Two Brush Fires Spark in Oceanside, One Damaging Solar Project

Two separate brush fires struck different parts of Oceanside on Tuesday. 

An overnight brush fire near the Oceanside Water Treatment Facility damaged a solar project in the area and came within about 100 feet of homes, authorities said Wednesday.

The noninjury blaze erupted in the 3900 block of North River Road about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to Oceanside Battalion Chief Bill Kogerman. It was declared under control 90 minutes later, he said in a statement.

"Access to the fire was initially difficult, causing (fire personnel) to have a delayed response time," Kogerman said. "Structures were threatened on Plumosa Street as the fire came to within 100 feet of the homes, but firefighters were successful in protecting them."

Cal Fire hand crews assisted Oceanside fire by quickly removing trees and brush near the fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Witnesses reported seeing a flare in the area before the fire erupted, Kogerman said.

In the other incident, authorities said they are investigating what sparked a three-acre brush fire in Oceanside that briefly threatened commercial structures, according.

The blaze in the area of Benet Road, just north of Highway 76, erupted about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to Kogerman. It took about 80 firefighters more than an hour to gain control over the flames, he said in a statement.

Though commercial structures near the Oceanside airport were briefly threatened, no buildings were damaged and no one was hurt, Kogerman said.

– City News Service contributed to this report.