Morning Fire Destroys Mobile Home

 Lakeside, CA -

On the morning of January 10, 2015, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at Gray Buckner’s Mobile Lodge on Woodside Avenue. The response included 4 structural fire engines, 1 truck company, 1 ambulance staffed with firefighter/paramedics, and a chief officer.

Engine 1 was on scene in under four minutes.

Engine 1 (Riverview Station) arrived to find the mobile home fully involved. After establishing a lengthy supply line from the nearest fire hydrant, crews attacked the fire with hand lines and were able to bring it under control in about 20 minutes. Overhaul of the fire was put on hold while deputies from the SDSO Bomb/Arson unit conducted an investigation of the origin and cause.

Captain Wes Barnes performs an assessment as the attack line is stretched.

Lakeside units were assisted by the Santee Fire Department, the San Miguel Fire Protection District and members of our very own Logistics Volunteer Group. In addition, volunteers from the Red Cross responded to provide the displaced occupant with temporary housing and basic necessities. Fortunately, no one was injured.

FF-PM Chris Williams protects the "D-side" exposure.

FF-PM Chris Williams gets a quick knock-down.

Supply line was laid from a hydrant several hundred feet away.

Story by Chief Jim Kirkpatrick

Photos by Captain John Hisaw

Late night structure fire on Olde Hwy 80

Just after midnight on July 30, 2014, crews from the Lakeside, El Cajon, and Santee Fire Departments where dispatched to a reported structure fire on Olde Hwy 80 near Pecan Park.  Heavy smoke could be seen from the top of Lake Jennings Park Road.  Engine 3 from the Lake Jennings fire station was the first engine on scene and reported heavy smoke and fire coming from a detached garage.  The fire was quickly knocked down by first arriving units and there was no spread into the vegetation.  Crews were committed a short time to overhaul the building and check for fire extension through the walls.  The cause of the fire is being looked into.

Units that responded to this where Lakeside engine 2, engine 3, engine 26, Medic 3, chief 4104, and chief 4101.  We also had assistance from El Cajon engine 8 and Santee truck 4. 

HWY 67 Closed for Major Traffic Collision

Lakeside, CA -

On Friday May 30, 2014, at approximately 3:15 in the afternoon units were requested to respond to Hwy 67 northbound to reports of a head on collision just south of Winter Gardens Blvd.  Lakeside Engine 1 arrived on scene and found two vehicles with major damage, each of which had trapped victims inside.  Additional resources were immediately requested due to the large workload that would be required to extricate multiple patients from separate vehicles.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

The incident, which was being directed by Lakeside Division Chief 4104, utilized engines from Lakeside, Santee, and El Cajon.  Two rescue units were also assigned, Santee R5 and Lakeside R3 from the Lake Jennings Fire Station.  The two patients were in critical condition meaning they would require separate transporting units so two ALS units were requested as well as Mercy Air 6.  

Crews work to extricate patients from separate vehicles

A large quantity of debris was strewn from the accident site

The accident scene was strewn with the contents of both vehicles, a sign of how much energy was involved in the collision.  Hwy 67 had to be completely closed due to the large volume of debris that resulting from the accident.  The closed freeway provided the ability for the fire and law enforcement crews to work safely while extricating the patients.  The road closure also allowed for a very close landing zone for Mercy Air 6.  It is rare to see a medical helicopter set down on a major interstate in San Diego County in the middle of rush hour traffic.  The helicopter, along with the seriousness of the accident, drew crowds of people to the side of the road to watch the incident.

One patient was extricated quickly and immediately transported by Santee Medic 4 to an area trauma center.  The other patient took longer to extricate so Mercy Air 6 was utilized to provide transport to the trauma center.  Once the patients were extricated and the incident was stabilized the California Highway Patrol took over the scene and began an accident investigation.

Mercy Air 6 set down on the closed portion of HWY 67

Photos / Video and Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Early Morning Crash Closes Wildcat Canyon Rd.

Lakeside:

On the morning of April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday), crews from the Lakeside Fire Protection District and Barona Fire were called to the scene of an early morning rollover traffic collision.  Initial reports from Heartland dispatch noted that there was a solo vehicle rollover with around 5 patients.  Several of the patients were reported to still be trapped in the vehicle which was on it's roof and possibly on fire. 

The vehicle came to rest on it's roof

Barona Engine 27 arrived on scene first and reported that the accident was just south of the 3.0 mile marker on Wildcat Canyon Road near Muth Valley Rd.  Engine 27 reported there were several patients and people around the vehicle, but there were none requiring extrication and vehicle was not on fire. It was confirmed that there was only one vehicle involved in the collision and that it had rolled over an unknown number of times.  Lakeside Engine 2 arrived on scene just after Engine 27 and began patient care with Lakeside Medic 2.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

The traffic collision required that both lanes of Wildcat Canyon Road be closed so patient assessment and care could be carried out.  The California Highway Patrol arrived on scene and took over the establishment of the road closures, which allowed fire department crews to safely load the patients into the transporting medic units.

Transporting medic units getting a patient turnover from the on scene paramedics.

Bystanders on scene reported that at least two of the patients from the traffic collision had left the scene with other vehicles before any fire department resources arrived.  It was found that there were still two patients on scene that had to be transported to local trauma centers.  The patients were transported by Lakeside Medic 2 and Medic 3.

The damage to the vehicle is clearly visible after it has been flipped onto it's wheels.

After the patients were transported the vehicle was flipped onto it's wheels and the extent of the damage could be seen.  The roadway was covered in oil and fuel as a result of the damage the vehicle had sustained.

There were a large volume of fluids on the roadway as a result of the vehicle collision.

Crews assisted with the initial clean up but it was determined that the County Roads Department would have to come out with specialized equipment to complete the cleanup operations.  The CHP remained on the scene to wait for County Roads and conduct the accident investigation.

Preventing fluids from running off into the waterways is one of the tasks that has to be accomplished on an accident scene.

Photos by: FF/PM Steve Russo and Captain Bernie Molloy
Post by: Captain Bernie Molloy

"Valley" and "Dunbar" Incidents

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, firefighters from multiple agencies were dispatched to reports of a vegetation fire along eastbound Interstate 8 just east of Greenfield Drive.  Initial reports stated the fire was about 1 acre in size  with a slow rate of spread.  Minutes later the fire grew rapidly as the wind picked up and pushed it up the hill toward homes on Lotus Ln.  Firefighters quickly responded to the area to defend homes.  Along with the air support from the firefighting helicopters and the quick deployment of fire crews into the area, no homes were lost and no one was hurt.  Firefighters worked well into the night to contain the fire and several fire crews remained on scene overnight to monitor the area.  The fire was estimated to be about 30 acres and the cause is still under investigation.

At the same time the Valley fire was being dispatched, another fire was reported along the right shoulder of eastbound Interstate 8 just before Dunbar Ln.  Multiple agencies were dispatched to this location at the same time as the Valley fire.  Both incidents shared the air resources and had quick action from ground crews to stop the forward progress and contain the fires without injuries or homes being lost.  The size of the Dunbar incident is unknown and is also under investigation.

Units from the Lakeside Fire Protection District on these incidents were Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 26, Brush 1, Water Tender 7251, and Chiefs 4101, 4103, and 4105.

Other agencies were Cal Fire, El Cajon, Santee, U.S. Forest Service, Alpine, and Barona Fire.

Story and Photos By: Engineer Matt Buzzell

Lakeside Firefighters Rescue Child From Tree

Lakeside, CA -

On Friday, August 30, 2013, firefighters from the Lakeside Fire District were called to the 9200 block of Sombria Road in Lakeside for a child who had climbed to the top of a 30' tree and became stuck and unable to climb down. On the arrival of Engine 1 (Riverview fire station), Captain Blane Darby took control of the scene and requested the Telesqurt aerial apparatus from Station 2 (River Park station). Firefighters had determined that ground ladders would not have been able to effectively reach the stranded child due to the height and branches obstructing a clear path.  

Engine 202s utilizing its aerial ladder

When Engine 202S arrived under the command of Acting Captain Chris Downing, apparatus Engineer Carl Chiodo spotted in the cul-de-sac and set up for an aerial rescue.  Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Raczka climbed the aerial ladder and then gave further instructions to Engineer Chiodo to expertly guide the tip of the ladder as close as possible to the child.  Firefighter/Paramedic Raczka then tied-off the child with webbing to prevent him from falling while he was carefully moved to the ladder.  After securing the child, Firefighter/Paramedic Raczka was able to pluck the child, who was growing increasingly fatigued from his harrowing adventure, from the branches. He then assisted the child down the ladder to the arms of his anxiously waiting parents. The child was not injured in the ordeal and swore off climbing trees for the rest of the summer.

Photo and Story by Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Raczka

VEGETATION FIRE ON BUSINESS 8 IN LAKESIDE

Lakeside, CA -

Shortly before noon on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013,  Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a vegetation fire on Highway 8 Business east of Los Coches Rd. Engine 3 (Lake Jennings fire station) was the first unit on scene and reported a fast-moving vegetation fire with one structure burning and several homes immediately threatened in a nearby mobile home park. The E3 officer immediately requested additional resources through Heartland Dispatch including strike teams, aircraft, and hand crews.  First arriving firefighters also discovered a burn patient who was immediately treated and transported to the burn center at UCSD Hospital in Hillcrest.

Smoke looms up from the fire. Photo taken from the Camino Canada area. (Photo By: Josh Raczka)

A structure burns after the moved through the area. (Photo By: Josh Wilson)

For the next several hours crews were able to stop the spread of the fire and extinguish the blaze. One mobile home and several out buildings were lost during this fire along with a few vehicles.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  A special thanks to Gaetano's Italian Restaurant for supplying food for the crews when the work was done.    

Engine 3 pumping a deck gun (600 gallons per minute) trying to take the heat out of the fire. (Photo By: Jeff Holz)

Crews putting in a hose lay to cut off the extension of the fire down the creek bed. (Photo By: Jeff Holz)

Firefighter taking action on one of the involved structures. (Picture By: Jeff Holz)

Fire making a run towards structures. (Photo By: Chris Walsh)

Responding units from the Lakeside Fire District included Engine 3, Engine 2, Brush 1, Brush 26, Medic 2, Medic 3, Water Tender 7251, Chiefs 4105, 4106, 4101, and support 4140 (Logistical Volunteers).

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Agencies that assisted with the incident included Cal Fire, Santee, El Cajon, Barona, Sycuan, and County of San Diego.

Story By: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell, Lakeside Fire District
Photo By: Mark Roberts, 10 News, Josh Raczka, Jeff Holz, Josh Wilson, Chris Walsh

Lakeside Firefighters Assist Santee with House Fire

 

Fire attack operations get underway.

Truck 4 crew performing roof operations.

 Santee, CA-

 Just before noon on Monday, September 17, 2012, Lakeside engine 1 and Medic 2 were dispatched to to a residential structure fire in Santee.  Division Chief 4106 from Lakeside Fire District was first on scene reporting a well-involved garage fire.  Santee units arrived on scene and coordinated ventilation and fire attack to quickly knock-down the fire while Lakeside and El Cajon units arrived to assist in stopping the fire from spreading through the attic of the home.  One civilian was assessed for injuries and released at scene.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Units on scene from Santee were engine 4, truck 4, rescue 5, and battalion 2.  Units from Lakeside were engine 1, medic 2, and engine 9 from El Cajon.

Dinner at Lakeside fire station 2

 Lakeside, CA -

Sunday night, a lucky family was able to take a private tour of the new fire station 2 on Lakeside Ave and then sat down to enjoy a dinner prepared by the on-duty firefighters.  The Lakeside Firefighters donated "A Dinner at The Fire House" to the Lakeside River Park Conservancy to be raffled off for charity at a fund raising dinner.  The Peers family was the lucky winner and were able to treat themselves and their immediate family to a dinner headed-up by firefighter/paramedic Jose Corona.  Along with the tour of the station and a closer look at the fire apparatus, the family got to know a few of the first responders in their community.

As the event came to an end, the Station 2 units received a call and everyone got to watch as engine2 and medic 2 headed to a call.

Firefighters Fight Multiple Vegetation Fires in Lakeside

Lakeside, CA -

Just after lunch, firefighters from Lakeside Fire Protection District and surrounding agencies were dispatched to a vegetation fire in the area of Crazy Horse Drive and James Hill Drive in Eucalyptus Hills.  Smoke could be scene from station 1 on Riverview Avenue.  Medic 2  was the first unit on scene and reported several acres on fire and structures threatened.  Battalion 3 and Lakeside Fire Division Chiefs arrived on scene quickly and directed units to the areas that need the most help, ordering multiple strike teams to assist.  Brush 1 was the first brush engine on scene and immediately started a progressive hose lay to extinguish and contain the fire.  With firefighters in place defending homes, crews attacking the flanks of the fire, and firefighting aircraft now making drops, the fire was being brought under control.  As more resources arrived to help the efforts on the ground firefighters were able to get a hose line all the way around the fire.  No homes were damaged and no injuries were reported.

While the first fire was being mopped up, a second fire was reported in El Monte Valley.  Aircraft and resources that were being released from the first fire quickly made their way over to the second fire and where able to keep it to a few acres.  Both fires are under investigation.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map

Units from Lakeside Fire were Brush 1, Medic 2, Engine 2, Engine 3, 4101, 4103, 4104, 4105, 4106, and 4140 (Lakeside LVGs).  Other agencies assisting were Santee, El Cajon, Cal Fire, Fish and Wildlife, and the USFS.

Story and Photos by: Engineer/Paramedic Matt Buzzell

Lakeside Firefighters Respond to Vehicle Fire with Extension to Residence

Lakeside, Ca-

Early on the evening on Thursday, May 17, 2012, Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in front of a residence on Amato Drive in Lakeside. On the arrival of Engine 1 (Riverview fire station), firefighters observed that the vehicle fire had extended into the garage of the residence with an exposure to the second floor above. The Engine 1 Captain (Lowe) immediately requested a full structure assignment consisting of 3 additional engine companies, 1 truck company, 1 medic unit, and division chief.  The Engine 1 crew quickly extinguished the vehicle fire and made access to the garage, limiting further fire spread.  On the arrival of additional fire companies, crews assisted with salvage and overhaul operations checking the rest of the house for fire extension and protecting personal property.  The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

Lakeside units assigned to this call were Engine 1, Engine 2, Medic 2, and Division 4103.  Other agencies assisting were San Miguel, Heartland Fire Rescue, and CAL Fire.

Lakeside Fire Fighters Battle Well-Involved Residential Fire

Firefighters stretch hoselines for fire attack.

Lakeside, CA-

Shortly after shift change on Tuesday morning, May 8, 2012,  Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a well-involved residential structure fire not far from the new River Park fire station on Lakeside Avenue.  Once enroute, Engine 2 reported to Heartland Dispatch and responding units that heavy smoke was visible from their quarters. Lakeside Division 4103 arrived and assumed Incident Command (IC) assigning incoming fire units to necessary tactical assignments . After laying over 700 feet of 4 inch supply line from the closest fire hydrant, Engine 2 was assigned fire attack, assisted by Engine 4 (Santee).  Shortly after making entry into the well involved structure fire, crews had to back out due to heavy fire conditions inside the large single family home.  After Santee Truck 4 arrived on scene and was able to cut some holes in the roof to ventilate much of the heat and smoke, fire crews where able to make entry once again and knock down the fire and extinguish it.

Santee Truck 4 performs roof ventilation operations.

The Truck 4 crew placing ground ladders.

After the Sheriff Bomb-Arson Investigators had finished their investigation, firefighters were able to finish overhauling the structure and removing anything that might cause the fire to reignite.  Once this labor intensive task was complete, crews were able to rehab with water, gatorade, and snacks provided by the Lakeside Logistics Volunteer Group.

Firefighters faced heavy smoke and fire conditions.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map

Lakeside Fire would like to acknowledge the timely assistance provided to us by our automatic aid partners during this challenging incident. Units assigned to this fire included: E1, E2, M2, 4103, 4105, 4106, 4140 (Lakeside); E4, T4, E5 (Santee); E6, E206 (El Cajon); E19, E21, LA23 (San Miguel); T27, 4803 (Barona); 4702 (Alpine).

Post By: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell
Photos By: Firefighter/Paramedic Bryon Peters

Rollover on Hwy 67 in Lakeside

On the morning of February 28, 2012, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a reported rollover with trapped victims on Highway 67 just north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road at the top of the grade.  While units were enroute, CHP arrived and confirmed that there were two trapped victims.  Lakeside Division Chief 4105 arrived and assumed 67 IC, reporting a pickup truck on its side with two patients inside. Lakeside Engine 2 and Medic 2 ( River Park station) were directed to stabilize the vehicle and assess the condition of the two patients. Engine 1 (Riverview station) and Rescue 3  (Lake Jennings station) arrived shortly after and were able to assist in quickly extricating both injured occupants. Lakeside firefighter-paramedics transported both victims to an area trauma center.

Lakeside Fire units on scene included 4105, Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 3, Medic 2, and Medic 3.    

Submitted by: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell 1B
Photo By: Captain Chuck Palmore 1C

Lakeside Firefighters Battle 2nd-Alarm Condo Fire

At 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, February 26, 2012,  Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a multifamily residential fire with multiple reports of smoke and flames.  Upon leaving their nearby quarters, Lakeside Engine 2  reported a column of smoke was visible.  Battalion 8 (Kremensky) was the first unit on scene reporting smoke and flames showing from both floors of an occupied 2-story condominium.  Lakeside Engine 1 (Riverview station) was the first engine on scene followed shortly by Engine 2 (River Park station).  Firefighters quickly stretched handlines and attacked the fire, coordinating interior firefighting operations with outside vertical (roof) ventilation. A rapid response coupled with well-coordinated and aggressive firefighting limited direct fire damage to only the involved unit. Damage to adjacent units was limited to only smoke. One victim was transported by firefighter/paramedics to the local burn center with injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lakeside firefighters were assisted on this challenging fire by our automatic-aid partners from Santee, El Cajon, San Miguel, and Barona. Units attending this incident included: E1, E2, E3, M2, and 4103 (Lakeside); E4, T4, R5 (Santee); E6, T6, B3 (El Cajon); E19 (San Miguel); B8 (Barona).

Smoke and fire showing from 2nd-story windows.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map 

Submitted By: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell 1B

Lakeside Fire Crews Respond to Brush Fire on Bull Pen Rd.

Barona- Just before 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20 ,2011, Lakeside firefighters were called to assist several other agencies with a vegetation fire that was burning in the 1100 block of Bull Pen Road on the Barona Indian Reservation.  The fire was seen, ironically enough, by Barona Fire crews who were out training with their Brush unit. A medium wildland dispatch, which was quickly upgraded to a high wildland dispatch included Battalion 8, Brush 27, Rescue 27 (Barona), Engine 1, and Engine 2, Brush 26 (Lakeside); Engine, Brush and Medic 27 (Barona); Brush 4 (Santee).

The fire was located on a west facing slope and had a slight onshore wind behind it, pushing it up toward the top of the ridge line. This area last burned in the Witch fire in October of 2007. The vegetation, unlike how it looks in the Google Earth view, has recovered a great deal and had a mix of annual grasses, shoulder high poison oak, and dense brush.  

The fire carried well through the grass crops but did not burn well in the more dense fuels. In what is a carbon copy of the fire behavior of the fire we had just up the street on August 7, 2011 the dense fuels slowed the fire enough that it was able to be halted before it burned unchecked into the national forest.

Barona units quickly began progressive hose lays up the flanks of the fire, which were quickly supplemented by crews from the municipal departments, USFS and Cal Fire as they arrived on scene. The fire crews were aided by aerial resources as they progressed up the fire, which was moving up the hillside toward the east, being driven by topography and light upslope winds. The fire was quickly handled by the resources on hand and held to less than 10 acres. In addition to the engine companies and aerial operations, Cal Fire hand crews were brought in to aid with the suppression operations.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This fire again illustrates that the vegetation is drying out as the summer progresses.  We continue to see an increase in fire intensity over the summer as the fuel loads become more susceptible to fire spread.  This is a reminder that all people who own property in an urban interface area should continue to be vigilant about maintaining their defensible space. In what is another example of how well the various agencies in San Diego County work with one another, especially in these urban interface areas.  It is due to the ongoing efforts by all agencies to train together and follow the same tactics and strategies during emergency operations that we can have crews from 7 different agencies all working together seamlessly completing an objective.  The training earlier in the year such as the San Diego County Wildland Drill, and the annual RT 130 Wildland Refresher Course are continuing to pay their usual dividends in our inter-agency operations as we progress through the summer wildland season.
Story and photos By:  Engineer/Paramedic Bernie Molloy

Barona Vegetation Fire Draws Interagency Response

Barona- Just after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8,2011, Lakeside firefighters were called to assist several other agencies with a vegetation fire that was burning at approximately the 8 mile marker of Wildcat Canyon Road on the Barona Indian Reservation.  There had been an initial dispatch for Cal Fire and Forest service units for a fire on Wildcat Canyon, and shortly after Barona Units were called to investigate smoke at the north end of the reservation.  

The view from the South as units approached the fire

The fire was quickly determined to be on the Barona Reservation so a medium wildland dispatch was put out for Heartland units to respond.  On the dispatch were Battalion 1, Brush 2, Engine 1, and Engine 3 (Lakeside); Battalion 8, Engine, Brush and Medic 27 (Barona); Brush 4 (Santee).

The Fire bumps Wildcat Canyon Rd.

As initial units were arriving on scene, the fire was only 1-2 acres but it was traveling at a moderate rate of spread across the light flashy fuels (light grass and annual growth shrubs) and heading towards the thicker vegetation that covered the rock-strewn mountainside.  Fire crews and aerial resources began attacking the flanks of the fire, which was moving along the hillside toward the west, being driven by topography and slight upslope winds. The fire also had a slight backing motion to it, spreading slowly to the east, where it would meet Wildcat Canyon Road.  Crews, including the Lakeside and Santee units, began arriving on scene and supplementing the hose lays that had been started by Barona Fire, Forest Service, and Cal Fire Units.

A Cal Fire Air Drop over Lakeside Engine 3

The Fire was quickly handled by the resources on hand and held to approximately 10 acres. In addition to the engine companies and aerial operations, both handcrews and a dozer were brought in to aid with the suppression operations.  This fire shows that the vegetation is drying out as the summer progresses.  We have steadily seen fire intensity increase over the summer as the fuel loads become more susceptible to fire spread.  This is a reminder that all people who own property in an urban interface area should continue to be vigilant about maintaining their defensible space.

A view from above the fire.

This fire, which was run under a joint Incident Command between Barona and Cal Fire with Lakeside Battalion 1 assigned as Operations Section Chief, is an example of how well the various agencies in San Diego County work with one another, especially in these urban interface areas.  It is due to the ongoing efforts by all agencies to train together and follow the same tactics and strategies during emergency operations that we can have crews from 7 different agencies all working together seamlessly completing an objective.  The training earlier in the year such as the San Diego County Wildland Drill, and the annual RT 130 Wildland Refresher Course are starting to pay their usual dividends in our inter-agency operations as we progress through the summer wildland season.

Story By:  Engineer/Paramedic Bernie Molloy
Photos By: Chief Ken Kremensky and Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Buzzell