WWW.POMERADONEWS.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
INSIDE
50 cents (includes tax) |
Vol. 65, ISSUE 22
Witch Creek firefighter recalls ‘incredible’ experiences Protected homes in RB, was impressed by residents’ resilience
Widow shares lessons learned. A3
■ Halloween events, A8 ■ Opinion, A18 ■ Obituaries, A22 ■ News Briefs, A22 ■ Calendar, A23
BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK The 10th anniversary of the fire storm that swept San Diego County in October 2007 has been bringing back memories for not just those who were evacuated and, for some, forever impacted due to loss. Those also recalling those horrific days include firefighters who experienced the flames first-hand as they attempted to save CRYSTAL HOYT thousands of homes and the lives of See related stories on Pages A4, A6, 500,000-plus fleeing residents during the A14, A16 and A17. largest evacuation in county history.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Rick Ballard, then a fire captain, was among those on the front lines of the blaze, working 72 hours straight with, as he recalled, only a two-hour rest on top of a fire engine in the Westwood Shopping Center at some point. Ballard said he and the other firefighters basically stayed awake to fight the flames due to adrenalin. Ballard said Oct. 21, 2007 was his day off, but after learning at his son’s baseball game SEE FIREFIGHTER, A12
Fire survivors reunite to mark 10th anniversary
Local prep football previews. B1
■ Sports, B1 ■ Entertainment, B4 ■ Classifieds, B10 ■ Gardening, B13 ■ Business, B14 ■ Homes, B15 Rancho Bernardo/4S Ranch News Journal
An Edition of
13426 Community Road, Suite C Poway, CA 92064 (858) 218-7200 pomeradonews.com
San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Rick Ballard
FRESH PRINTS
ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK
Reese Ong, 6, got fingerprinted by Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol member Gee Silberman during the seventh annual Rancho Bernardo Safety Fair on Sunday in Webb Park. See more photos on Page A16 and in the photo gallery at PomeradoNews.com.
BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK A “low-key” reunion of more than 130 Witch Creek fire survivors and recovery coalition members was held Sunday to mark the wildfire’s 10th CRYSTAL HOYT anniversary. “This is a celebration of homecoming and friendship,” Jan Rasmussen told attendees. She was co-chair of Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church’s fire recovery ministry and became a key volunteer with RB United. The latter organization was formed to help with residents’ recovery efforts and funded by a grant provided by the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation. RB United’s subsequent efforts have focused on emergency preparation. “The loyalty, friendship and love that all of us here share will be forever,” said Assemblyman Brian Maienschein. In 2007 he was on the San Diego City Council representing Rancho Bernardo. “I felt tremendous sadness for my friends and constituents who lost their homes,” Maienschein said. He recalled his first drive through Rancho Bernardo after the wildfire when he saw the devastation left after 365 homes were destroyed and more SEE SURVIVORS, A13
RB Thanksgiving Luncheon tickets, sponsorships available BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK Tickets are on sale and sponsorships sought for Rancho Bernardo’s official kickoff event to the holiday season. The 28th annual Rancho Bernardo Community Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Nov. 21 since, per tradition, it always occurs on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving.
Tickets are $50 per person, available online until Nov. 20 at tinyurl.com/RB-Thanksgiving17. Sponsorship information is also on the website, with opportunities ranging from $250 to $5,000. Various perks are available based on sponsorship level. The deadline to become a sponsor is Nov. 6, though to maximize publicity opportunities the earlier sponsors come forward, the better, said Debbie Kurth, RB
We may be able to lower your payments.
Community Foundation president and luncheon chairwoman. For details, contact her at 619-206-2569 or debbiekurth@bsiincorp.com. The luncheon is organized by the foundation and raises money for its community grants program plus Rancho Bernardo’s endowment. Kurth said more than $70,000 in grants will be awarded during the luncheon SEE THANKSGIVING, A13
Craig Brown
Your Local Mortgage Banker
for over 30 years NMLS# 182529 | Corp# 12072
Copyright © 2017 Skyline Financial Corp. dba Skyline Home Loans, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) Company ID # 12072, Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act File No: 4130296
858-451-0620 craigbrown.skylinehomeloans.com