Brush Fire Off Mapleview Extension Blackens Six Acres

Lakeside-

 On Saturday, May 11th 2013 at 3:30 PM, the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call about a brush fire off the east end of the Mapleview St extension (east of Pino Drive). Crews clearing a call in the area of Dunbar Lane and Interstate 8 could suddenly see a column of smoke cresting the horizon. A "high wildland" level of dispatch was sent by both Heartland Fire, and CAL FIRE. This level of dispatch brings a combination of brush and structural engines, not to mention, dozers and aircraft.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map
 

Medic 2 arrived on-scene an reported about 2 acres with a high rate of spread currently threatening two residential structures in the area. Soon joined by Engine 2 (River Park Station), Engine 4 (Santee Fire), and Engine 9 (Heartland Fire-Rescue) units set-up to protect structures in the area and initiate a hose lay to stop the spread of the fire.

Fire making its eastern run toward the El Monte Valley.

A nearby park ranger reported to the communications center that the fire was spreading into the El Monte Valley from the eastern slope of the hill. Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station), Brush 26 (Blossom Valley Station), Brush 1 (Riverview Station), and CAL FIRE engines positioned themselves on the eastern flank to contain the spread. With the arrival of air assets drops were placed by fixed wing, and helicopters, to slow the spread of the fire till ground forces could contain the fire.

SDSO-CAL FIRE helicopter puts a drop on the eastern side of the fire. Efforts were concentrated in this area to keep the fire out of the El Monte Valley.

The fire was managed by a unified command between Lakeside (Kirkpatrick) and CALFIRE. Lakeside and CALFIRE were assisted by Heartland Fire-Rescue, Santee Fire Department, Barona Fire Department.

A total of six acres were consumed in this fire. The cause is currently under investigation.

Submitted By : Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photos By: Fire Engineer Robert Williams, Lakeside Fire Protection District