San Diego, CA – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in San Diego County, late last night, as a pair of wildfires roared through the county yesterday, killing one person, injuring at least 17 others and destroying an untold number of homes and businesses, overwhelmed fire officials said. Nearly 250,000 pepole where told to flee.
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The first fire ignited about 9:30 a.m. 45 miles east of San Diego. It tore through steep canyons and parched hillsides between the communities of Potrero and Tecate, Mexico. Smoke and ash blanketed the region as residents prepare to evacuate.
VIN News was informed that the local schools and yeshivas for approximately 900 children are closed due to very bad air quality; all residents told to stay indoors. The Jewish community is getting ready to evacuate, and is prepared for the fire and conditions to worsen. The Sifrei Torahs have been transported and the shuls and chabad houses have all taken the necessary precautions against raging blaze. [VIN]