Lakeside Firefighters Battle Motorhome Fire

Lakeside, CA - 

Early on the morning of February 9, 2016, Heartland Communications (HCFA) dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a large motorhome on fire in the 11500 block of Oak Creek Drive in the Eucalyptus Hills area of Lakeside. HCFA alerted Lakeside fire stations 1 and 2 at 5:27 a.m. for a large vehicle fire response. Lakeside Division 4105 (Molloy) and E2 arrived in just over seven minutes reporting a large class A motorhome in a residential driveway well-involved with fire. Division 4105 assumed Oak Creek IC and assigned E2 to attack the fire. E1 arrived and assisted with establishing a water supply and pulled an additional hoseline to help extinguish the fire. During extinguishment, the electrical service to the home burned through and dropped in the street. The fire was confined to the motorhome.

As was the case with this incident, fires in motorhomes progress very rapidly and generate a tremendous amount of heat due to the types of materials used in their construction. The quick fire department response to this incident helped ensure that this dangerous fire did not extend to the nearby house.

Resources attending this incident included E1, E2, Div.4105, Chief 4101. Assisting agencies included S.D. Sheriff, CHP, and SDG&E. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The view from the Incident Command Post.

E1 arrives to assist.

Getting water on the fire.

Engineer-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood managing his pump panel.

FF-PMs Bing Tom and Chase Mashburn overhaul the fire.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photos by: Division Chief Bernie Molloy and Engineer Shawn McKenna, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Fire Spreads to Vegetation on Hwy 67

Lakeside:

Firefighters in Lakeside were called out on Monday August 18, 2014 to reports of a fully involved vehicle fire on Highway 67 near Scripps Poway Parkway.  The dispatch location falls near the border of three fire districts, so units from Lakeside, Cal Fire, and Poway Fire were dispatched.

Cal Fire Engine 3388 arrived just before Lakeside Engine 2 and reported a fully involved vehicle fire that was spreading into the vegetation.  Crews from the Cal Fire Engine and Lakeside Engine 2 split their efforts, using one hose line out to address the vehicle fire and one hose line to address the vegetation fire.  The fire in the vegetation was quickly stopped and held to under 1/4 of an acre.  The vehicle fire was also extinguished, but the car was a complete loss.

The incident, which occurred during the evening commute, caused quite a bit of traffic on HWY 67.  CHP assisted the Fire crews on scene by making what is usually a four line highway into a 2 lane highway.  This assistance gave firefighters enough space to address the two fires safely.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

  Story and Photos by Captain Bernie Molloy

Condominium Fire on Mapleview Street Brings Second Alarm

 Lakeside, CA -

On Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 4:07 p. m., the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call from an occupant that stated there was a wall on fire in their condominium unit in the 12500 block of Mapleview Street.  The first alarm sent four structural engines, one truck company, an ALS medic unit, and a chief officer to the fire.  Enroute units were advised that a number of units were filling with smoke from a possible attic fire.

Medic 2 (River Park Station) arrived on-scene and reported smoke showing from the complex.  Unsure that the occupants had safely exited the unit, firefighters made entry and conducted a search for victims. Engine 1 (Riverview Station) soon arrived and advised the smoke conditions had worsened and fire attack lines were pulled.

Crew members don their breathing apparatus in preparation of entering the structure.

Crews soon discovered that a fire was well established in the common wall between two units and had advanced two stories to the attic space. The labor intensive task of opening up the walls and roof began.  Fire was quickly discovered on the second floor and attic.  The incident commander requested a second alarm to augment crews already engaged in chasing down the hidden fire.

The crew from Santee Truck 4 makes their way to the roof to begin operations.

With the second alarm came an additional four structural engines, one additional truck company, and an additional  chief officer. 

Truck crews were sent to the roof to conduct ventilation and roof removal operations. Fire was located in the attic area and was knocked down by crews before it could spread to other units. Simultaneously crews were searching adjoining units and conducting salvage operations as smoke and water was entering these occupancies.

Crews begin the task of salvage operations. Smoke and water are removed from the affected units.

Crews were eventually successful in extinguishing the fire after extensive interior operations.  Unfortunately, three units had been affected to the point that they could not be occupied. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the families that had been displaced. 

It was determined that the fire started during plumbing repairs that involved the use of a torch. A total of 16 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident assisted by personnel from the Santee Fire Department and Heartland Fire and Rescue.  Again this demonstrates the seamless working relationship between participants of the automatic aid agreement.

Crews received logistical support from the Lakeside Logistic Volunteers. They provided cold drinks and breathing apparatus support during this operation.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 
Additional Photography Provided By: LVG Dennis Canfield, Lakeside Fire District

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

Fire Crews Tackle Vegetation Fire in the San Diego River Bottom

Lakeside, CA-

On Monday, April 21, 2014, at 8:16 p.m. the Heartland Communications Center received multiple 911 calls about a vegetation fire burning in the San Diego River Bottom just east of the Highway 67 bridge. While units were still responding additional emergency calls indicated the fire was in the heavy fuel producing 20 foot flames. In addition to Lakeside Fire units, CalFire initiated a response to assist with the fire.

Fire crews working an attack line back to the fire area.

Fire burning in the heavy fuels of the San Diego River.

With the arrival of Engine 2 and Medic 2 (River Park Station), firefighters could see a fire burning in a remote location. Crews evaluated a number of locations to initiate the fire attack but eventually decided to advance an attack line from an area near the Highway 67 bridge. The effort required a hose lay that exceeded 1000 feet, but crews were able to knock down the fire and cut a fire line around the area.

Due to the heavy fuel, firefighters had extensive mop-up.

Currently the fire is under investigation. Crews from Lakeside and CalFire responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

 

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

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

Firefighters Rescue Injured Horseback Rider from River Bottom

El Monte Valley:

Firefighters from Lakeside were called Thursday April 10th, 2014 to assists a horseback rider who had been thrown from their horse.  The rider had reportedly been injured on the trail in the river bottom that runs through the El Monte Valley but the exact location was not known.  The San Diego Sheriff's Department assisted the fire department in trying to find the downed rider.  After a short time, the rider was located on the trail.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map


Crews from Lakeside Engine 2 and Medic 3 hiked into the scene and began rapid treatment of the patient.  Rescue 3 arrived just behind the other units to assist with extricating the patient off of the trail.  The Patient was carried out in full spinal precautions to M3.   Once in the ambulance the patient was transported to a local trauma center.

Firefighters from E2, M3, and Rescue 3 carry the injured rider out of the river bottom

The injured rider is loaded into M3 for transport to the trauma center

Photos by Captain Mark Grow
Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Fire in Apartment Complex Brings Full Response

Lakeside, CA -

A strong smell of smoke prompted a Lakeside resident to call for the fire department early on the morning of March 28, 2014. Lakeside Firefighters were alerted at their stations at 3:47 a.m. for a possible fire in a large apartment complex on Ashwood Street. Lakeside Engines 1 (Riverview) and 2 (River Park) arrived in just under six minutes to find moderate smoke pushing from an outside electrical utility room. Firefighters established a water supply from a nearby fire hydrant and pulled attack lines for fire control. Residents from two adjacent apartments were quickly evacuated as firefighters opened up interior walls to search for the hidden fire. The fire was located in a wall behind the exterior water heater closet and was extinguished with a handline off of Engine 1. The rapid response coupled with quick actions kept this fire from extending into the adjacent occupied dwellings.

Units attending this incident included: E1, E2, M2, D4104 (Lakeside); E4, T4 (Santee); E19 (San Miguel). Lakeside would like to acknowledge the help of our automatic-aid partners in assisting on this incident. S.D. Sheriff's deputies also assisted with evacuations.

Engine 1 on scene.

The fire was in the wall here.

Attack line at the apartment door.

Post and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Rescue on the Slaughterhouse Grade

Moreno Valley-

On Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at 5:34 a.m., the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call about a driver that had impacted the rear of a semi truck on northbound Highway 67 just north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Rd. Dispatched to the incident were two structural engines, a rescue company, a ALS medic unit, and a chief officer.

Crews evaluate the extent of entrapment.

While units were still responding to the incident a SDPD officer arrived and reported that the occupant was trapped. With the arrival of Engine 2 (River Park Station) they reported a full size SUV with a single occupant trapped in the front seat. The crews initiated medical care and made an effort to see that there was no potential for fire.

Crews start the task of removing the dash from the victims legs.

Crews remove the back of the drivers seat. This facilitates removing the victim on a backboard.

With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Fire Station) a plan was developed to free the occupant. During the rescue operations the crew faced a number of challenges as the damage to the vehicle had compressed the occupants legs under the dash. After a number of plan revisions the occupant was freed. Care of the patient was transferred to the paramedics on Medic 2. After a brief assessment the patient was transported to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

A total of 12 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident. The accident is currently being investigated by the CHP.

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

View 2014 Incident Mapt in a larger map

Multi-Agency Response Stops Brush Fire in Lakeside

Lakeside, Ca -

Central Zone firefighters were alerted to a vegetation fire just before 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2013. Heartland Fire Communications dispatched a high wildland resource assignment after receiving numerous calls reporting a fire on the hillside near the 10400 of Aquilla Drive in Lakeside. Initial responding units reported smoke visible from a distance indicating a working vegetation fire.

Engine 4 (SNT) arrived on scene first and reported approximately 1 acre of vegetation burning on the hillside behind homes on Aquilla Drive. Lakeside Division 4106 (Kirkpatrick) arrived and assumed Incident Command (Aquilla IC), directing arriving fire crews to initiate fire attack on each flank of the fire. As this area of the Lakeside Fire District is also designated as state responsibility area (SRA), CalFire also initiated a wildland resource response including aircraft.

Air tankers made several retardant drops to slow the forward spread of the fire, allowing firefighters on the ground to eventually surround the fire with hoselays. Helicopters supported the ground forces with water drops. As a further precaution, the IC ordered a strike team of type I engines to the Eucalyptus Hills area to prepare for structure defense if needed.

The rapid response and immediate commitment of fire resources held this fire to approximately 15 acres with no damage to structures and no civilian injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Central Zone resources assigned to this incident included: E2, E3, WT7251, Div. 4106, Div. 4105, Div. 4103, Chief 4101, Support 4140 (Lakeside); E4, Br4, E5, E204 (Santee); E6, E8, E9, Batt. 3 (Heartland Fire-Rescue); Br27, Chief 4801 (Barona).

Fire runs up drainage behind structures. (Photo By: David Worsham)

A Cal Fire air tanker makes a hard bank while making a drop. (Photo By: Jeff Holz)

A lone firefighter is dwarfed by the massive boulders on the hillside. (Photo By: Jeff Holz) 

Firefighters navigate through challenging terrain while putting in a hose lay. (Photo By: Jeff Holz) 

Keli Bedford-Owen caught this shot of Copter 12 working the perimeter of the fire.

With the sound of approaching aircraft Lisa Ball's daughter grabbed the camera an caught this S2t working the west flank.

With a load of retardant suspended in air this S2t continues to maneuver down a predetermined path. This image was caught by Shannon Dixon-Jackson 

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photos by: David Worsham, Jeff Holz, Keli Bedford-Owen, Lisa Ball's daughter, and Shannon Dixon-Jackson

UPDATE: final acreage for fire was estimated at 28 acres.

Head-On Vehicle Collision Closes Wildcat Canyon Road

Wildcat Canyon Rd-

On Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 at 8:12 AM, the Heartland Communications Center received emergency calls about a head-on collision on Wildcat Canyon Road just below Stelzer County Park. Two engine companies, one rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and the Lakeside duty chief responded to the incident.

Debris field left from the collision.

On the arrival of Chief Tockstein he reported that the vehicles had traffic totally shut-down, and that the two vehicles were separated by about 100 feet. With the arrival of engine companies and medic units it was quickly determined that one patient would need care at the Sharp Memorial Trauma Center, while the other patient could go to Grossmont Hospital.

The crew from Engine 1 and Medic 3 work on one of the occupants.

A BLS ambulance was requested while Medic 3 quickly loaded the patient that met trauma center criteria. AMR responded an ambulance which transported the other patient to Grossmont.

The force of the collision completely removed the wheel and suspension from the drivers side.

As a result of the accident Wildcat Canyon Road was closed for an extended period while crews conducted EMS operations, and the vehicles could be removed from the roadway. CHP is currently investigating the incident.

Without a doubt this is another "airbag save." Had these vehicles not been equipped with advanced airbag systems this would have been a fatality accident.

A total of 9 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident. Lakeside was assisted by Santee Fire.

Units Dispatched: LKS-E1, LKS-E3, LKS-M3, SNT-R5, LKS-4105, AMR-BLS

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

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Firefighters Jump on "Anderson Hill" Vegetation Fire

Lakeside-

On Wednesday, August 7th, 2013 at 2:37 PM, the Lakeside Fire Protection District received 911 calls about a vegetation fire in the 12300 block of Lakeside Avenue. The fire was established at the base of "Anderson Hill" on the south facing slope. One brush engine, two structural engines, a water tender, ALS medic unit, and two Lakeside staff officers were sent to the fire.

Fire burning uphill from Lakeside Ave.

On the arrival of fire units from the nearby River Park Fire Station they discovered a fire burning in light grassy fuels. Crews quickly surrounded the fire and control was established at 2:46 PM. The fire burned less than an acre.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. A total of 8 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photo By: Fire Chief Andy Parr, Lakeside Fire Protection District

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Vehicle Catapults off Highway 67

Foster-

A driver traveling north on Highway 67 suddenly found himself 150’ below the freeway when he lost control of his vehicle at the top of Slaughterhouse Grade. On Monday, June 17, 2013 at 8:36 AM, the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call from witnesses that saw the car depart the roadway. Two structural engines, one rescue company, one ALS medic unit, and a duty chief were dispatched to the incident in the 13100 blk of Highway 67.

Lakeside Fire crews prepare to carry out the victim in a stokes basket.

On the arrival of the Lakeside duty chief (Laff), he located the vehicle below the highway and directed firefighters from the River Park station into an area to attempt access from a nearby residence. The crew from Engine 2 and Medic 3 accessed the area on foot and initiated an assessment on the single occupant who had suffered moderate injuries.

Lakeside firefighters hike the patient out to an awaiting medic unit.

With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) firefighters attached a wheel to the stokes basket and accessed the scene. The patient was carefully removed from the area and transported by paramedics to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center for further evaluation.

CHP is currently investigating the incident.

A total of 12 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 
Photo By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire District
 
View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Motorcyclist Flown to Trauma Center from Lakeside

El Monte:  Lakeside firefighters were called on the evening of May 17, 2013 for reports of a motorcyclist that had crashed off road in the El Monte valley and was in need of medical assistance.  Lakeside E3 and M3 were dispatched and with the assistance of the SDSO and the CHP were able to locate the patient in an off road area.  The patient.was determined to be a major trauma and with a prolonged extrication time to overcome the crews decided Mercy Air should be utilized for patient transportation.  E2 was in the area and made access to El Monte Park to land Mercy Air 6.

Mercy Air 6 on the ground

The flight crew was on the ground and able to quickly take the patient turnover and begin transport to the helicopter when M3 arrived with the patient.  The patient was then transported to an area trauma center by Mercy Air 6.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

The combination of the fire department ALS transport and Mercy Air 6 ensured the patient was in a trauma center within the critical "golden hour".

Story By: Captain Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District
Pictures By: Chief Andrew Parr, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Collides with Structure

Lakeside, CA -   On Friday May 17, 2013, Lakeside Firefighters were called to the scene of a vehicle that had collided with a structure in the downtown Lakeside Post office parking lot.  Lakeside Engine 2 and Engine 1 arrived on scene to investigate the incident.

The vehicle came to rest on the pylon 

It was determined that the vehicle was backing out of a parking spot when it collided with another vehicle and ended up on top of a concrete pylon.  The vehicle damaged the structure that houses the Curves Fitness Club.

The damage on the exterior extended to the inside of the building

There were no injuries involved in the incident.  CHP and SDSO were on scene to conduct the accident investigation.



Photos and Story by:  Captain Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District

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

Early Morning Fire Displaces Family

Lakeside:

On February 22, 2013, firefighters responded to an early morning report of a residential structure fire in the 10000 block of River Street in Lakeside. Lakeside Engine 2, which was the closest unit to the fire, reported smoke showing from their station as they were responding to the incident. Firefighters immediately knew there would be a substantial fire given that smoke was visible from this far away. When E2 arrived a few minutes later they reported they were on scene at a single family occupancy with heavy smoke and fire showing from the front of the building.

The structure after the main fire had been contained

Lakeside E1 and M2 arrived just behind E2 and assisted pulling off hoselines to begin a rapid attack on the fire. Additional resources begin arriving at the scene to assist in the fire attack, including El Cajon Battalion 3, Santee Engine 4, Santee Truck 4 and Lakeside Engine 3 and Lakeside Battalion 1.  This incident, like all other incidents in east county, received the closest units to the address at the time of the fire.  

Hoselines entering through the window

When a fire is dispatched at this time of the morning fire crews primary concern is that there maybe occupants in in the home.  Overnight fires tend to catch residents asleep in their beds so their reaction is slower to the fire, especially if there are no smoke detectors in the home.  When crews arrived at this fire  the first priority was rescuing any occupation that may be home. At this fire, however, there was so much fire coming from the building that it had to be knocked down before crews could make entry.  Once inside the structure teams were able to conduct a primary search for people in the building. The SDSO was  on scene by this point and had tied-in with the Incident commander to confirm that the family had been accounted for and was out of the structure. Unfortunately, a family pet did succumb to the fire.

The extent of the burning can be seen in this picture

The progress of the fire was stopped quickly after the engine companies arrived on scene but there was extensive damage done to the structure. Due to the lath and plaster construction of this occupancy there was expensive overhaul involved in making sure that all of the hidden fires within the structure were put out.  

The cause of the fire, as reported by several media outlets, was a space heater in one of the front bedroom of the home.  This fire displaced one family and a family pet died in the blaze.  One of the residents of the home was transported to an area hospital for assessment.

The structure after all overhaul was completed

Photos and Story By: Captain Bernie Molloy

Media coverage of the incident with fire footage: