Fires hit tribes hard

'We were left behind,' tribal official says

Rincon Indians lose 65 structuresA day after fire swept through the Rincon Indian reservation in North County, destroying 65 homes, trailers and other buildings, a tribal council member wondered when outside help would arrive.

“We were left behind, nobody here to help,” Councilwoman Stephanie Spencer said yesterday. “We are doing everything we can with our casino and all our resources here, but they don't last forever.”

The Rincon and La Jolla reservations were hit hard by the Poomacha fire Tuesday morning, with tribal members and others seeking refuge in the Harrah's Rincon casino near Valley Center.

As of yesterday afternoon, 350 people remained at the casino-hotel.Comment:  If anyone's wondering, I'm not in any danger. These fires are 75-150 miles away from me.