San Diego officials are evaluating whether city-owned properties, including library sites and other public land, could support future housing developments amid the city’s severe affordability crisis. The city says no specific projects have been approved and that it is gathering community feedback and conducting analysis through its Affordable Housing Development Master Plan. Officials also stress that the goal is to add housing without replacing existing public facilities. Potential sites include several libraries, vacant land, operational yards, and surplus property across San Diego.

San Diego is examining whether city-owned properties, including sites near or containing libraries, could support new housing as part of its Affordable Home Development Master Plan. City officials stress that no specific development decisions have been made, that community feedback and analysis are ongoing, and that existing public facilities such as libraries are not intended to be replaced. Potential sites include library properties, vacant lots, operations yards and other municipal land across the city.

The Dehesa 7 Fire near El Cajon has burned 93 acres and reached 50% containment. Cal Fire reported that firefighters stopped the fire’s spread, built containment lines overnight, and lifted all evacuation orders. Warm conditions are expected, with additional moisture and a slight chance of showers potentially aiding containment. The cause remains under investigation, and no injuries or structural damage were reported.

San Diego is preparing for a potentially severe El Niño season by urging residents to plan for flooding, evacuations and the protection of important documents. Brooke Binkowski praises the city’s transparency and emphasizes that community connection and collective preparedness are essential forms of social resilience amid worsening climate risks. She also announces that she will soon leave the newsletter to focus on revising her books, while remaining active in San Diego.

The Dehesa 7 Fire began near Dehesa Road and Red Gum Road in East County, rapidly expanding from 15 to more than 90 acres. The blaze was 5% contained as of approximately 5:30 p.m. on August 19, 2026, and threatened multiple structures. Evacuation orders issued for nearby residents were lifted around 6:30 p.m., while Dehesa Road remained closed between Willson Road and Harbison Canyon Road. Cal Fire said significant additional resources were responding, amid a local heat advisory.

San Diego County health officials are urging parents and caregivers to check vehicle back seats and never leave children alone in hot cars, even briefly, in shade, or with windows slightly open. Officials say children’s body temperatures can rise much faster than adults’ and that routine changes, fatigue, stress, and distractions contribute to accidental forgetfulness. Recommended actions include calling 911, safely removing a child from the vehicle, cooling the child, using visual reminders, checking with child-care providers, and keeping vehicles locked at home. Pets are also vulnerable to heat emergencies in parked vehicles.

California senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff joined seven other senators in urging Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael Selig to restrict prediction-market contracts tied to wildfires. They argued that such bets exploit communities’ suffering and could incentivize arson or other interference. The senators cited more than $1.2 million wagered on the 2025 Eaton fire and another $260,000 on the Palisades Fire, while California wildfires had burned over 250,000 acres during the first eight months of 2026. They requested a response from the CFTC on whether these contracts are in the public interest and what safeguards it will establish.

A locally acquired salmonella outbreak linked to raw eggs from Ramona poultry farm Happy Hens has grown to 21 reported cases, including seven hospitalizations. The investigation initially focused on mayonnaise made by Ramona Family Naturals, but officials traced the contamination to eggs used in the product. San Diego County is working with state agriculture and public health agencies, contacting facilities that may have received the eggs and advising residents to cook eggs thoroughly, discard damaged or suspicious eggs, and seek medical care for symptoms.

Brandon James Glasgo, 30, was arrested after a wildfire began near Sorrento Valley and is being held on $75,000 bail pending an arraignment on possible arson charges. Authorities say a resident saw him leaving a brushy area as the flames spread. The fire burned about 130 acres in or near Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, prompting evacuations and road closures, but caused no reported injuries or structural damage.

A locally acquired salmonella outbreak linked to raw eggs from Ramona poultry farm Happy Hens has grown to 21 reported cases, including seven hospitalizations. The outbreak was initially traced to mayonnaise made by Ramona Family Naturals, but further investigation identified the eggs as the likely source. San Diego County is coordinating with state health and agriculture agencies and has contacted retailers that may have received the eggs. Residents are advised to cook eggs thoroughly, discard cracked or dirty eggs, practice careful hygiene, and seek medical advice for symptoms after eating undercooked eggs.