Cal Fire: Boys Playing With Lighter Sparked Lakeside Fire

The brush fire burned nearly 30 acres on Sunday near Aquilla Drive

Cal Fire officials have confirmed that Sunday’s brush fire in Lakeside sparked as a result of two young boys playing with a lighter.

Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler told NBC 7 San Diego that two boys – ages 10 and 11 – were playing with a lighter near vegetation. Their activity sparked the Aquilla Fire, which burned nearly 30 acres and briefly threatened homes.

Capt. Mohler said that upon completion of the investigation, officials will determine whether they will hold the parents of the boys responsible for the costs and resources used to fight the fire.

The blaze began around 10 a.m. Sunday in a canyon near the 10000-block of Aquilla Drive and State Route 67.

Dozens upon dozens of firefighters responded and crews had the fire completely contained by 2 p.m. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

Following the blaze, Cal Fire Chief Ray Chaney said containment efforts were quick and swift due to a lot of extra, careful preparation. State and local fire agencies had extra resources on hand over the weekend due to the dangerous, red flag fire conditions.

β€œWe did mobilize and position a great many resources in Southern California, so this fire is benefiting from this,” Chaney said at the scene.

The Aquilla Fire in Lakeside sparked just one day after a large fire -- dubbed the "DeLuz Fire" -- scorched approximately 2,236 acres on Camp Pendleton, forcing evacuations of some housing units on base.

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