Fight Against Deadly California Fires is Progressing (VIDEO)

(SAN DIEGO) - While Santa Ana winds are expected to continue in Southern California, the National Weather Service says the weather system is weakening gradually, but conditions will remain somewhat dry and windy. The offshore winds will continue at 20-30 mph and continue through much of today, with a brief respite later this afternoon before increasing again.

Weather experts say a weaker area of high pressure is building over the Rockies, that means the pressure gradient between the high and lower pressure along the coast is lessening. This morning, winds remain gusty in the mountains and through and below passes and canyons. The strong winds will be more localized than over the past three days.

Western Expert Meteorologist Ken Clark with AccuWeather, says he expects that firefighters across Southern California will get some help from the weather on Thursday and Friday.

"Good news is coming," Clark said in his blog. "The offshore flow turns onshore on Thursday driving down temperatures while driving up the humidity levels. Temperatures (will) drop a good 10 to 15 degrees between Wednesday and Thursday and humidity levels rise noticeably, especially along the coastal plain."

Clark said this is the worst fire situation in Southern California since October 2003, when wildfires destroyed 3,640 homes and killed 22 people.

Poomacha Fire on Highway 76 in the Pauma Valley, San Diego County. This fire started October 23rd as a structure fire on the La Jolla Indian Reservation. It has burned 25,000 acres and is uncontained. 50 homes have been destroyed and 2,000 homes are threatened. Evacuations are in progress along the Highway 76 cxorridor. The communities of Valley Center, Rincon, Pauma Valley, Hidden Meadows, Deer Springs, Vista and Palomar are threatened. This fire has resulted in 10 firefighter injuries. 659 firefighters are currently assigned to this fire under unified command with CAL FIRE and the Cleveland National Forest. Poomacha Fire' Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Ammo Fire at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. The Ammo Fire has burned 7,500 acres since October 23rd. It is currently 50 percent contained. I-5 southbound is closed at Basilone, northbound at Las Pulgas due to smoke and downed power lines. Areas 50 and 53 on Camp Pendleton have been evacuated. Ammo Fire' Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Wilcox Fire at Camp Pendleton on San Diego County. This 13-acre fire on Camp Pendleton currently threatens 100 residences. Wilcox Fire's Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Harris Fire on Harris Ranch Road & Hwy 94 in San Diego County. This fire has burned 73,000 acres and is 10 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning at Harris Ranch Road and both sides of Highway 94 in Portrero in San Diego County. There have been 25 civilian injuries and one death as well as seven firefighter injuries on this fire. 200 homes have been destroyed in this fire and 250 additional homes have been damaged. 1,500 homes are threatened. 4500 people have been evacuated. The communities of Chula Vista, San Diego, San Miguel, Portrero, Barrett Junction, Barett Lake area, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Valley, Lawson Valley, Jamul, Lyons Valley and homes along Millar Ranch Road are threatened. 1211 firefighters are assigned under unified command. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $2.5 million. Harris Fire;s Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Rice Fire in Rice Canyon, San Diego County. This fire has burned 7,500 acres in Rice Canyon in Northern San Diego County and is 10 percent contained. 206 homes, 2 commercial properties and 40 outbuildings have been destroyed. 1,500 homes are threatened currently. 35,000 people have been evacuated from the communities of Fallbrook and Deluz Canyon. Camp Pendleton and Oceanside are threatened. One firefighter injury has been reported. 723 firefighters are assigned to this fire under unified command including 723 CAL FIRE staff. Rice Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.

Rosa Fire located near Temecula in Riverside County. This fire has burned 411 acres and is 70 percent contained. 175 residences near Temecula are threatened. Evacuations have been lifted and residents are allowed to return to their homes. All roads are open. 223 firefighters are assigned to this incident under CAL FIRE command. The cause of this fire is arson. Rosa Fire's Information Line (951) 940-6985.

Witch Fire in the Witch Creek Area East of Ramona, San Diego County. This fire has burned 196,420 acres and is one percent contained. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the community of Julian. Pine Hills is also threatened. 805 homes, 100 commercial properties, and 50 outbuildings have been destroyed. 375 homes, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings have been damaged. 5,000 residences, 1,500 commercial properties, and 300 outbuildings are currently threatened. 12 firefighters have been injured on this fire. A CAL FIRE Incident Command Team is in command of this incident with 1,841 firefighters assigned. Wildcat Canyon is closed. Highway 67 is closed from Poway to Ramona. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $2.3 million. Witch Fire's Information Line (619) 590-3160.

Buckweed Fire in the Mint Canyon Road at Sierra Highway, Los Angeles County. This fire has burned 38,356 acres and is 94 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning at Mint Canyon Road and Sierra Highway in Los Angeles County toward Magic Mountain. Evacuations have been lifted for all areas except Bouquet Canyon. Communities of Santa Clarita, Castaic, Mint Canyon, and Bouquet Reservoir are still threatened. A partial road closure for Sierra Highway north from Soledad Canyon remains in effect. The Old Road at Valencia Boulevard is closed. Vasquez Canyon is open to residents only. 15 homes and 17 outbuildings have been destroyed and three homes have been damaged. Three civilians and one firefighter have been injured. 1,157 firefighters are assigned including 213 CAL FIRE staff. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $2.5 million. Buckweed Fire's Information Line (323) 881-2411.

Magic Fire at Old Cross Road at Magic Mountain Parkway, Los Angeles County. The Magic Fire has burned 2,824 acres since October 22 and is now 93 percent contained. 105 Los Angeles County firefighters are assigned to this fire. Magic Fire's Information Line (323) 881-2411.

Meadowridge Fire in Santa Clarita along the 14 Freeway in San Fernando, Los Angeles County. Thie 20-acre fire began at 12:30 October 23 and is 50-percent contained. No communitiees are currently threatened. 182 firefighters are assigned to this fire under Los Angeles County command. Meadowridge Fire's Information Line (323) 881-2411.

Ranch Fire in the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County. This fire has burned 51,337 acres since October 20th and is 45 percent contained. Fire is burning six miles north of Castaic in Los Angeles County. The communities of Fillmore, Piru, Ventura, and Ojai are currently threatened. Evacuations continue in Chiquito Canyon, Hasley Canyon, Val Verde, Hopper Canyon and toward Filmore. An evacuation center is available at Fillmore Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street. Large animals can be evacuated to Ventura County Fairgrounds and small animals to Camarillo Animal Shelter.

Three homes and four outbuildings have been destroyed. 500 residencesare currently threatened. Three homes and four outbuildings have been destroyed. 1,264 personnel are assigned under U.S. Forest Service command including 80 CAL FIRE staff. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $4.5 million. Ranch Fire's Information Line (626) 574-5208.

Canyon Fire in Malibu Canyon, Los Angeles County. This fire has burned 4,500 acres and is 85 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning in Malibu Canyon south of Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles County. Six homes and two businesses have been destroyed. Nine homes and five businesses have been damaged. 600 residences, 200 commercial buildings, and 100 outbuildings are threatened. 500 homes have been evacuated.

Evacuations are still in effect for Malibu Canyon between Civic Center and Piuma Road. Evacuation centers established at Agoura High School and Palisades High School. Schools are open today except Our Lady of Malibu.

Three injuries have been reported. 310 personnel are assigned to this incident. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $4.2 million. Canyon Fire's Information Line (323) 881-2411.

Cajon Fire at I-15/Kenwood in Devore, San Bernardino County. This fire started October 22 and has burned 350 acres. It is 90 percent contained and no evacuations are ordered. Cajon Fire's Information line (909) 383-5688.

Martin Fire on Martin Ranch Road at Meyers Road, San Bernardino County. This fire in the San Bernardino National Forest began at 9:00 AM October 23rd and has burned 75 acres. It is 75 percent contained. 77 firefighters are assigned to this incident under unified command and one firefighter injury has been reported. One home has been damaged. No structures are threatened at this time. All evacuation notices have been lifted. Martin Fire Information line (909) 383-5688.

Slide Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Lake near Running Springs San Bernardino County. This fire has burned 5,119 acres at Green Valley Lake near Running Springs in San Bernardino County and is currently uncontained. 200 homes have burned and 4,000 homes continue to be threatened. The entire community of Green Valley was surrounded by the fire and was evacuated. More than 2,000 people are at evacuation centers. Mandatory evacuations are also in place for Running Springs, Fredalba, Green Valley Lake, and Arrow Bear. The communities of Live Oak, Smiley Park, Running Spring, Cavalry Chapel Camp, National Children’s Forest and Visitors Center, Arrowbear Lake, Snow Valley and Nordic Rim Ski Areas and Deer Lick are all threatened. All roads into the mountain communities are closed. 564 firefighters currently are assigned to this fire. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1.5 million. Slide Fire's Information Line is (909) 383-5688.

Grass Valley Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County. This fire has burned 1,000 acres northwest of Lake Arrowhead. 100 structures have been lost, and more than 6,000 homes remain threatened. There are mandatory evaucations for all areas north of Hwy 189, North of Lake Arrowhead Dam on Hwy 173, and all of Twin Peaks. Crestline, Thousand Pine Valley, Valley of Enchantment, Strawberry Flat, Cedar Glen, Valley of the Moon, Bluejay, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory and Rimforest are all threatened. State Highway 18 is closed from 40th/Waterman to the Big Bear Dam, State Highway 330 is closed at Highland to Hwy 18, State Highway 138 is closed at State Highway 173. Residents may leave via these highways, but will not be allowed back into these areas. 548 firefighters are assigned to this incident including 228 CAL FIRE staff. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1 million. Grass Valley Fire's Information Line is (909) 383-5688.

Santiago Fire along Santiago Canyon Road at Silverado Canyon Road Orange County. This fire has burned 19,191 acres and is now 50 percent contained. The fire is burning at Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road in Irvine, Orange County. Highway 241 is closed from Santiago Canyon to Highway 133. Portola Parkway and portions of Jamboree Road in Irvine are closed. 3,000 homes are threatened in the communities of Silverado, Modjeska, Trabuco, Live Oak, Williams, Holy Jim, and Cleveland National Forrest. Nine homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed. Four firefighter injuries have been reported. 598 people are assigned to this incident. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1.5 million. Santiago Fire's Information Line is (714) 573-6200.

Sedgewick Fire on Brinkerhoff Road at Sedgewick Ranch, Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara County. This fire, caused by arching power lines, burned 710 acres and is now 100 percent contained. 450 homes and 1 outbuilding were threatened in the Woodstock and Brinkerhoff Road areas of Santa Barbara County. 472 personnel are assigned including 74 CAL FIRE staff. Sedgewick Fire Information Line is (805) 681-5546.

Coronado Hills Fire, South of Cal State San Marcos in San Diego County. This fire started October 22nd and burned 300 acres south of Cal State San Marcos in San Diego County. Structures were lost in Discovery Hills and San Marcos. It is now 100 percent contained. The Coronado Hills Fire Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Roca Fire, East of Temecula in Riverside County. The Roca Fire burned 270 acres since October 21 and is 100 percent contained. All evacuation orders have been lifted. 300 residences in or near Aquanga, Jojoba Hills Resort, Crosley Homestead, Agua Tibea Wilderness, and the Cleveland National Forest were threatened. One home was destroyed. 108 personnel are assigned. One injury has been reported. Roca Fire's Information Line is (951) 940-6985.

Walker Fire, Northwest of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County. This fire burned 160 acres northwest of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County and is now 100% contained. The evacuation center is now closed. Four engines remain on scene. Walker Fire's Information line is (909) 383-5688. McCoy Fire in the Cleveland National Forest, San Diego County. This fire has burned 300 acres and is 95 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning in the Boulder Creek/Eagle Peak area of San Diego County. One residence and one outbuilding have been destroyed. McCoy Fire's Information Line is (619) 590-3160.