City Council extends state of emergency for Mount Soledad

The San Diego City Council voted today 6-0 to extend a state of emergency declaration instituted in the wake of last October’s landslide on La Jolla’s Mount Soledad.

The landslide left a gaping hole on Soledad Mountain Road, damaged or destroyed nine homes and caused about $48 million in infrastructure damage.

Work to repair Soledad Mountain Road, part of which has been closed since the landslide, is slated to be complete sometime this October.

The City Council also voted to extend a state of emergency first declared in October because of the wildfires.

The declaration, which expires every 21 days if not renewed, clears the way for city officials to seek state and federal money.

Without discussion, the City Council voted 6-0 to extend the declaration. Councilwomen Toni Atkins and Donna Frye were excused from the meeting.

About 360 homes, most of them in Rancho Bernardo, were destroyed in the Witch Creek fire.

Altogether, the October wildfires charred about 370,000 acres in San Diego County, destroyed about 1,700 homes and killed 10 people.

The council is on summer recess, but returned to take the votes.