Sign on San Diego's Fire Blog has a break down of fire related info:

The general feeling seems to be that things are "winding down", what with Qualcomm being shut down and evacuees moved to Del Mar. The Mayor is asking for people to get back to their regular activties and encouraging reestablishment of the tourist industry and city activities. 1/2 of the fires have been contained (14/23 according to CNN) and the outlook is positive.

For the complete listing of stats from the Sign on Fire Blog click here.

California wildfire overall statistics:
Acreage: Nearly 493,000 (about 770 square miles).
Homes destroyed: More than 1,780, according to authorities.
Deaths: Three confirmed fire deaths, seven fire-related deaths. Authorities were investigating whether four burned bodies found Thursday east of San Diego were fire victims.
Injuries: About 30 civilians, 52 firefighters.

Major wildfires burning in California, by county:
San Diego County:

Witch Fire: Nearly than 198,000 acres (more than 309 square miles) in northern San Diego County from Witch Creek to Rancho Santa Fe. 30 percent contained. 1,061 homes and 30 commercial properties destroyed. Two burned bodies found in a charred home. Two civilians and 12 firefighters injured. Containment expected Sunday.

Poomacha Fire: About 38,500 acres (more than 60 square miles) on the La Jolla Indian Reservation and in northeastern San Diego County. 30 percent contained. 60 homes destroyed. Twelve firefighters injured.

Horno/Ammo Fire: About 20,000 acres (more than 31 square miles) on the Camp Pendleton Marine base. 80 percent contained.

Harris Fire: About 84,000 acres (more than 131 square miles) north of the border town of Tecate, about 70 miles southeast of San Diego. 20 percent contained. Ninety-seven homes, 17 outbuildings and two commercial buildings destroyed. One civilian killed, 21 injured civilians and seven injured firefighters. Containment expected Nov. 4.

Rice Fire: About 9,000 acres (more than 10 square miles) in Fallbrook in northern San Diego County. 30 percent contained. 206 homes and two commercial properties destroyed. One firefighter injured.

I like this headline (from Sign on San Diego's Fire Blog)

Bush tours burn sites, takes off

Schwarzenegger shakes hands with Bush, watches him go.

Everyone talks about how nice it was he stopped by, go back to actually fighting fires, picking up the pieces.

I personally like Sign On San Diego for their less doomsday coverage

There is still cautious optimism in the San Diego area. While winds have died down and thousands have been allowed back to their homes to survey the damage, others are still in shelters and there are still some fires burning completely unchecked.

Since Sunday, the wildfires in San Diego County have forced about 560,000 people to flee their homes. The fires also have caused more than $1 billion in property damage, disaster-relief experts said yesterday.

As of early last night, fire officials reported that five blazes had burned more than 327,000 acres and destroyed at least 1,100 homes.

Although some critics (online bloggers are mentioned!) voiced concern over the original lack of help from the air, Governor Schwarzenegger refutes such claims saying that aircrafts could not fly because of high winds at the start of the week.

“Anyone complaining about the planes just wants to complain because that's a bunch of nonsense,” Schwarzenegger told ABC News during a morning interview.

The calmer conditions are a great help to firefighters trying to get blazes under control but they will not help improve air quality in and around San Diego.

President Bush is expected to speak in California later this afternoon.

It's still fire, fire, fire but hope is in the air!

Federal disaster declaration has been signed by President Bush. Money will be available for those that are not insured and those under insured. Plus there will be money for temporary rentals. Lower winds and more humidity are expected to help fire fighters today. I-5 has been reopened in area of Camp Pendelton. Still one lane of traffic in some areas.

And from the Union Tribune:

At least a half-million people have been forced from their homes. That's roughly one in every six county residents scattered in shelters, hotels and spare rooms of friends and relatives.
Nearly 1,300 houses and other structures have been razed as flames have charred about 300,000 acres since Sunday. The property tally is expected to climb.

The tone of both the national news media and local media seems to have changed, there may be an end in sight. And the weather seems to be in a much better mood lately, keep your fingers crossed.

President Bush is expected in the area tomorrow.

The Coop is still in San Diego in his tight tshirt reporting from Qualcomm, looking clean and happy.

The Coop is reporting that winds are dying down to 20 MPH (vs. 100mph winds of before). They are expecting the firefighters to get ahead and on top of the fires tomorrow. We're reaching the turning point.

Oh yeah AND Jennifer Lopez isn't coming.

*Start the tears she's not coming.*

A concert featuring actress and recording artist Jennifer Lopez at Cox Arena tomorrow night has been canceled.The decision was made today and released this afternoon by Lopez's New York recording company and Los Angeles publicist.The concert has been rescheduled for Nov. 10.

At least she's rescheduling (United, get it together!) so there's something. By then her twins will be super big and you can watch her shake three booties on stage (she's pregnant people, it was confirmed in US Magazine which makes it true).

More cancelled arts and entertainment activities

From Sign Ons Street Blog: Newly posted information on cancelled arts and entertainment activities for San Diego.

San Diego Fires claim 100+ homes, CNN reports.

Just watched a quick update on CNN. 100+ homes have been destroyed by the fires in San Diego County. Over a quarter of a million people have fleed their homes and over 100,000 acres have burned (so far). There is some concern (still) that the fire could (possibly) reach out to the coast. And it's the wind that's cause for concern.

Over on CNN.com I found this bit of info.

The fast-moving fires are threatening the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. The park was closed Monday and some of the animals, like endangered condors, are being moved to a safer location, according to zoo spokeswoman Yadira Galindo.

You can find live blogging coverage here.

Or if you go here there's some more information. Qualcomm is looking for donations. Belly up and Casbah are closed tonight. Help your neighbors, stay inside, stay off cell phones.