May 2014

The Morning After The Poinsettia Fire

by The Editors on May 15, 2014

Pst Fire 2014 1
Sunrise at Ponto Beach.

With the sun rising behind the smokey skies of Carlsbad and many roads still closed, we rolled out for a quick tour of the area most affected by the May 14, 2014 Poinsettia Fire. As we moved east on Poinsettia from Aviara we were amazed by two things. One, it could have been so much worse, and two, what a great job firefighters did containing the fire and protecting and saving hundreds of homes. (Click here for a map of Fire zone).

The fire, which reportedly started near Alga Norte Park, jumped from open space to open space seemingly right over neighborhoods driven west by high winds. First, on the Northeast side of Poinsettia and El Camino Real, then across El Camino Real down to Cassia and again over Poinsettia to the open space just west of Aviara Park to the Southwest of Palomar Airport Road and Camino Vida Robles to Paseo Del Lago where the only commercial building burned.

That Carlsbad only lost eight homes, one condo complex, and one commercial building is a testament to the skills of the crews fighting the fire. In location after location that we visited we saw where the fire had come right up to the side and backyards of dozens of homes, condos, and apartments, yet they were all untouched by the flames. Sure, the cars and the ground were covered in ash, but the fires were stopped short of damaging more buildings. And for that, we are grateful.

We just hope the fire fighters can do the same for our neighbors in San Marcos. Their Cocos Fire seems to be growing as the day goes on.

For more images from the Poinsettia Fire burn zone follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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Poinsettia Fire Lights Up Carlsbad

by The Editors on May 14, 2014

Pfire 2014

Recent Poinsettia Fire updates from the City of Carlsbad:

UPDATE, 5/20/14, 7:50 PM

Please Stay Out of Burned Areas
The City of Carlsbad is asking the public to stay out of fire damaged areas. These areas can be dangerous, and walking on the burned open space could further damage the habitat areas and hamper the regrowth and restoration of these natural areas. The city has posted photos of the burned areas on its Facebook page for residents interested in seeing the damage.

Red Cross in Carlsbad Wednesday
Red Cross client caseworkers will be in Carlsbad Wednesday assist fire victims.
Wednesday, 5/21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Alga Norte Community Park
Meeting Room (in Aquatic Center)
6565 Alicante Road, Carlsbad

Please bring:
Valid identification
Verification of damage (if your property is not already on a damage assessment list, damage assessment will need to be verified by a Red Cross team)
The Red Cross also has a number for victims, 858-309-1338

http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/ca/san-diego/ONE-WEEK-REPORT:-AMERICAN-RED-CROSS-CONTINUES-TO-SUPPORT-THOSE-AFFECTED-BY-SAN-DIEGO-FIRES

How to Help
Ready Carlsbad is accepting cash donations to assist residents and business in Carlsbad. Visit www.carlsbad.org for more information.

The Salvation Army in North County is accepting donations of money, food, hygiene items, diapers, new baby toys, clothing and similar items for fire victims. No used items accepted. The North County Salvation Army center is located in Oceanside at 3935 Lake Blvd., 92056.

Beware of Scams and Price Gouging
Please refer to the San Diego County District Attorney’s office notice for information about how to avoid common charity, insurance, debris removal, restoration and contractor scams.

The Carlsbad City Attorney reminds the public that after the Governor declares a state of emergency, it is illegal for businesses to increase prices of essential goods and services by more than ten percent unless they can prove it was due to an increase in their supplier’s price. The prohibition on price gouging after a disaster applies to consumer food and services, goods or services used for emergency cleanup, supplies, medical supplies, home heating oil, building materials, housing, transportation, freight and storage services, and gasoline or other motor fuels. In addition, it is a misdemeanor during 30 days following the state of emergency proclamation for a hotel or motel to increase regular rates. You can report price gouging to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit at 619-531-4070.

No update on damage assessment.
No update on cause investigation.
No update on body found during the fire.

For damage details and other previously released information, visit the city’s online newsroom: http://news.carlsbadca.gov/news/carlsbad-fire-information

UPDATE 5/16/14, 3 PM

The City of Carlsbad is in the process of deactivating its Emergency Operations Center. The Fire Department has established a department operations center to continue to manage the Poinsettia Fire, which is still at 85 percent contained. Fire personnel are patrolling affected areas to respond to hot spots and flare ups. Some City of Carlsbad fire resources are being deployed to other fires in the county as needed.

No additional Carlsbad-specific updates are planned at this time. For general fire information, please refer to the San Diego County emergency site, http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/

UPDATE 5/16/14, 7:30 AM

Poinsettia Fire is 85 percent contained. Fire crews continue to respond to hotspots in Carlsbad. City of Carlsbad Emergency Operations Center remains open to assist with response and recovery efforts. All roads are open and evacuations have been lifted. Resource information for fire victims has been posted to the city’s home page. Weather continues to be favorable, with 5 mph winds and higher humidity forecast through the weekend. Three Carlsbad strike teams are being redeployed to assist with efforts in San Marcos. Air quality continues to be a concern. Residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

There are three points where Carlsbad Police Department is still controlling access to residents for safety reasons:
Black Rail Poinsettia
Black Rail Sapphire
Poinsettia Brigantine

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

Structure damage assessment remains at:
8 single family homes were destroyed or incurred substantial damage
3 single family homes sustained minor damage
1 multi-family 18-unit apartment building was destroyed
1 multi-family 18-unit apartment building incurred considerable damage
2 commercial buildings destroyed/substantially damaged
1 modular building was destroyed

All core city services are available today.

City Hall and the Faraday Center will be open for regular business today.
Dove Library will be closed today.
Cole Library is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Library Learning Center is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation facilities will be closed today, with the exception of the Carlsbad Senior Center, located at 799 Pine Ave.
The Senior Center will be open normal hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; all regularly scheduled services will be available and the Senior Center will continue to serve as a “cool zone.”

All Parks & Recreation classes are cancelled today.

Follow the jump for all the previous updates. . . [click to continue…]

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Tri-City Medical Center’s New CEO

by The Editors on May 6, 2014

Moran TimTri-City Medical Center has hired Tim Moran (right) as their new chief executive officer. He officially begins in the new position on June 23, 2014.

Moran is an experienced senior healthcare executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience and a track record of success serving as Chief Executive Officer, President and Administrator for hospitals in several states. . . “Tim brings extensive strategy and operations experience leading hospitals,” said Larry Schallock, Chairperson of Tri-City Healthcare District’s Board of Directors. “Our organization will benefit greatly from Tim’s collaborative leadership approach and strong focus on developing a close relationship with the community that we serve.”

For the official word from Tri-City Medical Center, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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Happy Hour Politics With Brad Dacus

by The Editors on May 5, 2014

9982131On Thursday, May 15, 2014 Carlsbad’s Happy Hour Politics is presenting Brad Dacus and his topic The Eroding of your Moral Rights: How to Right Wrongs Legally at The Crossings at Carlsbad.

Brad Dacus served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas, School of Law. For the next five years, Mr. Dacus coordinated religious freedom and parental rights cases throughout the Western states. In 1997, Mr. Dacus founded Pacific Justice Institute, where he serves as President and continues to defend religious liberties and parental rights. The Pacific Justice Institute has a network with hundreds of volunteer affiliate attorneys and handles more cases on the West Coast than any other organization of its kind.

Yes, if you voted for President Obama we’re guessing you’d find some great people to argue with at this gathering. Happy Hour Politics begins at 5:30 PM and costs $15 (including appetizers) but you’ll have to buy your own drinks. For the official word from Happy Hour Politics, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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