Brush Fire Threatens River Bottom

Lakeside-

A fast moving brush fire quickly spread from Highway 67 into the nearby San Diego River bottom. On Thursday, May 2nd 2013 at 4:16 PM, Fire Chief Andy Parr observed a small fire starting on southbound Highway 67 between Winter Gardens Blvd and Riverford Rd. After notifying the Heartland Communications Center of the fire a high wildland fire response was dispatched which included three brush rigs, four structural engines, a water tender, two duty chiefs, and an ALS medic unit.

The fire makes an eastward push towards the conservancy.

Fire running eastward down the freeway easement. The fire eventually burned north into the river bottom. (Photo By: Ken Kremensky)

The fire quickly extended off of the freeway easement into the thick fuels north of the freeway. The fire started to make a hard run to the east which threatened the Lakeside River Park Conservancy. Crews were initially placed to stop the eastward spread of the fire while other crews placed hoselays to surround the fire. Due to the dense nature of the vegetation in this area crews were committed for an extended period of time conducting mop-up operations.

Lakeside Engine 2 knocks down flames on the east end of the fire. (Photo By: Ken Kremensky)

Crews work in the heavy vegetation in the river bottom.

Lakeside Fire District was assisted by the Santee Fire Department and CALFIRE, A total of 17 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident.

 The fire consumed 1.5 acres of brush. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map