Around 70 firefighters worked hard throughout the day Sunday to fully contain a brush fire along I-15 and Gopher Canyon Road. It's been a busy week for firefighters; this is just one of several vegetation fires across the county. Very warm and dry conditions have not been helping. Crews were attacking from the air and ground as the brush fire quickly grew to around 28 acres. "At the peak of the fire there were eight homes that were considered threatened. None of them were evacuated. We have resources at each home and engaged in structure protection," said Cal Fire spokesman Isaac Sanchez said.
Traffic on I-15 near Gopher Canyon Road was at a standstill for more than an hour. CALTRANS closed lanes after a power pole with power lines stretched across the freeway was damaged. It's one of many vegetation fires within the last week. Sanchez added, “this appears to be our new normal right now. San Diego County is extremely dry, it's ready to burn. Normally by now we've gotten a little bit of rain, that simply hasn't happened."
A brush fire erupted on Thursday in Mission Valley. Several apartments were just feet away. Neighbors were taking in every moment until crews were able to get it under control. Also, on Thursday, there was a fire in a residential area of Julian. On Saturday, there was another brush fire along Interstate 163 and Genesee. Fire crews know that high fire season is nowhere near being done. Sunday's fire north of Escondido is a perfect example. "We're still sitting on the conditions that we were sitting on in the beginning of the summer. Excessively dry dead fuel and all it needs is a spark," said Sanchez.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital with a shoulder injury. That firefighter has since been released will be okay. Crews are expected to be at the scene through Monday evening checking for hot spots and to make sure this fire is completely out.
