Multi-Agency Response Holds Vegetation Fire to Half Acre

Glenview-

On Thursday, October 13th, 2011 at 7:50am, the Heartland Communications Center started to receive multiple calls about a vegetation fire in the area of Highway 8 Business and Aurora Drive. The initial response included engines from Lakeside, El Cajon, and CalFire.

Firefighters from Lakeside and CalFire stop forward fire spread on Division Zulu.

On the arrival of Battalion 1 (Laff) a "large spot" of heavy vegetation was burning up slope through an open field that lies between the interstate and Highway 8 Business. Additional brush engines and aerial support was requested. This sent additional equipment from Lakeside, San Miguel Fire Districts, and Copter 10 and 12.

Initially progress was slow due to steep terrain, but crews later used ladders to access the fire area. Although weather conditions were ideal for a fire, the lack of winds kept the fire spread to a minimum. Eventually crews were able to stop forward progress at a half acre. Crews were then tasked with cutting a fire control line around the perimeter.

Witnesses were able to identify a suspect in connection with the fire. Sheriff deputies arrested the suspect near the scene.

Dispatched Lakeside units: E3 (Lake Jennings), BR26 (Blossom Valley), B1, BR2 (Eucalyptus Hills), 4103, El Cajon units: E8 (Madison Ave), CalFire units: 3382 (Flinn Springs), San Miguel units: BR23 (Dehesa Rd).

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

What are Divisions?

Divisions are geographical segments of a vegetation fire. Breaking the fire down into these smaller segments makes managing the fire more effective as the Incident Commander only needs to communicate with a limited number of managers. As the fire grows in size additional Divisions can be assigned.

Typically when an initial commander pulls up to the fire the left flank is known as Alpha, while the right flank is called Zulu....