Fire burns 54 acres in De Luz

When fire hit the rural community of De Luz Canyon on Monday at approximately 1:45 p.m., over 200 firefighters responded to the emergency and residents rallied together to minimize damage.

When the first plumes of smoke could be seen, several local residents were the first to respond to the scene located roughly one mile north of the Welburn Gourd Farm. With temperatures in the mid-90s and the dry terrain, little could be done without water.

The blaze moved south at a rapid pace, racing toward Dancing Spirit Ranch. Three homes, two outbuildings and livestock were saved thanks to the combined efforts of local residents and the quick response of firefighters from the California Department of Forestry (CDF), the De Luz Volunteer Fire Department, North County Fire and the US Forest Service.

Fifty-four acres were burned by the time hand crews and air support were able to gain the upper hand and stop the fire near Tenaja Truck Trail. While helicopters and bombers attacked the burn with water and fire retardant, hand crews set backfires to eliminate fuel. These techniques led to full containment of the fire by Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.

A CDF representative reported that one firefighter sustained minor injury (smoke inhalation) but did not require transport to a medical facility.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.