Pets at the shelter included 23 dogs, a chicken, four cats, two geckos and a guinea pig, according to the San Diego Humane Society.Ĭounty officials praised the work of firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers and others in helping to rescue and evacuate residents as the flames grew close.

The Red Cross was on hand to help with medical needs and the San Diego Humane Society was helping with food, bowls and blankets for pets. And obviously some of them want to know if their home is still up.”Īt the site, evacuees had water and food, and meals were being prepared. Some people weren’t able to get to their houses because they were at work.

“They want to be able to feed their animals.

“They really want to get back to their houses,” he said. He said the evacuees were in good spirits but anxious. Some were there Wednesday as well, said Capt. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune)Īt the Mountain Empire High School evacuation site, about 70 people showed up during the day. “I’m hopeful firefighters will be able to fully control the fire,” she said. Gaxiola’s husband was able to retrieve the family pickup and motorcycles, and they returned to grab clothing for the family. The family spent the evening in the Jamul Casino shelter. On Wednesday she had driven to school in Potrero to pick up the children, but on the way back was not able to get into the park because the fast-moving fire had forced evacuations. Maricela Gaxiola and her husband returned Thursday afternoon to the home they have lived in the last four years with their two children, ages 8 and 10, and family dog Rambo. They were going to stay with a friend in Jamul. “But the most important thing is my family,” he said. Rodriguez said he and his wife bought the home just six months ago, and he was stressed to leave it as the fire continued to burn. His wife and two children, ages 13 and 4, had left the home the day before and went to the evacuation shelter at Jamul Casino.Īs he spoke, a helicopter made a water dump on a hillside near the park. Roberto Rodriguez had returned to his home to pick up his red 1965 Mustang, some clothing and electronics. The park off Barrett Lake Road was evacuated Wednesday soon after the fire blew up. On Thursday afternoon, authorities allowed residents of the Barrett Lake mobile home park to return to their homes and pick up items, but not stay. California Record temperatures, raging fires, a strained power grid: California heat wave in full effectĬalifornia officials have extended a Flex Alert into Friday, and triple-digit heat at a fire near Castaic forced officials to pull back some firefighters on the front lines.

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