San Diego’s jobless rate just hit a high not seen in three years as the region’s labor force surged. The unemployment rate was 5 percent in August, up from 4.9 percent in July, state labor officials said Friday.

Saturn 2 Fire initially started 12:45 p.m. May 20 in San Diego County. It has been burning on federal land managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for four months. It is believed to be human caused and due to undetermined (remarks required). At this time, details about the containment of the fire are unknown.

The unemployment rate for San Diego is out and academics note it’s higher than the 4.2% for the national average, but lower than the California statewide unemployment rate of 5.3%.

San Diego County's unemployment rate increased slightly in August, up to 5% from a revised 4.9% in July, and above the year- ago rate of 4.4%,according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.