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. 

"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 Fire Working Vegetation Fire near Los Coches and Interstate 8

Lakeside:

At approximately 11:17 on August 17, 2013 Lakeside Units along with Units from CalFire and Heartland Fire are in the process of working a vegetation fire in the area of Los Coches Rd. and Interstate 8.  The fire is located on the south side of the freeway and moving into the areas of La Cresta Rd.  Residents in the area should be aware that there will be a large number of fire suppression vehicles on the streets in this area.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map


To listen to the radio traffic from the fire you can hear it here:

http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/9733/web


More updates will be posted as information becomes available.

UPDATE:

The forward progress of the fire has been stopped.  There will be extensive mop up operations continuing for several hours.

Lakeside Firefighters Assist El Cajon with Vehicle Rescue

El Cajon, CA -

Firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) assisted units from El Cajon Fire on a rescue vehicle accident early on the morning of December 24, 2011. The crew from Engine 3 arrived just after 4:30 a.m. for a vehicle that left westbound Interstate 8 near Greenfield Dr. ending up in a concrete drainage ditch. Subsequent responding units were directed to access the scene through Circle RV Park on East Main Street. One vehicle occupant was extricated by firefighters. Despite the high-speed and obvious vehicle damage, both occupants appeared to have minor injuries. Other units attending this incident included B3, E8, M8, and T6. CHP is investigating the crash.

Vehicle sustained major damage.

Story Submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Units Assist El Cajon with Vehicle Rescue

El Cajon - On Thursday, October 14th, 2010 at 12:02 p.m., the Heartland Communications Center dispatched two structural engines, an ALS medic unit, and battalion chief to westbound Interstate 8 just west of 2nd Street, for a vehicle that had left the freeway and was now at the bottom of a flood control channel. Initial reports had indicated that the vehicle was also on fire.

On the arrival of Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station), they discovered a sedan at the bottom of Forester Creek. Bystanders had climbed into the channel to assist the occupants and extinguished a small fire. Because of the location a rescue unit was requested for their technical rescue equipment. Rescue 18 (San Miguel Fire, Crest Station) was dispatched to the incident.

On the arrival of Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 26s (Blossom Valley Station), they accessed the channel and initiated advanced life support for a patient with traumatic injuries. Battalion 3, Chief Snow (Heartland Fire Rescue Department) took over the incident command role.

Lakeside Fire Engineer Joe Vasquez and Firefighter Nate Fox remove equipment from Forester Creek after the victims had been transported.

A second patient was located so a request for an additional ALS medic unit was made. Medic 5 (Santee Fire, Carlton Hills) was dispatched to transport one of the patients to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center.

A system of ropes and ladders was constructed and both victims were removed from the scene. Medic 3 transported the second patient to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center also.

Units on scene:

Battalion 3: Heartland Fire Rescue Department
Engine 3: Lakeside
Engine 26s: Lakeside
Rescue 18: San Miguel
Medic 3: Lakeside
Medic 5: Santee

This is another example of the efficient automatic aid system that benefits the citizens throughout the Heartland area.

CHP is currently investigating the accident. CalTrans crews responded immediately to replace fencing damaged in the incident.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District