Chris Monahan feels like one of the lucky ones. His car was damaged, his lawn furniture melted and his home smells like smoke, but at least he has a home to go back to. Some of his Carlsbad neighbors aren’t so fortunate. But Chris still needs help to bounce back.
“They’re telling us that there is a limited amount of resources,” said Monahan.
He’s seen contractors driving through his neighborhood looking for work but he says he’s afraid to hire someone he doesn’t know.
“You hear that contractors come, start and don’t finish,” said Monahan.
Sheryl Reichert with the San Diego Better Business Bureau warns fire victims to be cautious when hiring a contractor.
“There are unsavory people out there knocking on doors of the victims,” said Reichert.
After the 2003 and 2007 fires, Reichert says out-of-state contractors took money for work they often never completed. She says victims need to take their time when making a decision to rebuild.
“People doing really quality work in San Diego don’t need to go door-to-door to get business,” said Reichert.
It takes more than a friendly face and business card to complete the work. People impacted by the fire should ask for a contractor’s license and check it out. They should ask for references and examples of previous work. They should also be skeptical of anyone who says they have to commit to the work now or wait months. If you feel pressured, walk away.
“Make sure you are hiring a quality individual that is going to do the work that you want,” said Reichert.
One way to find a contractor is to ask friends. You can also ask contractors who did successful work in the past. A good plumber often knows a good electrician, that electrician may know a good general contractor. It is best to find your own licensed contractor rather than choose one that knocks on your door.
After fires like this, victims are also approached by independent adjusters.
These are people who work as a go-between or a middle man between you and your insurance company. In California they are required to have a license. You don’t necessarily need an independent adjusters but if you feel like your insurance company is treating you unfairly it is an option.
But like shopping for a contractor, you should search out an adjuster rather than choose one walking through your neighborhood.
As I Lay Dying frontman, Tim Lambesis, was sentenced to six years in prison without probation today in a San Diego Superior courtroom for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot directed at his then-wife, Meggan. The sentencing also prohibited contact with his two children and his ex-wife until May 2024.
The courtroom was wrought with drama, as character witnesses -- including his ex-wife, Meggan Murphy -- took to the stand to appeal to the judge to hand down the maximum sentence.
"My name used to be Meggan Lambesis. And up until two years ago, my heart was entirely devoted to him," Murphy began. "I trusted him with everything, including my life ... When the one person who you've been most vulnerable with and the most intimate with; who you've entrusted with every aspect of your life; who has not only desired but planned your murder -- you're left feeling completely exposed and unprotected. Who can I trust now? How can I feel safe?"
Murphy's mother also spoke out against Lambesis before his sentencing. "On [this past Mother's Day], I felt deep gratitude for the life of Meggan and my two sons," she said. "But was reminded again fo the unspeakable pain and loss that our family narrowly missed. There was the feeling of utter despair at the thought of having a daughter murdered, coupled with the unbearable realization that our grandchildren would have lost a mother for a second time. For me, Mother's Day will no longer be a carefree time slowly filled with lighthearted joy but will be a day that serves as a reminder that our world has forever changed with uncertainty and underlying fear because of Tim Lambesis."
The sentiment was echoed by his ex-wife: "The question of who Tim talked to or will talk to will forever haunt me. The scariest thing is Tim's notoriety. He has followers that will do anything for him. It's terrifying to think there are people out there motivated to kill me on his behalf."
She then produced a long list of vicious twitter posts directed at her from As I Lay Dying's fans.
"I'm begging you today to free us from this man who wants to end my life and orphan my children," she continued. "I'm begging you for safety and peace of mind. I do not believe Tim has changed since his arrest. In fact, he has persisted in bullying me through his lawyer's request that I do not speak in court today ... The one thing I know about Tim is that he is persistent and will not take 'no' for an answer. He will not rest until he knows he has won. I'm asking you to give him the maximum sentence in prison, as well as a lifetime restraining order from myself and my children."
Today's sentencing effectively completed the shocking fall from grace for the charismatic singer who, until his arrest in May 2013, enjoyed a successful and lucrative musical career with the locally based heavy metal band. When news of his arrest broke, it perplexed members of the local music community, including SoundDiego contributor Tim Pyles of FM 94/9.
A Maryland dad is facing manslaughter charges after police say he gave his 3-year-old son a fatal cocktail of drugs, including cocaine.
Thomas E. Holland, 38, drove his unresponsive son to the United Medical Center in southeast Washington in January, police said. Officers were called to the hospital when the boy passed away, and a death investigation was launched.
A toxicology report revealed a number of drugs in the child's system, including toxic levels of of cocaine, acetaminophen and codeine.
The amount of drugs in the boy's system would have killed him within four hours, according to court documents. Police say he could not have accidentally swallowed them.
"The investigators and the medical examiner feel very strongly there's no way this child accidentally ingested this collection of drugs all together," said Bill Alexander of Prince George's County Police.
Holland had a court-ordered visit with his 3-year-old just before the boy's hospital visit. News4's Pat Collins spoke to the boy's great-grandparent Maurice Gaither.
"It's the most horrific and the most terrible thing I've ever experienced," Gaither said.
Holland was taken into custody May 15 and remains behind bars, facing manslaughter and child abuse charges.
A lawyer for Holland was not available for comment.
As wildfires ravaged San Diego County, the U.S. military stepped in, offering man power and equipment in the fight against the fires.
On Friday the military had 19 helicopters ready to attack several fires. The mission: to provide a strong defense against stubborn wildfires. And, for many of the Marines aiding the effort, it's personal.
A closer look reveals what a water drop looks like from inside a military helicopter that can unleash 900 gallons of water on a wildfire when they get the call.
The crew inside is just back from Afghanistan. Col. Will Hooper with 3rd Aircraft Wing Operations said that when it comes to fighting fires here, his crew is well prepared.
“Trust me the conditions in Afghanistan were quite remarkably difficult,” he said.
Hooper sits in the command center with Cal Fire at Camp Pendleton and gives the order to use these helicopters at their request.
But there are considerations when these birds fly.
There must be enough airspace for these helicopters – the CH 53 Echo, the UH 1 Yankee Super Huey and the CH46 Sea Knight – to maneuver safely with other air assets. And the right wind conditions to allow drops as heavy as 7,500 pounds.
“So we can avoid hurting anybody or damage anything with our drops,” explained Sgt. Tim Eboch, part of the helicopter crew.
Of course, smoke reduces visibility, something you need when you are fighting fires in a mountainous area.
“The weather inside the fire can be a little dicey,” explained Marine Pilot Capt. Matt Recker.
Recker grew up in Fallbrook.
He says this fire fight is personal as fire over took his community years ago.
“A lot of my neighbors’ homes burned down in 2002,” he recalled.
Recker more than understands the value of this Cal Fire and U.S. military partnership.
“Now seeing not only how far the military and Cal Fire has come but to be the guy to get that phone call is pretty amazing,” he said.
Because for the military this is more than using their firefighting capability, this is about protecting their community.
“When we’re out there fighting these fires, we’re not just fighting for San Diego County, we’re fighting for our neighbors, our friends, our families,” added Hooper.
All week, San Diego firefighters, law enforcement, city officials, leaders and residents have come together in the face of the fires consuming the county. That sense of unity extended to a furry, frightened feline caught in the Cocos Fire zone, in need of rescuing.
On Friday, two animal control officers from the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services showed kindness to a scared cat stuck in a tree in a San Marcos neighborhood.
The officers – Jennifer Jordan and Victor Posada – spotted the animal high up in a tree amid the destruction. They stopped to ensure the animal’s safety in a rescue captured by NBC 7 cameras.
It wasn’t easy, of course, because the cat didn’t immediately run into their arms. After some coaxing, the kitty allowed the rescue and was brought down to safety.
Daniel E. DeSousa, Deputy Director with the Department of Animal Services, said animal control officers have been assisting in the fire zone since the Bernardo Fire and have rescued many nervous animals.
This is an example of one of the many acts of kindness to come out of the fires in San Diego, which have united total strangers in trying times.
Editor's Note: Initially, our story reported that firefighters rescued this cat, not animal control. The department has since clarified this for us. We regret the error.
A brush fire that sparked in Sycamore Canyon Saturday morning, north of Santee Lakes and on the edge of East Miramar, is now fully contained, Cal Fire officials confirmed Saturday evening.
Heartland Fire & Rescue said the blaze, one of many ravaging San Diego County this week, began around 8:20 a.m. in heavy vegetation northwest of Santee Lakes Boulevard and appeared to be moving northwest as of 9:30 a.m., officials said.
By 10:15 a.m., it had scorched approximately 15 to 30 acres, but the forward rate of spread had stopped, Kendal Bortisser of Cal Fire confirmed. He said no structures were threatened.
Several strike teams, fire engines and air support crews were called in to tackle the fire. Firefighting units from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Fire Department also assisted.
Smoke could be seen off State Route 52 and State Route 125, as well as surrounding streets like Strathmore.
Still, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said crews appeared to have a solid handle on the fire and no evacuations had been ordered.
At 1:30 p.m., officials gave an update and said the fire had been held to about 15 acres and 100 percent containment was expected by 4 p.m. Fire units remained on scene mopping up hot spots and monitoring the area for possible flare-ups.
By 4:50 p.m., Cal Fire officials confirmed the blaze was 100 percent contained.
Several people helped save a 6-year-old girl after she fell into the Anacostia River Friday afternoon.
The region saw a month's worth of rain fall within a 24 hour period this week, causing choppy conditions along the river in Riverdale Park.
The girl was playing with friends by the northeast branch of the river just after 6 p.m. out of her mom's sight. She got down on the ground by the rocks, then slipped and fell into the water.
Hilda Navarro was with her young son at the time, spotted the girl fall in and immediately screamed for help.
A man riding his bike attempted to help, but cut his hand on the rocks by the river, so he and Navarro continued yelling for help.
Jason Torres was driving by the river at the time when he heard the screams. Torres told News4 he didn't think -- he said he just jumped in and grabbed the girl, who was unconscious.
"He jumped in and grabbed her, I told him to bring her over because I know CPR," Navarro explained. "So I gave her CPR and she started throwing up all that water that she drank, and then she started screaming [for her mom]."
The girl was sitting up and alert by the time Prince George's County emergency crews arrived.
"A citizen out of the goodness in his heart decides to step up and basically tries to save a young girl's life," Capt. Roland Berg with Prince George's County Fire and EMS said. "She could have been swept downstream much further than she [was]."
The girl was taken to a hospital as a precaution and should be okay. Officials are warning residents around the region, long after the rain has passed, river levels continue to rise and cause a safety risk.
A family in Carlsbad that lost their dream home in the fires this week found something in the rubble that they never expected: a letter of hope left by a total stranger encouraging the family not to give up and to rise from the ashes.
The piece of paper – 189 words signed only with the letters “GB” – was anonymously left behind, taped to a shovel standing in the charred front yard of a home reduced to rubble.
“We cannot escape the tragedies that arise in our lives,” the letter begins.
The words that follow get more poignant with each sentence.
That simple letter, left in the wake of so much destruction, meant the world to the owner of that home, Bob Payne, and his family.
His daughter, Anya Bannish, was so emotional upon seeing the note she had trouble reading it out loud.
"Somebody left this beautiful letter. I don't know if I can read this. It makes me so – there are so many amazing people out there that help," Bannish told NBC 7.
Bannish’s wedding reception was held at her parents’ home less than a week ago. Now, her parents’ dream house is gone.
Though the loss is unbelievably difficult, Payne said he’s grateful his family evacuated in time.
“This is all stuff, even though it was a lot of stuff, but it's just stuff. We'll get it back," he said.
Payne is also grateful for the words left behind by a stranger.
“It made you just tear up, it was just so well written,” he said. “[It] gives you hope.”
Words left by one person, but that speak for so many more.
The anonymous letter has also deeply resonated with neighbors returning to the scorched area.
“I don’t know who left it, but that sums up everything that has happened,” said one resident.
The words seem appropriate for residents just over the hill in San Marcos as well for an entire county still tallying the damage from nine fires.
Bannish said the note puts everything into perspective.
“There are some parts that are good, you know, to know that there are such good people out there and to know that we have such amazing friends and amazing family," she said, holding back tears.
Here’s full letter, left by “GB”:
We cannot escape the tragedies that arise in our lives. We can search for a reason and ask – why? Maybe we could hold others at fault or imagine what life would be had this not happened, but perhaps what defines our character is not our struggles but how well we meet them and rise up after getting knocked down.
Faith will overcome fears, doubt and insecurities. Sometimes in life we don't recognize how strong we actually are until we are faced with a great tragedy in our life. This calamity we face today will help develop the strength and fortitude we need for tomorrow.
Losing everything we own is sad, but the things we own do not diminish who we are inside. Sometimes the worst situation brings out the best in us and others.
When you put together a jigsaw puzzle made of hundreds of pieces, you put it together one piece at a time. No one can go back and change what has happened, but we can all start today and make a new tomorrow, one shovel at a time, one day at a time.
GB
An Illinois resident who had contact with an Indiana MERS patient has tested positive for the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Local health officials said the Illinois resident did not seek or require medical care, showing no signs of the virus, but his health has been monitored and he is said to be feeling well, the CDC reports.
This marks the third confirmed case of the virus in the United States, after a second case was reported in Florida earlier this week.
The first reported case of the deadly respiratory virus known as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) in the United States was discovered earlier this month after an American working as a health care worker in Saudi Arabia flew into the U.S. through Chicago.
The patient, who was treated at Community Hospital in Munster, Ind., has since been released from the hospital and is said to be doing well, officials said.
Officials are now investigating after evidence shows a MERS infection in an Illinois man who had close contact with the Indiana patient.
The Illinois resident does not have any recent history of travel outside of the United States, but met with the Indiana patient on two occasions shortly before the patient was identified as having MERS.
Officials said the patient shook hands with the Indiana man and later reported having minor cold-like symptoms.
As part of their follow-up investigation, a local health department contacted the Illinois resident, who tested negative for the virus on May 5. On Friday, however, the test result came back positive.
“The risk to the general public still remains low,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “It was out of an abundance of caution that we conducted rigorous follow-up with this individual and have identified this person to have been infected with MERS-CoV at one time. Previous MERS-CoV illnesses have not shown to be spread easily from person-to-person in communities. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), working with our local health departments, will remain vigilant for any new MERS-CoV infections and we are prepared with surveillance, guidance and testing to handle any additional infections.”
Public health officials are still working to collect blood samples from people who were identified as close contacts of the Indiana patient, according to the CDC, and efforts are under way to identify, notify, test, and monitor close contacts of the Illinois resident.
CDC officials explained that these laboratory test results are preliminary and suggest that the Illinois resident probably got the virus from the Indiana patient and the person's body developed antibodies to fight the virus.
"This latest development does not change CDC's current recommendations to prevent the spread of MERS," said David Swerdlow, M.D., who is leading the CDC's MERS-CoV response. "It's possible that as the investigation continues others may also test positive for MERS-CoV infection but not get sick. Along with state and local health experts, CDC will investigate those initial cases and if new information is learned that requires us to change our prevention recommendations, we can do so."
A sculpture inherited by two Virginia sisters from their grandfather was sold for more than $300,000 in an auction on Saturday.
The sisters were initially told the statue, called “Despair,” by renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin, was probably worth around $1,500.
A Falls Church gallery was able to authenticate the signature of Rodin featured on the base and on the underside of the bronze figure.
An auctioneer at the gallery thought it could fetch about $135,000.
The final sale price was $306,800 paid by a phone bidder from Germany. The two sisters from McLean and Alexandria inherited the statue from their grandfather.
A woman was rescued after being trapped when two boats caught fire in the Baltimore Inner Harbor Saturday afternoon.
Baltimore Fire Department Captain Roman Clark said crew responded to a call shortly before 1 p.m. They found two badly burned boats in the Inner Harbor water off Aliceanna Street.
Clark said a woman was trapped on one of the boats below deck. She was rescued and transported to Bayview Hospital with serious, but not life threatening injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage is estimated to be $100,000.
County officials opened up a recovery center on Saturday to assist any resident whose home was damaged by the Cocos Fire.
As the stubborn Cocos Fire crept into neighborhoods and destroyed homes in its path, residents gathered their belongings and evacuated their streets, full of concern over what might happen to their homes.
“I literally had 10 minutes and an officer came by and said, ‘You have to be out, now,’” said Alessandra Deernick, a San Marcos resident forced to evacuate as the fire crept over a ridge right above her home.
Deernick said she and her family grabbed priceless pictures as they hurried to leave, realizing those photos are priceless snapshots of their lives.
Likewise, San Elijo evacuee Suzanne Beyerlein also packed up family keepsakes, including items from when her kids were babies.
“These are their first toys, their first letters,” said Beyerlein, sifting through a plastic box packed tightly into the trunk of her car.
For Beyerlein, the evacuation order in her neighborhood was lifted Friday and she was able to return home and unpack her belongings. Beyerlein was away from home for two days, with little information about the fate of her house.
“It was hard being away and not knowing what was happening,” said Beyerlein.
Beyerlein said her worst fear as she drove away from her neighborhood was the thought of losing her house. Still, she had her most precious belongings in tow.
“At the same time you’re thinking, ‘My family is with me, everybody is safe, all my friends are out.’ That’s all that matters.”
Meanwhile, another resident recalled how his wife saved their pet cat as the flames got closer to their home.
“My wife came in that night, when the fire was already he,” he recalled, fighting back tears. “My neighbor sent a picture and the fire was already to the door and she still went in. I’m glad. Ultimately, it probably would’ve been okay, but for her to risk her life to do it…”
Altogether, what sparked Wednesday as a small brush fire on a hillside behind Cal State University San Marcos exploded into a 2,520-acre wildfire that reduced homes to rubble and forced thousands to evacuate.
Though the damage is still under assessment, by Thursday night, the county confirmed that at least 11 single-family homes, along with 25 structures at the Harmony Grove Spiritualist Association were destroyed in the blaze.
By Saturday morning – with more favorable weather conditions in San Diego County – the Cocos Fire appeared to pose much less of a threat than in days prior.
As of 9:30 a.m., Cal Fire officials said it was 70 percent contained, with full containment expected by Sunday. At this point, officials said the fire activity is "limited to smoldering areas within the perimeter."
Though some evacuated residents have been allowed to return home, other evacuation orders remain in place. This includes Questhaven south of Elfin Forest through Harmony Grove and the area east of Twin Oaks Valley Road along Barham Drive and south into the Coronado Hills community.
Also still closed as of Saturday morning are the communities of Hidden Hills and Live Oak. Country Club Road from Hill Valley to Harmony Grove Road and Kauana Loa to Harmony Grove. Harmony Grove will remain closed at Country Club Drive.
Officials said the shelter at Mission Hills High School at 1 Mission Hills Court in San Marcos remains open to serve evacuees.
For those who were allowed to return home, including Deernick, much of the worry has subsided.
“It’s wonderful, knowing that you’re safe and knowing [your house] is still here,” she added.
Police arrested a looting suspect in a west Escondido neighborhood, where home owners were evacuated as flames approached their homes.
Brandon Gunn, 29, was found outside an empty home, in his car.
San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told NBC 7 that her officers, who were assisting Escondido Police, though Gunn’s presence in the deserted neighborhood was suspicious.
Chief Zimmerman said officers questioned Gunn, and realized he had no legitimate business in that area.
They also checked his arrest record, and found he criminal history that include at least one theft conviction, and an outstanding warrant.
Public records confirm Gunn was arrested on charges related to petty theft and driving without a license.
He’s being held on $75,000 bail, in the Vista jail.
If Gunn is charged and convicted of looting-related crimes, he faces additional years in state prison, because those crimes were committed during a government-declared “state of emergency” that covers the wild-fire zones.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis also revealed that a third arson suspect is also in custody.
Dumanis told reporters that Alberto Serrato, 57, was allegedly seen adding dry brush to a small fire in the San Luis Rey river bed, in Oceanside.
That fire is not one of the large wild-fires that have swept through the county this week, but Serrato is still charged with a felony, for allegedly committing arson on a forest land.
Jail records show that Serrato was arrested Wednesday night by Oceanside police, and is now at the Vista jail, on $75,000 bail.
Nearly 118 years of history in one Escondido community was destroyed this week as one of several fires burning across San Diego ravaged the area.
Several ranch homes outside the camp's perimeter along South Country Club Drive are also total losses, the members of the association told NBC 7.
The latest on the San Diego fires as of Saturday, May 17, 2014.
In the Cocos Fire - San Marcos, Escondido:
In the Tomahawk, Pulgas, Combat Fires - Camp Pendleton:
Las Pulgas Fire:
Tomahawk Fire:
San Mateo Fire (formerly Combat Fire and Talega Fire)
In the Poinsettia Fire, San Diego Complex - Carlsbad:
Highway Fire in Bonsall, Fallbrook area:
River Fire in Oceanside:
Bernardo Fire:
As of Saturday, six major wildfires were burning in San Diego County, scorching an estimated 25,000 acres - most on Camp Pendleton, Cal Fire officials said.
For many San Diego residents, the most nerve-wracking day was Wednesday when nine fires were burning at one time.
Here is a timeline of the events beginning with the moment the first fire sparked:
Tuesday, May 13:
10:45 a.m. Bernardo Fire sparks at Nighthawk Lane and Camino San Bernardo, near Del Norte High School
1:05 p.m. Mandatory evacuation are ordered for homes of SantaLuz and Black Mountain Ranch
2:30 p.m. Fairbanks Ranch is evacuated
2:30 p.m. The Helen Woodward Animal Center begins process of evacuation
2:35 p.m. AlertSanDiego begins informing 22,000 contacts of the fire in 4S Ranch
3:10 p.m. Homes south of Carmel Valley Between Camino Del Sur and Black Mountain are evacuated
5:20 p.m. New evacuations are ordered for eastern Rancho Santa Fe
7:20 p.m. Residents within the city of San Diego are allowed to return
8:15 p.m. All evacuations are lifted in the Bernardo Fire
Wednesday, May 14:
9:45 a.m. Tomahawk Fire moves from Naval Weapons Station, Fallbrook to Camp Pendleton
10:30 a.m. Poinsettia Fire sparks off Poinsettia Ln & Alicante Rd in Carlsbad
12:00 p.m. Southern Carlsbad residents are ordered to evacuate
12:12 p.m. San Luis Rey Riverbed Fire sparks at North River Road and College Blvd., Oceanside
12:30 p.m. County Emergency Operations Center is activated in response to multiple fires
1 p.m. Highway Fire sparks off Old Hwy 395 and I-15 in the Deer Springs area
1:10 p.m. Fire reported at Grand and Bear Valley Parkway
As of 1:30 p.m., approximately 15,000 evacuation notifications have been sent in Carlsbad
1:31 p.m. San Marcos officials advise residents the fires in Carlsbad and Camp Pendleton aren’t a threat
1:44 p.m. Camp Pendleton evacuates De Luz Child Development Center and O’Neill Heights Housing
2:14 p.m. San Diego County declares a local emergency
2:20 p.m. Evacuations are ordered for Bonsall, Old Hwy 395 and Dulin Road
2:39 p.m. Fire burning in Escondido is out.
4 p.m. Cocos Fire starts near Village Drive and Twin Oaks Road, San Marcos
4:04 p.m. San Marcos begins to evacuate North San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills, Discovery Meadows, Coronado Hills
4:06 p.m. Cal State University San Marcos students are evacuating, some by car and others by bus
4:08 p.m. Interstate 15 is closed in both directions at Highway 76 due to San Marcos fire
4:28 p.m. City of Carlsbad reports they have issued mandatory evacuations in several neighborhoods East of Aviara Parkway
4:35 p.m. All neighborhoods south of San Marcos Blvd. are evacuated.
4:55 p.m. SD’s fire air and ground resources released from Bernardo Fire to help in other fires
5:10 p.m. Fire is reported in Scripps Ranch at Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Canyon Lake Drive. Homes are evacuated.
5:29 p.m. By now, schools in at least 20 local districts have announced they will be closed Thursday.
5:43 p.m. Freeway Fire sparks at Naval Weapons Station, Fallbrook
6 p.m. Fire controlled at Palm Street exit off I-805 in National City
6:02 p.m. Wildfire sparks in Lakeside near Aurora Drive and Interstate 8 Business. Nearby residents told to evacuate.
6:28 p.m. Fire in Scripps Ranch is knocked down
6:30 p.m. DC-10 Super Tanker arrives, drops fire retardant on NBC 7 News crew in San Marcos
6:45 p.m. Wintergardens area residents must leave due to wildfire burning near Aurora Drive & Interstate 8 in Lakeside
6:47 p.m. Escondido Fire Dept. warns residents to call 911 only if they see flames, reminds them the “smell of smoke” may be from San Marcos fire.
7:35 p.m. Residents evacuated by threat of fire in Lakeside are allowed to return home
7:45 p.m. Gov. Jerry Brown declares state of emergency for San Diego County
8:15 p.m. Residents evacuated by threat of fire in Bonsall are allowed to return home
8:33 p.m. County officials announce that nine fires burned in San Diego County in one day, burning more than 9,000 acres
8:41 p.m. Cal Fire says their biggest concern is the fire burning in San Marcos
9:05 p.m. Evacuation order for O’Neill Housing Unit in Tomahawk Fire is lifted
9:50 p.m. Six hundred new mandatory evacuation notices are ordered in Elfin Forest, Indian Ridge Rd, Crestwind Rd, Wilgen Dr & Bresa De Loma Drive areas in San Marcos Fire
10:15 p.m. Carlsbad residents in the southern portion of evacuation area are allowed to return. Those near area east of El Camino Real, south of Alga Road.
10:40 p.m. More Carlsbad residents are allowed to return
Thursday, May 15:
9 a.m. #PrayforSanDiego was trending on Twitter
11:14 a.m. City of Carlsbad
establishes a tip line for information in the investigation of the Poinsettia Fire
11:55 a.m. Evacuation is lifted for west side of Via Vera Cruz/neighborhoods of Lake San Marcos
1:45 p.m. Poinsettia Fire renamed San Diego Complex
1:49 p.m. Mandatory evacuations are ordered for Escondido residents living near West Valley Pkwy between Via Rancho Pkwy & Highway 78
1:51 p.m. Palomar Medical Center West will shelter in place due to Cocos Fire
1:58 p.m. Sheriff Bill Gore asks public to come forward with any information regarding the cause of the fires
2:40 p.m. De Luz Housing evacuation is lifted in the Tomahawk Fire
4 p.m. Rangers are closing the trails around Lake Hodges, Del Dios Gorge, and San Pasqual Valley.
4:08 p.m. Palomar Hospital reroutes trauma patients
4:45 p.m. Las Pulgas Fire sparks off Interstate 5 at Las Pulgas Rd, north of Oceanside
5:16 p.m. Small vegetation fire breaks out at 45th and Mayberry
6 p.m. Carlsbad police report finding one body in ashes of Poinsettia Fire
6:43 p.m. Evacuations in Carlsbad are all lifted. “Everyone can go home,” city Tweet says.
6:53 p.m. Residents in Fallbrook are allowed back in their homes
Friday, May 16:
9:20 a.m. Evacuation for Lake San Marcos is lifted
10 a.m. Open flame ban called for in all county parks
11:24 a.m. Combat Fire starts in the Talega area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
1:05 p.m. Cause of Bernardo Fire determined to be accidental – a spark from backhoe at construction site
1:34 p.m. Chair of County Board of Supervisors Dianne Jacob says county has had 11 fires with 20,000 acres burned
3:16 p.m. New evacuations are announced on Camp Pendleton - 62 area, San Onofre Housing area and School of Infantry west
4:47 p.m. Some areas of San Marcos are opened for evacuated residents to return home
Saturday, May 17:
8 a.m. Acreage burned in San Diego Complex corrected to 600 acres
10:29 a.m. City of San 
Marcos asks residents to send them photos of the Cocos Fire taken in the first hour
6:21 p.m. Evacuations for San Marcos Cocos Fire area are lifted except for Coronado Hills community
Times listed are based on social media posts made by @nbcsandiego, @readysandiego, @carlsbadcagov , @escondidopolice, @escondidofdnews, @CalFireSanDiego, and @sdsheriff.
The tiny Chihuahua whose freeway rescue by California Highway Patrol went viral has been reunited with its owners, Contra Costa Animal Services said.
The scared dog was found stranded on a roadway median on Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek last week during rush hour. Contra Costa CHP officers tweeted out a picture after rescuing the dog, and received a slew of thank you messages from around the country.
Nobody knew at the time where the dog came from — whether she had been abandoned or escaped from her owners. Contra Costa Animal Services took the dog into their care at their Martinez shelter, saying that she would be put up for adoption if nobody claimed her.
On Thursday, Contra Costa Animal Services said that "the owners and their small children were tearfully reunited with their lost dog," whose name is "Charm."
"They had been looking for her since she escaped from their backyard," the agency added.
Now that the little Chihuahua's story has had a happy ending, the agency wants to raise awareness about the other homeless shelter dogs waiting for adoption.
"They haven't had the media attention this little Chihuahua has had, but they are just as deserving," the agency said.
For more information on how to adopt a pet from the Contra Costa Animal Services, visit their Facebook page.
