TheJHub.com

As the fight continues, fire officials warn – worse case scenario – if the winds continue to propel the flames westward, the Pacific Ocean may be the only thing to stop it.  The Witch fire merged with another smaller blaze that broke out overnight from a downed transformer.  Interstate 15 is still closed between highway 56 and 78.  At 11:21 an “overall evacuation update” lists, according to 2000 census data, 513,000 people in San Diego County have received a mandatory evacuation order via reverse 9-1-1 and AlertSanDiego.  An additional 12,000 have been advised to leave their homes.  There are over 20 shelters housing refugees.  Some residents, however, are allowed to return back home at this time in the Del Mar Heights and North East Scripps Ranch area.  Eyewitnesses along I-8 claim that the winds seem to be “not quite as intense” and are feeling somewhat relieved.  Although the danger is far from passed, residents are still urged to limit their power and water consumption and use cell phones sparingly.

UPDATE - at 2pm MST the US FORREST SERVICE confirmed the second casualty to the fires.  More information will be updated as soon as it is available.