Alpine Structure Fire Brings Multi-Agency Response

Alpine-

On the morning of December 24th, 2013 at 8:15 a.m., a commuter on the interstate noticed a large amount of smoke in the area of western Alpine. A call was made to 911 and an Alpine engine company was dispatched to find the source of the smoke. As crews accessed the area it was obvious this was a working structure fire in the 400 blk of Arnold Way. A request was made to upgrade the call which brought a response from Lakeside, Viejas, San Miguel, CalFire, and the USFS.

Alpine crews prepare to make entry into the structure.

A total five engine companies, one truck company, one ALS medic unit, and three chief officers were dispatched to the incident..

As Alpine crews pulled hose lines they were met with a well advancing interior fire that had already spread to the attic space. Lakeside crews went to the roof and performed ventilation, while other crews pulled additional line to back-up the Alpine crew.

Firefighter Brent Watte, and Fire Engineer Nate Fox cut back roofing material looking for hidden fire.

Crews conducted an immediate search and fortunately found no occupants in the structure. It was later learned that the occupant was not at home and was contacted at another location.

Fire Engineer Shaun McKenna coordinates with ground crews to make sure no material from the roof is dropped on interior crews.

Crews continued the task of salvage and overhaul well into the late morning hours. These fires are fine examples of the automatic aid agreements that bring the closest resources to the scene.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Quick Multi-Agency Response Stops Fast Moving Brush Fire

Lakeside, CA -

A coordinated, multi-agency response from the ground and air held a fast-moving brush fire to 10 acres in Lakeside on Saturday, August 17, 2013. Heartland Communications received multiple calls for a fire in the vegetation just east of Greenfield Drive on the south side of Interstate 8 at 11:17 a.m. With a large column of smoke visible from a distance, Heartland Fire-Rescue Battalion 3 (Drum) requested additional resources including aircraft while enroute the fire.

Firefighters were deployed to hoselays on the north and south flanks of the fire and additional engines were committed to the Valley View Truck Trail behind the Vons/Walmart shopping center to stop the forward progress of the blaze as it crested the ridgeline. CalFire air tankers made several retardant drops to help slow the progress of the fire and allow ground forces to get a line around it. San Diego County Copters 10 and 12 made water drops to help ground crews extinguish the flames. Additional engines were assigned to defend structures in the area of Lotus Lane.

This incident involved resources from many agencies working together seamlessly within unified Incident Command. The following agencies participated in helping stop this dangerous fire: Lakeside Fire, CalFire, Heartland Fire-Rescue, Santee Fire, Barona Fire, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fire.

Fire crests the ridge behind WalMart.

Firefighters on Division "D" mopping-up.

CalFire handcrew punches-in handline on Division "A."

CalFire Dozer 3342 ties his dozer line into Valley View Truck trail.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire
Photos by: Engineer Robert Williams, Firefighter Paramedic Kyle Zauss, Lakeside Fire

Lakeside Firefighters Assist with Vegetation Fire

El Monte Valley -

A fast-moving vegetation fire drew a multi-agency response to Lakeside on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Firefighters from Lakeside, Santee, CalFire, and U.S. Forest Service were alerted just after 1:00 p.m. for the fire in steep, rugged terrain just northwest of the El Capitan Reservoir dam.

Because of the difficult access, ground resources assigned to the fire were limited to Type III (wildland) engines, water tenders, and hand crews. Firefighters were assigned to put in two hoselays that extended several thousand feet up the side of El Cajon Mountain. Both hoselays were supported by handcrews including several Interagency Hotshot Crews.

A CalFire S2T makes a steep decent to make a drop on the western perimeter of the fire.

In addition to the ground forces assigned to this incident, several air tankers and helicopters made both fire retardant and water drops to keep the fire in check until ground crews could put in fire line.

The fire was managed utilizing unified command due to the multijurisdictional response. The lead agency was the U.S. Forest Service as the fire was within the boundaries of the Cleveland National Forest.

Lakeside units assigned to this incident included: Chief 4101 (Parr), Division 4105 (Tockstein), Brush 1, Water Tender 7251.

Fire viewed from Blossom Valley. Note the very rugged terrain.

The "Peutz Fire" followed the same basic footprint as the "El Monte Fire" back in 2010

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photo by: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Assists CAL FIRE on Brush Fire in Barona

Barona-

On Monday, May 13th, 2013 at 3:14 PM, a high wildland was dispatched by the Heartland Communications Center to a brush fire burning at the 8.5 mile maker of Wildcat Canyon Rd. Included in this dispatch was three brush engines, four structural engines, one ALS medic unit, a water tender, and two chief officers. Concurrently CAL FIRE was sending a large contingency of engines and aerial support.

Fire burns in a stand of old oak trees on the south side of Wildcat Canyon Rd.

Helicopters making a series of water drops allowed crew to put in control lines.

The first arriving Incident Commander (Kremensky-Barona) reported about five acres on fire, and that it had jumped Wildcat Canyon Rd.

As engine companies arrived they took up position on the flanks of the fire to establish control lines. With the arrival of fixed wing, and helicopter support, they proceeded to take the heat out of the fire which allowed crews time to surround the fire.

Crews from Santee, El Cajon, and Lakeside assisted CAL FIRE and USFS crews with a hose lay in steep terrain.

Lakeside Fire Engineer Steve Schleif cools down hot spots high above Wildcat Canyon Rd.

 Due to the steep terrain, and mop-up needs, most crews were committed for 5-6 hours. Final fire size was estimated at 15 acres.

Lakeside sent four engines and a water tender for a total of 12 personnel. Lakeside stations were covered by other Central Zone partners.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

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

Multiple Fires Along I-8 Brings Multi-Agency Response

Alpine, CA -

Multiple small brush fires along Interstate Highway 8 brought a multi-agency response on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Four separate fires were reported between Dunbar Lane and Tavern Road just after 2:30 p.m. Alpine Battalion 7 (Rushing) requested a high-wildland resource dispatch and along with Alpine 4701 (Paskle), coordinated the placement of incoming fire units to handle the four simultaneous fires. Additional chief officers from Lakeside, CalFire, and U.S. Forest Service responded to assist Tavern Incident Command with the direction of the numerous fire units assigned to the fires.

While the fires were relatively small in size, the smoke blowing across both east and westbound lanes created a real hazard for drivers on I-8.  Heartland Fire Communications dispatched Central Zone firefighters from Lakeside (B1, Br2, Br26, E3), Viejas (E25, Br225), Alpine (E17), San Miguel (E19), and El Cajon (E8). Additional resources responded from CalFire, U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and San Diego County Fire Authority. Two water-dropping helicopters were also assigned to the fires.

The rapid response and quick coordination of the assigned resources kept these fires from becoming a potentially much larger blaze.

Lakeside Engine 3 operates on I-8.

Lakeside Firefighter Shawn McKenna cutting line with a chainsaw.

Lakeside Engineer-Paramedic Chris Downing mops-up one of the fires.

Photos and story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

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

Fall Into Los Coches Creek Results in Injuries

Flinn Springs: On Sunday, May 22, 2011, at 4:24p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a call of a juvenile that had fallen into Los Coches Creek inside of Flinn Springs Park. A rescue company and ALS medic unit were sent to the scene. En route, crews received an update that the USFS Laguna Hotshots were on-scene with the patient.

Crews from Lakeside and the Laugna Hotshots work to stabilize the patient.

On arrival, crews met with members of the hotshot crew and received a status update. EMT's on the hotshot crew had accessed the area and initiated an assessment and treatment of the patient. It was determined that the patient had potential spinal injuries and a possible arm fracture. Also complicating matters was the patient's partial submersion in cold water which can quickly result in hypothermia.

The patient is removed from the area and taken to the awaiting medic unit for transport.

After stabilization, both the Lakeside and USFS crews lifted the patient out of the rough terrain which consists of large boulders. The patient was transported via Lakeside Medic 3 to Children's Trauma for evaluation.

It was fortunate for this patient that the Laguna Hotshots happened to be near the incident and could immediately start patient care.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

El Monte Fire Spreads Towards Cleveland National Forest

El Monte Valley: On Saturday, August 21st, 2010 at 12:58 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received multiple calls reporting a vegetation fire in the 16400 block of El Monte Rd. Two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS ambulance, and a battalion chief were dispatched to the incident. In addition, both CalFire and USFS sent full wildland responses including air assets from Ramona and Gillispie Field.

The fire scene from one of the first due engine companies.

First arriving units discovered a well establish fire on the north side of El Monte Rd at the base of El Cajon Mountain. The fire was making hard runs up the hillside with spot fires out in front of the fire. In addition, the fire was threatening structures along El Monte Rd, and at the base of the El Capitan Reservoir.

Crews were deployed to protect the threatened structures while crews on the brush engines took action on the fire. Soon after these operations began, the Incident Commander (Tockstein) was advised of eight people trapped by the fire in an area between El Cajon Mountain and El Capitan Reservoir. A request was made to have the SDSO Copter fly into the area and evacuate the residents. Copter 10 removed 8 occupants and some domestic animals from the area.

The communications center then received a cell phone call from climbers on the cliff face stating that the fire had surrounded them and their egress had been cut off. The SDSO copter flew into the area and soon located two climbers in extreme terrain. Both hikers were hoisted into the helicopter and removed from the area. In total, the SDSO copters removed 10 people from the fire area.

Lakeside firefighters evaluate the approaching "head" of the fire.

The fire continued to advance in a northwesterly direction into rugged terrain. The fire eventually burned into an area at the base of El Capitan Reservoir which has multiple sheds and storage areas. Crews protected the majority of the structures but the fire did advance into an area containing PVC and ABS pipes. Brush 18 (San Miguel Fire) was requested to utilize a specialized foam system to suppress the plastics fire.

The fire hits the base of the El Capitan Dam. Lakeside crews hurry into defensive positions to protect the structures.

By evening, the forward progress of the fire had been stopped by ground crews and aerial resources. The "uneasy" control line held into the evening, allowing crews time to work the fire overnight. At last report, the fire had consumed just over 1000 acres. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Lakeside and San Miguel firefighters work to extinguish a fire burning in PVC and ABS pipes.

During the incident, boaters were evacuated to the marina to allow aircraft to use the lake as a water source. El Monte County Park is currently being used as the base camp for the duration of the fire. El Monte Road was closed during the incident and continues to be subject to closure.

Fire map as of Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Submitted: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.

Coordinated Attack Holds Fire to Three Acres in Moreno Valley

Moreno Valley: On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 5:45 PM, the Heartland Communications Center received multiple reports of a vegetation fire in the area of San Vicente Ave and Topo Lane. The initial response included 3 structural engine companies, 2 brush companies, 2 chief officers, and an ALS medic unit. In addition, a full response was sent by CalFire including air assets from the Ramona and Gillespie Field Air Bases.

Crews put in a hose-lay on the northern boundary of the fire. 

On the arrival of Battalion One (Battalion Chief Laff), about one acre had been consumed and the fire was running towards the hills that line the eastern border of Moreno Valley. On the arrival of Engine 1, Medic 1 (Riverview Station), and Brush 2 (Eucalyptus Hills Station), a hose-lay was established to keep the fire out of heavier fuels to the north of the fire. Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and E4 with Brush 4 (Santee-Cottonwood Station) established a hose lay to control the eastward advance of the fire. The hose-lays were soon backed up by CalFire and USFS ground crews.

Capt Brad Peterson (Santee Fire) working the crew on Division Alpha

The fire had advanced to the base of the steep hills. Fortunately the fixed wing aircraft had arrived and an airdrop was made that essentially stopped the forward progress of the fire. Copters 538 (Ramona) and Copter 10 (Gillespie) made additional drops to make certain the fire's progress had stopped.

Lakeside Firefighter Bryan Peters chasing down the head of the fire on Division Alpha

Fire Engineer Steve Schleif keeps an eye open for approaching aircraft. Crews have a healthy respect for safety when working around air assets.

The cause of this fire is under investigation. Agencies on-scene include Lakeside, Santee, and CalFire, and USFS.

Copter 538 "slinging" water into the fire.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Vegetation Fire on Slaughterhouse Grade

Foster: On Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at 1200 hrs, the Heartland Communications Center received 911 calls about multiple fires starting near the top of Slaughterhouse Grade on Highway 67. Heartland dispatched two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS ambulance, and a Battalion Chief to the incident. Crews quickly saw the smoke from two different fires in the area. In addition to the Heartland response CalFire had a full response enroute, including air assets from Ramona and Gillispie Field. Commanders ordered an additional strike team from the USFS.

Lakeside Fire Crews starting a hoselay on Division Zulu.

Fire Chief Andy Parr arrived first and reported on two fires that were well established on the east side of the highway, making a run towards San Vicente Reservoir. Lakeside Battalion Chief Ron Laff arrived and assumed "Slaughterhouse IC." On the arrival of the CalFire overhead a Unified Command was established and CalFire Battalion Chief Mike White assumed "Operations."

Crews worked in some rough country. The hillside got even steeper than this area.

Given the proximity of the two fires, and the direction of travel, it was determined that the two fires would ultimately burn together. Engine crews established hoselays on the northern and southern perimeter, and with the assistance of the air tankers and helicopters, the fire progress was slowed.

Division Alpha initiates a hoselay on the north boundary of the fire.

Crews laid out in excess of  6000 feet of hose, in extreme country, to surround the fire. About 30 acres of vegetation were consumed in this fire.

The steep terrain required hands and feet in many areas.

Divisions Alpha and Zulu meet to contain the fire overlooking the San Vicente reservoir.

CalFire brought in a dozer and handcrews to establish physical control lines. CalFire is investigating the cause of the fire.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District