Lakeside Assists CALFIRE at Brush Fire in Alpine

Alpine-

On Thursday, May 2nd 2013 at 12:54 PM, units from throughout the area were dispatched to the 2100 blk of Twisted Oak Lane for a "high wildland" vegetation fire. The "high wildland" brings additional resources to the fire based on current weather conditions. In this case units from Alpine, Lakeside, CALFIRE, USFS, and Viejas responded to the fire as part of the automatic aid agreement. This augmented response allows incident commanders the ability to address a broader range of needs during the first critical minutes of a fire.

Firefighters from USFS and Lakeside cut hand line around the perimeter of the fire.

Arriving companies found a brush fire burning between residences in medium brush. Crews immediately attacked the fire and placed engines on threatened structures in the neighborhood. Fortunately crews were able to hold the fire to about an acre without any damage to nearby residential structures.

Crews from multiple agencies work to mop-up remaining hot spots.

Due to the dry winter, and the current heat wave, fuels are tinder dry.

Crews were committed for about two hours.

Investigators have determined that the fire was started by weed abatement efforts using a power mower with a metal blade. Any abatement effort utilizing metal blades should be conducted prior to 10 am to prevent sparks from igniting tinder dry vegetation.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District