Steve Lopez and his cellphone camera

When firefighters from Benicia finally came off the line this morning, they were too tired to sleep. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 3:58 AM PT

Steve Lopez spent Tuesday in San Diego County, talking to people and snapping pictures with his cellphone camera.

Mission accomplished: Wave Weapon escapes the fire. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

A southwest Escondido neighborhood was still largely intact, but threatened. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

Residents of this southwest Escondido neighborhood were waiting and hoping. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

One of five homes destroyed in a rural Fallbrook neighborhood. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)