about whether L&I would enforce compliance of the Americans With Disabilities Act, DiPietro said the city cannot directly enforce the law because it's federal legislation. However, building codes recognized by the city do mimic the federal law.

So why does McKissick continue to shop at the store that makes it so difficult for her to shop?

“I shouldn’t have to go out of my way just to get the things that I need, if this is the closest one to my home. Why should I have to travel?” she said.


Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Woman's Dead Body Found in El Cajon Home

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A 59-year-old woman was found dead in an El Cajon residence from an apparent stab wound late Wednesday evening, and El Cajon police are seeking the public’s assistance in determining what happened.

According to police, just after 11:30 p.m., officers and Heartland Fire Paramedics responded to a 911 call of a possible stabbing at a home in the 800 block of Friendly Circle in El Cajon.

Arriving officers entered the residence and discovered the dead body of a woman who had suffered a stab wound, police said. Officials believed the woman died from injuries related to the stabbing.

The victim’s identity was withheld pending notification of her family members.

Officials have yet to release any information regarding a suspect.

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact El Cajon Police at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
 

Officer-Involved Shooting Reported in El Cajon

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A 34-year-old man was shot at by El Cajon police officers after pointing his gun at them outside an El Cajon residence on Thursday morning, according to police officials.

Lt. Tim Henton of El Cajon police reported that officers responded to a home in the 900 block of Ellen Lane at about 6:52 a.m.

According to Henton, police received a 911 call from a woman claiming that her estranged husband, identified as Jose Albert Garcia, was at her front door armed with a gun and demanding she give him their two children.

Arriving officers found Garcia in the driveway. Henton said Garcia was uncooperative and refused to follow orders the officers were giving him.

According to Henton, Garcia showed officers that he was carrying a gun in his waistband, before drawing the gun.

Trained negotiators were said to be at the scene attempting to negotiate with Garcia for 90 minutes.

As the standoff between officers and Garcia continued, Henton said Garcia threatened himself with the gun he was carrying and began waving the weapon around.

Henton reported that officers attempeted to subdue Garcia with less-lethal beanbag rounds, but they had no effect on him.

At some point, Garcia pointed the gun he was carrying at officers and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned and did not fire, according to Henton.

Henton added that officers continued to order Garcia to stop pointing the gun at them. However, according to Henton, Garcia racked the gun and pointed it once more at officers.

It was then that officers fired their weapons at Garcia, striking him in the chest, Henton said.

Garcia was then taken into custody and transported to an area hospital where he was scheduled to undergo surgery due to his injuries. His condition was not immediately known.

The officers involved in the shooting have been working as police officers for seven, 13, and 19 years, according to police.

Garcia faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

An investigation into the incident was on-going, Henton said.



Photo Credit: NBC San Diego

Donald Sterling Refuses to Pay $2.5M Fine: Report

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Donald Sterling is refusing to pay a $2.5 million fine the NBA handed down in response to racist comments made by long-time Los Angeles Clippers owner, according to published reports.

NBC4 has reached out to the NBA, but the league, which has also banned Sterling for life and is trying to force a sale of his team, would not comment on the reports by USA Today and several other publications. A league spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Los Angeles Times the league had received the letter.

NBC4 has not received a response after attempts to contact Sterling's attorney.

Sterling's attorney wrote a letter to the NBA informing the league of the decision, according a report citing a "person with first-hand knowledge of the letter" who requested anonymity. The fine, announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver April 29, violates Sterling's due process rights, the letter states, according to the report.

The deadline for paying the fine was earlier this week. The letter was sent Thursday, according to USA Today.

The letter also indicated Sterling will sue if he is not afforded due process, according to the reports.

Silver has urged the NBA's other 29 owners to back a move to oust Sterling, 80, as team owner. Sterling has owned the Clippers since 1981 and is the league's longest-tenured team owner.

The fine and ban were issued in response to racist comments made by Sterling during a recorded conversation with a companion, whom he chastises for posting Instagram pictures of herself posing with black people, including Lakers legend Magic Johnson. He also can be heard telling the woman not to bring Johnson to Clippers games.

The recording was posted on TMZ.com late last month, prompting an NBA investigation that determined Sterling made the comments.

His termination would require a three-fourths vote by NBA owners. The process so far has included a series of meetings by the league's 10-member finance/advisory committee to discuss the timeline and process for removal.

The NBA Constitution and bylaws guide the process by which ownership is terminated. It gives owners and the commissioner broad powers regarding team ownership termination when the owner's actions affect the "Association or its members adversely."

The comments drew threats of an NBA boycott, sponsorship withdrawals and backlash from current and former players.

Sterling's estranged wife, Rochelle Sterling, has said she plans to fight for her stake in the team. The NBA released a statement last week that said if a controlling owner's interest is terminated by a three-fourths vote of the other league owners, "all other team owners' interests are automatically terminated as well. It doesn't matter whether the owners are related as is the case here.  These are the rules to which all NBA owners agreed to as a condition of owning their team."

The Clippers' most successful season in team history came to an end Thursday night with a loss to Oklahoma City in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.



Photo Credit: Getty

Heat Breaks Records in San Diego

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NBC 7's Lauren Lee reports from Mountain Hawk Park in Eastlake where kids and parents were trying to escape the extreme heat Thursday.
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