One of several wildfires in San Diego County has crested Palomar Mountain in the far North County. It's now threatening the landmark observatory and radio towers. Crews are clearing brush and lighting back burns to halt the fire's spread. Firefighters are making progress on two of the biggest wildfires burning in the county. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.
Bill Pollock is with the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services. He says the largest fires in San Diego County - The Harris and Witch Creek fires - are still burning as firefighters work on several hot spots.
Pollock: For the Harris Fire, the area out to the east of Dulzura and approaching Marina Village, Cameron Corners area, it's still burning fairly hot and we've got crews of course on the line there. And in terms of the Witch Creek fire that's up on right along the side of Palomar Mountain and above Pauma Valley.
He says crews are also working a hot spot near Julian where the Witch Creek fire is churning its way toward the town nestled in rolling hills filled with dry vegetation. Three-thousand residents were under mandatory evacuation. Firefighters are worried that west winds would accelerate the blaze uphill toward the town.
But Pollock says firefighters are close to getting the upper hand on all the wildfires in the county.
Pollock: Things are winding down, we're still not out of the woods yet. There's still a lot of work to be done.
He says the end may be in sight in a few days. Ed Joyce, KPBS News
