Vehicle-Sparked Cluster Of Fires Burns 50 Acres In San Diego County

LAWSON VALLEY, CA — A vehicle-sparked cluster of brush fires that blackened 50 acres and forced evacuations of rural homes in eastern San Diego County was 75% contained Saturday and its progress was stopped, as authorities lifted a remaining evacuation warning.

On Friday, crews continued to construct and strengthen containment lines while searching for and extinguishing hot spots within the perimeter of the Springs Fire, according to Cal Fire San Diego.

Late Friday morning, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office downgraded the evacuation orders closest to the fires — in an area roughly bounded by Lawson Peak and Wisecarver Truck Trail to the north; Carveacre Road to the east; Lyons Valley Road to the south; and Skyline Truck Trail to the west — to warning status, and rescinded the other orders and warnings, clearing the way for all displaced residents to return to their homes.

Along with lifting the evacuation warning on Saturday, sheriff's officials thanked residents for their cooperation.

"Please be mindful of firefighters who are still working in the area," the Sheriff's Office said on X.

No structural damage or injuries have been reported.

Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson said crews would remain at the scene and extinguish hot spots.

"It is looking good up there, and hopefully we can get 100% containment in the near future," Johnson added.

The three wildland blazes erupted in close proximity to each other shortly before 6:30 p.m. Thursday in steep, rocky terrain near the intersection of Honey Springs and Lyons Valley roads in Lawson Valley, east of Jamul, Cal Fire said.

Finding pieces of a failed catalytic converter at the fire scene, investigators concluded the exhaust system of an automobile had ignited the blazes, the state agency reported.

Johnson reminded the public how important proper vehicle maintenance is in terms of fire prevention, such as ensuring that towing chains don't drag on the ground, as that can cause sparks.

Ground crews and personnel aboard water-dropping helicopters were able to halt the spread of the smallest of the fires within 90 minutes, Johnson said. The other two, which soon merged into a single blaze, accounted for most of the size of the combined burn area, Johnson said.

Another update on the fire was planned for Saturday evening, Cal Fire said.

City News Service