San Diego County Fires-Update October 25th –P.M.

The following information was compiled by the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and will be updated and posted online at www.visitsandiego.com twice daily in an effort to keep attendees, exhibitors, meeting planners, and members of the media update on important news related to the fires in San Diego County.

Fire Update:  There are NO active fires in the City of San Diego.  San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders has announced this morning that all San Diego neighborhoods will be re-opened for evacuees by the end of the day.   Qualcomm Stadium, the site of the largest shelter, has less than 2500 individuals and is “winding down” according to Mayor Sanders. The improved situation has alleviated hotel room supply concerns in the downtown area where most attendees participating in Convention Center events are housed.  Business, hotels, shops, and restaurants are open. Updates on the fires can be accessed at http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/.

Events at the Convention Center:  The Convention Center is open and fully active.  Approximately 6000 attendees of the American Society of Human Genetics (www.ashg.org) are fully engaged in events planned as part of their annual meeting at the Convention Center. 

While one large local event for Sharp Healthcare has been postponed due to the fires, no other major events have been cancelled or are expected to be impacted by the regional fires.  Two smaller events, a local job fair and dance, have been cancelled as attendance is drawn from the local area impacted by the fires.  No other cancellations are expected.  The fires are not expected to impact any future events currently scheduled for the next several weeks. A list of upcoming events at the Convention Center can be found on the main page of the website at www.visitsandiego.com.

Weather:  The Santa Ana conditions are expected to end in today.  Wind gusts have already dropped dramatically, humidity is on the rise and temperatures are expected to return to normal today.  Weather updates are available at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/display_product.php?sid=SGX&pil=FWF.

Airport & Roads:  The San Diego Regional Airport remains open and fully operational.  No delays or cancellations are anticipated.  Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways are waiving their fees to change ticketed reservations for passengers traveling into and out of Southern California this week due to the wildfires.  Updates are online at www.san.org.  All major arterials in and out of the City of San Diego, including Interstate 5 and 15, are open and traffic is moving normally.

Air Quality in Downtown is “Good”: The air quality in downtown San Diego is good, and the smell of smoke has diminished greatly.  Individuals with respiratory issues are being advised to stay inside to avoid possible irritation if they are in an area of the County of San Diego where air quality is diminished due to the smoke and particles in the air.  The Convention Center, hotels, restaurants and shops used by attendees is located in downtown San Diego and the air quality remains good. The air quality graphic (below) produced by the San Diego Union Tribune shows how the air quality in downtown San Diego is in no way a danger to event attendees.

Local Attractions:  The San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and SeaWorld, are all open.  Museums in Balboa Park and area theaters are expected to return to normal operating hours today as well.

How You Can Help:  Individuals and organizations have called asking how they can help those impacted by the fires.  While local attendees of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) took immediate action by doubling-up in hotel rooms to free up rooms for local evacuees.  Attendees at the annual show have also been encouraged to support an Emergency Relief Fund established by the ASHG by making a donation online at http://www.ashg.org/genetics/ashg/annmeet/2007/call/mtgupdates.shtml.  The funds collected by ASHG will be distributed to a San Diego group assisting with the relief effort as determined by the ASHG Board of Directors.

For those not in the general San Diego area who would like to support relief efforts can support relief efforts organized by the American Red Cross by calling 800-Red-Cross or donating online at www.redcross.org.