City News Service

Starting Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol will intensify its policing of San Diego-area freeways and rural roads as part of its annual effort to nab intoxicated motorists and crack down on other types of dangerous driving over the long Fourth of July holiday period.

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.

There have been 16 earthquakes reported near El Centro and Imperial since midnight.

Veterans, service members and families marked the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, with a ceremony at the museum Thursday.

A brush fire blackened scores of open acres in the area of Barnett Ranch County Preserve.