Palomar Mountain News

From: Brad Eells

I was on my way to our weekly check of the progress at Boucher Hill Lookout this morning when almost to the park boundary we heard a call from Cal Fire regarding a vegetation fire halfway up Nate Harrison Grade…Yikes! That’s in the neighborhood!

We raced (at the posted 15 mph) up the hill to the lookout to find a Palomar Mountain Volunteer unit already there to confirm the fire. I called Cleveland Dispatch as “Lookout 3”, my call sign “At Boucher Lookout” to confirm for the Forest that a fire was visible with a medium column of gray smoke about 2 miles from the lookout, just west of Nate Harrison Grade. Dispatch called back to ask for a Legal Description. Oops…I forgot to bring up my camera, binoculars and Forest map.

I raced down the tower at way over the speed limit for my bum knee to retrieve the items. I figured a Legal location and reported it to dispatch. Then I stood back on the catwalk and watched the air show that included 1 Air Attack, 4 fixed wing tankers and 3 helicopters. They made quick work of the fire and had it under control in less than an hour with only 1 acre burned. The fire was caused by (alleged) illegal shooting.

 So while we could not quite put Boucher Hill ‘In-Service’ today…we came pretty close! We would have been on that fire very quickly had the tower been open and staffed as it was literally right under our nose…

Read More…

Next BBQ Planning Meeting is today

Sunday, July 24th, 12 noon

at the Community Center.  

We look forward to seeing you! 

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEERS ROCKIN’ THE MOUNTAIN!

Susie K.

 Oh to have a cabin on Palomar!  Here are TWO fixers that could make such good Vacation Rentals!  We really do have a demand for weekend retreats on Palomar.  ‘Cabin Fever’ and ‘Shady Oaks’ could pay for themselves before you know it!  Click for the cabin info and click for a peek at our Rentals available a mile nearer heaven on Palomar Mountain!   Come on up to take a look!

Thanks and hope to see you soon!

Bonnie 760 742-1742

Editor’s Note: We don’t have private property available for hunting that I know of.  Some hunters have been to this property a couple times, with no fresh signs of pigs.  They are MOVERS!  It is suggested to try the National Forest Land on the East Grade or www.mycountryclub.com  Hope you are successful!

Pigs are a real problem on Palomar.  Thanks to the East Grade property owner for taking these great pix.  Stay tuned for how fast these 18 destructive pigs can multiply!  Stats coming soon!

From: East Grade Property Owner

Thought I’d share a few pictures I snapped on my phone last week when I was up at our cabin.  I happened to be in the back bedroom when the wild pigs came tromping by and had a great view of them from the window.  There were 18 in total with about 5 babies I think.  They moved fairly quickly through the area, but did stop to eat acorns and roll around in the dirt a bit.  As usual, they left a bit of a path of destruction.
Don’t know how often they’re sighted, but thought not many get pictures like these!  Lauren

Our ‘Palomar Plumber’ John Lucia, is taking classes for a new career.  In addition to helping with your plumbing issues (when his knees cooperate), he is back in school and is in need of a computer.  Anyone have one that is taking up space?   Give John and call 760 742-2423

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting the 2011 PMVFD annual barbecue fundraiser: Valley Center Wellness Spa, Pala Spa and Resort, Julian Hard Cider, Tony Hawk, Fat Ivor’s Rib Rack, Knott’s Berry Farm, Rick Clemson Photography, A Country Connection, Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Diversified Tax Services, Julian Tea, Cottage Arts, Julian Book House, David Odle Construction, Toyota of Escondido, Smokey’s Lake Wohlford Cafe , Valley View Casino and Viejas Casino.

The BBQ is only 8 weeks away and we NEED YOUR HELP. Please consider making a DONATION and/or VOLUNTEERING.

What a wonderful way to show our appreciation to our brave firefighters, while enjoying a FUN-FILLED day with family and friends!

Contacts:

Kym pmvfdspecialevents@gmail.com

Susie palomarmountainfireboard@gmail.com

Sign-up form http://www.palomarcommunitycenter.com/BBQ.php

More information www.communityconnections.info

THANK YOU,

PMVFD Fundraising Committee

 This very fun, annual event, is right around the corner! 

Labor Day Weekend is a time when our population on Palomar might hit the highest numbers for the entire year!  Why?  The entire weekend has been very special for several decades now!   

Friday Night is the Awards Dinner for the Volunteer Fire Fighters

Saturday, September 3^rd, is fun for the entire family with the yummy barbecue, pie and goodies.  The raffle prizes are auctioned off with all the proceeds going to the PMVFD. There is a dunk tank, fun stuff for kids, and toe-tapping, mountain music!

YOUR help (yes, YOU) would sure be appreciated!

How about helping get a few more raffle prizes?

Have a prize to donate?

Can you help set up the day before, or Saturday morning?

Like to take a shift serving food or helping out in a booth?

The clean-up crew could use your help too.

Like to help sell Raffle Tickets?  They will be available soon!

Click here to sign up or contact Kym McClary 760-855-7451

Let’s all work together to make this a fun weekend-to-remember on Palomar!

Bonnie

Thanks to Dave Ross, editor of the Valley Center Roadrunner, and Mountain Cabin owner, for giving our burglary situation more exposure with the following article:

WAVE OF BURGLARIES ON PALOMAR MOUNTAIN

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a series of burglaries on Palomar Mountain.

According to the department the burglaries have all happened at weekender’s homes that are out-of-the-way of the main roads. The methodology would suggest that the burglars themselves are mountain residents or familiar with the area, since why else would they know which homes are occupied and which are not?

Items taken are pieces that can be quickly sold, such as generators and tools.

The Sheriff’s Dept. advises residents to always be aware of the serial numbers of their possessions, and keep those numbers in a safe place, or to mark valuable items with an etching device. Or else to take photos of valuables for future reference, as this can help in identifying the items if they are recovered.

Regards,

David Ross

Editor

Valley Roadrunner

760-749-1112

“I can handle big news and little news. And if there’s no news, I’ll go out and bite a dog.”

 PROPOSAL WOULD LET NON-PROFIT RUN STATE PARK Read More…

Now SEVEN folks on Palomar have had their privacy invaded and personal belongings stolen!

While checking on my listings today, I met up with some other Mountain neighbors and the deputy taking their report.  One family added up over $50,000 worth of their belongings stolen!  Among the list were several trail cameras stolen from  different properties. Darn!  The owners all had installed their cameras some time ago for the purpose of taking photos of the occasional deer or mountain lion walking through.  Unfortunately, this ‘Mountain Lion’ has two feet.    

See message from one of our Deputy Sheriffs with good suggestions for us: 

From: Newsom, Kenneth [mailto:Kenneth.Newsom@sdsheriff.org]

Please remind the residents and weekenders on the mountain to write down serial numbers, photograph, and try to secure as best as possible.  Also be more aware of who is driving around, even if it’s a neighbor, with “odd” items in their possession.  A lot of crimes are solved by the unknowing witness.  Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you or the residents on the mountain. 

Dep. Ken Newsom