Vegetation Fire Marks the Beginning of Fire Season

Foster-

On Sunday, May 13, 2012, at 10:53 a.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls for a vegetation fire on Highway 67 midway up the Slaughterhouse Grade. Additional callers stated the fire was advancing up a hillside. Two structural engines, one brush engine, an ALS medic unit, and two staff officers were dispatched to the incident. In addition, CalFire sent a full response including aircraft to the fire.

The crew from Engine 2 and Medic 2 put in a hose lay in on the northern end of the fire.

Crews advance a hose lay up the perimeter on Division Alpha.

 On the arrival of Engine 2 and Medic 2 (Riverpark Fire Station), firefighters reported about a half-acre of light grass burning and advancing up an eastern facing slope next to the highway. Crews also had to deal with a number of spot fires near the main fire. Fortunately much of the fuel in the area is still alive, thus the fire was isolated to the light grass, resulting in a slower spread of the fire.

Copter 12 dropping water on Division Alpha

With the arrival of Brush 1 (Riverview Station) hose lays were established on both sides of the fire to control the forward advance. San Diego Copter 12 arrived and made a number of drops on the head of the fire stopping the up slope advance of the fire.

With the arrival of additional resources a final control line was placed around the fire and the entire burned area was overhauled. The final size of the fire was placed at about one acre. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

While not a major fire it is a reminder that fire season has arrived in the east county.

Lakeside Incident Commander: Division Chief Chuck Tockstein
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

What Are Divisions?

To help manage fires they are broken down into geographic areas that are managed by a Division Leader. This provides for better management and accountability of personnel on the fire ground.   Typically the left side of the fire is designated Division Alpha, while the right side is given the designation of Division Zulu. As the fire grows additional divisions are added as needed.