Classes cancelled due to wildfires

PLNU alum Sean Kuhney looks out at the smoke-filled sky from the backyard of his parents' Carlsbad home. Kuhney and his family received a voluntary evacuation notice around 7 a.m. Monday morning. Photo courtesy of Sean Kuhney.

Classes at PLNU and the Mission Valley regional center were canceled begining at 4 p.m. yesterday and extending through Friday due to two wildfires burning in San Diego County.

Aside from supervisors and essential personnel, all faculty staff and commuter students are being asked to stay at home in order to reduce traffic for emergency vehicles and evacuees, wrote President Bob Brower in an e-mail yesterday afternoon.

More than 150 faculty and staff have been evacuated from their homes around San Diego County, said Brower in follow-up e-mail sent this morning. The number of students who have evacuated was not given.

"The priority for these affected PLNU community members is to take care of their families and immediate needs," wrote Brower.

As of 10:30 a.m. today, the fires were approximately 15 miles from the PLNU main campus, and administrators did not anticipate a need to evacuate.

Students are advised, however, to keep their windows and doors closed to preserve air quality in residence halls.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in San Diego County late Sunday night due to the two blazes.

The Witch fire, burning in North County, is the state’s primary concern at this time and has split in two directions: one headed south for Poway and the other west towards Escondido. By Monday night, 600 structures had been destroyed and 300 damaged.

The Harris fire, blazing in the southeastern part of the county, has killed one person, injured 21 and destroyed four homes.

How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

Use common sense. If it’s smoky outside, it’s probably not a good time to go jogging or exercise outdoors.

If you’re advised to stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed.

Help keep particle levels lower indoors by not using anything that burns such as stoves and candles.

Drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol) to moisten the respiratory tract.

If you have asthma, be vigilant about taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you're supposed to measure your peak flows, make sure you do so. Call your doctor, or visit a local urgent care if symptoms worsen.

Courtesy Archie Yates, director of Public Safety

There was no end in sight for either fire yesterday, with barely five percent containment for the Harris fire by one estimate. Officials expect the fires to burn at least through today and likely into the week.

Over the last few days, emergency officials have worried that the high temperatures and winds would bring about a repeat of the Cedar and Paradise fires that ravaged San Diego County four years ago this week.

Useful links for San Diego fires