Insurance Commissioner Meets with Fire Victims
Volcan Mountain, hiking trails at Heise reopen

Making a visit to Ramona state Insurance Commissioner, John Garamendi had the difficult task of facing over a hundred fire victims, who prefer to be called fire survivors. Mountain View Baptist Church held the meeting in the afternoon on Friday April 23. In initial fire meetings Garamendi said that “many would hit the wall in about five to six months” and he suspected that the reason they were there was they had “hit the wall.” “We know there is a major issue of unsettled claims,” said Garamendi. There were 3500 total loss which resulted in 1935 claims of which only 434 have been resolved.

County Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and the Department of Parks and Recreation celebrated the reopening of Volcan Mountain Open Space Preserve and hiking trails at William Heise County Park on Wednesday, April 28 at Heise County Park and concluded with refreshments and a ranger-led interpretive hike. The moderate hike of Canyon Oak at 1.25 miles, or the more challenging Desert View trail of 2.25 miles are both showing signs of new growth and regeneration of all types of vegetation. William Heise County Park is located at 4945 Heise Park Road in Julian.

May camping special: Friends camp free

The County of San Diego Depart-ment of Parks and Recreation just made having fun the natural way even easier for friends, family, and neighbors. During the month of May, campers that reserve a site in any San Diego County park Sunday through Thursday can receive a campsite of equal or lesser value in the same park for a friend to camp for free, on the same night. Camp-sites included in this promotion are full hook-up, partial hook-up, primitive, and wilderness cabins. For more information about "Friends Camp Free" and other camping specials, or to make a reservation, please call toll-free: 1-877-565-3600 (858-565-3600 local) seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteers Needed to Help at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Earth Day, April 24, had over 400 volunteers from all over the county with shovels, trashbags and strong backs working to help get Green Valley Campground and Picnic Area ready to open. Work was also done on the trail going up to Stonewall Peak and around the Dyar House. Paso Picacho campground will be targeted next.

Work parties are organized every weekend, for people of varying talents and physical abilities. More information is available on the park’s Web site, www.cuyamaca.us.