City News Service

City government offices in San Diego will be closed for Independence Day Thursday and most services will be unavailable, although police and emergency crews will still be on duty.

Firefighters gained ground on the 1,362-acre wildfire in southeast San Diego County, now 50% contained, after it sparked from a car crash near Jacumba Hot Springs.

On Sunday, the county said the Coronado beach area was closed due to excessive bacteria levels. Late Monday afternoon, DEHQ officials said that samples met state health standards.

An excessive heat warning will be in effect until at least 8 p.m. Friday, with dangerously hot conditions and highs between 110 and 118 degrees in the desert.

The blaze erupted about 3:30 p.m. Monday on the westbound side of the freeway, near McCain Valley Road in Jacumba, according to Cal Fire.

Flames engulfed a vehicle on Interstate 8 in the far southeastern reaches of the San Diego area Monday and spread into adjacent brushy terrain, prompting an evacuation of a rural recreation area.

The announcement comes after a judge struck down San Diego's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, saying only the state can make that a requirement.

Earlier this month, supervisors unanimously voted to oppose any further placements of sexually violent predators until local jurisdictions are able to fully participate in the placement process, including having full veto authority.