Bad News In SoCal Fire

Increased winds are creating new problems for the large force of firefighters trying to contain a wildfire that threatens mountain communities east of San Diego. The blaze near Julian on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest spread by more than 6 thousand acres during the night. It was at 39,500 acres after burning 13 homes, 24 outbuildings and 46 vehicles since its start on Monday.

The fire has forced the evacuation of more than 100 animals from rural homes and ranches in the mountains east of San Diego. The San Diego Humane Society says the list of animals includes 60 horses, 20 rabbits, 20 donkeys, one bull, three pigs, a goat and two llamas.

California Department of Forestry spokeswoman Lora Lowes says the wildfire was 60% percent contained, but the estimate of when it would be fully contained has been moved back from this evening to next Sunday evening. She says firefighting weather conditions are not favorable, with winds predicted to be ten to 20 miles per hour from the southwest, and the humidity only 15% above the extremely dry brush and trees.