Lakeside Fire Crews Kept Busy with Multiple Vegetation Fires

Lakeside, CA -

Lakeside fire crews had an unusually busy day on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, when a rash of vegetation fires occurred in the Glenview area of Lakeside.

At 4:46 p.m., firefighters responded to a vegetation fire in the creek bed in the area of Los Coches Rd and Via Diego. The fire burned out a swath of heavy fuel on the west side of Los Coches Rd and skirted behind the homes located on Calle Lucia. Crews were able to quickly control the flames with no damage to nearby structures.

At 8:26 p.m., crews received a call for another vegetation fire on the east side of Los Coches Rd near Via Diego. Firefighters worked their way into the area to discover a new fire area with a nearby spot fire. Fire managers requested additional assistance which brought units from CalFire, Alpine Fire, and Sycuan Fire. Fortunately, crews were able to quickly control the fire without local damage.

Then, at 6:21 a.m., on Thursday morning, crews received a report of another fire in the creek area off of the 13700 block of Highway 8 Business. Due to the damp morning conditions the fire was held to a small spot and was quickly controlled.

An early morning fire smolders in the moist air. Under different conditions this fire could have been much worse.

All the fires are currently under investigation and while no connection has been established between the three fires, local residents are always asked to be vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.
Photo By: Fire Captain Eric Stamm, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Assists CAL Fire with Multi-Patient Accident on Dehesa

Dehesa-

On Sunday, October 13th, 2013 at 8:13 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received an automatic aid request to respond Rescue 3 to the area of Dehesa Rd and Matamo Pl. Initial reports indicated a high-speed head-on collision with multiple injured parties. Dispatched to the incident were three structural engines, two rescue companies, one ALS medic unit, and a CAL Fire duty chief.

Firefighter-Paramedics from multiple agencies work to stabilize a critically injured occupant. The red fluid on the ground is automatic transmission fluid.

With the arrival of Engine 23 (San Miguel Fire-Dehesa Station) they indicated a number of moderately (to severely) injured parties with an entrapment. The process of sorting, and treating, the victims began. Command was assumed by a CAL Fire chief officer where the task of organizing the incident was initiated.

Type of damage that results from a high speed head-on collision. Note the deployed airbag.

On the arrival of Engine 63 and Medic 63 (Sycuan Fire) extrication, and treatment of the victims, continued. The crew from Engine 63 was able to free the trapped victim with rescue tools carried on the engine.  The crew from Rescue 3 was assigned to assist with the treatment of a critically injured patient.

A request was made for Mercy Air to respond and transport the critically injured victim to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

The crew from Engine 19 (San Miguel-Bostonia) stands-by while Mercy Air lifts off for Sharp Memoial.

This incident is another example how automatic-aid works to not only manage fire incidents but any incident that requires a coordinated effort.

Units assisting San Miguel/CAL Fire were Sycuan Fire Department, Lakeside Fire District, and American Medical Response, and Mercy Air

Photos and Submission By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Vegetation Fire Threatens Structures in Lakeside

Glenview-

On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 2:14 p.m., the Heartland Communications Center began to receive emergency calls about a vegetation fire in the 12900 blk of Highway 8 Business. Initially dispatched were two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS medic unit, and two duty chiefs.

Fire starting to make the uphill run from Highway 8 Business.

As firefighters were en-route, additional calls were received stating the fire was quickly growing in size. Responding units could see a building column of smoke so a request was made for additional engines and the helicopter out of Gillespie Field.

With the arrival of the first Lakeside duty chief (Tockstein) about a quarter acre had been consumed and the fire was making a hard push to the east. It soon became evident that this fire was likely to get much larger, and eventually threaten structures. A request was made for an immediate need brush strike team, and a strike team of structural engines.

In addition a request was made for the water tender out of Sycuan and the Lakeside Logistic Volunteers (4140).

The fire continued on an easterly path making a run towards Interstate 8 and the homes off of Amelia Drive. The decision was made to evacuate structures on Amelia Drive, so San Diego County Sheriff Deputies went door-to-door notifying the residents of the approaching fire.

Structural engines were sent to threatened structures on Amelia Drive and Cindy Lynn Lane. The fire bumped a number of structures but pre-positioned companies were able to quick knock down the flames. Some out-buildings received damage but no residential structures were lost. Much of the credit goes to the property owners, and CalTrans, who created defensible space between their homes and the fuels. Had the fuel been allowed to grow unchecked it's likely there would have been significant structural losses.

Fire heading towards structures on Amelia Drive.

Firefighters were also sent to Interstate 8. There was some concern that the fire could spot over the freeway and get established on the south side of the freeway.  Lakeside entered into Unified Command with CalFire (Howell) due to the threat to the State Responsibility Land.

With the arrival of San Diego County Copter 10 and 12, a number of precision drops slowed the forward progress towards the homes. Ground crews were able to eventually surround the fire and at 3:56 p.m. the fire was declared "contained." A CalFire bulldozer and hand crews cut line around the fire.

Two firefighters were transported to local hospitals with heat related injuries. The fire has held to 18 acres.

Note the defensible space.

Lakeside Fire was assisted by: CalFire, Heartland Fire-Rescue, Sycuan Fire, and Santee Fire. This is another example how automatic and mutual aid works to protect all citizens in San Diego County.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photos By: Fire Chief Andy Parr, Lakeside Fire District
Video By: Bill Prorok

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map