The Harris and Witch Creek fires are still burning this morning but, with any luck today, firefighters will make some significant progress in rounding them up and putting them out. Active fires are reported on the northern edges of each burn area.
The Harris fire is about 20 percent contained this morning after destroying 97 homes along the border. After the discovery of four bodies in a canyon yesterday, the death toll now stands at five, counting the death of a Tecate-area man on Sunday. Residents in the Thousand Trails ... Potrero ... and Tecate areas have been allowed back into their homes, but about 500 homes near the southwest arm of Barrett Lakes remain evacuated.
Evacuees at Qualcomm stadium are being asked to leave by noon today. The city of San Diego wants to close the make-shift shelter and is asking the evacuees to move to the several other locations. About 350 people spent the night at the stadium and county spokeswoman Tammy Glen said they could go to the second-largest shelter ... at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in north county, which is also sheltering horses and other big animals.
A boil-water order is in force in Ramona and the Skyline Ranch Campground in Jamul. The county of San Diego will provide bottled water for residents of Ramona ... who were allowed back into their homes yesterday.
A dense fog advisory is in effect along the coast this morning. The National Weather Service says the fires are too far inland to benefit much from the moisture. Commuters, however, should take note. Dense patches are reported along interstates 5 and the 805, as well as parts I-8 near Mission Bay.
