Update on Deer Fire, suspected cause

The brush fire near Deer Springs was 80% contained today after shutting down the southbound Interstate 15 freeway, officials said.

The fire started around 11:30 a.m. near I-15 and Deer Springs Road, the California Highway Patrol reported.

There was an early report that the fire was holding at 25 acres from Southern California Air Operations, but Cal Fire San Diego spokesman Thomas Shoots said the correct acreage burned was seven acres, not 25.

Fire investigators found debris from a faulty catalytic converter in the area, which is suspected to be the cause of the fire, Shoots said.

"Overnight, crews were able to increase containment to 80%. We will remain at scene today to continue mopping-up and containing the fire,'' Cal Fire San Diego tweeted at 8 a.m. Sunday.

At least four North County firefighting agencies and one from Riverside County joined Cal Fire to fight the fire, including the Escondido,

San Marcos and North County fire departments, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Pechenga Fire Department from Riverside County.

So Cal Air Operations tweeted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday that air tankers and ground sources were released, transitioning to patrol status. One copter continued to assist ground crews with hot spots.

Two lanes of southbound I-15 south of Gopher Canyon Road were reopened, Caltrans San Diego reported.

There was no immediate threat to structures, according to the San Marcos Fire Department.

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UPDATE 8:30 PM According to CalFire the fire is currently 75% contained. Crews will continue to mop-up and construct containment line into the evening. They are encouraging everyone to please drive with caution.

UPDATE 4pm:

SAN DIEGO - A brush fire burned seven acres northwest of Escondido today, shutting down the southbound Interstate 15 freeway, according to multiple North County fire agencies.

The fire started around 11:30 a.m. near I-15 and Deer Springs Road, the California Highway Patrol reported.

There was an early report that the fire was holding at 25 acres from Southern California Air Operations, but Cal Fire San Diego spokesman Thomas

Shoots said the correct acreage burned was seven acres, not 25.

Fire investigators found debris from a faulty catalytic converter in the area, which is suspected to be the cause of the fire, Shoots said.

At least four North County firefighting agencies and one from Riverside County joined Cal Fire to fight the fire, including the Escondido, San Marcos and North County fire departments, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Pechenga Fire Department from Riverside County.

So Cal Air Operations tweeted at 2:30 p.m. that air tankers and ground sources were released, transitioning to patrol status this evening. One copter continued to assist ground crews with hot spots.

Cal Fire said crews were expecting to stay on the scene well into the evening.

Two lanes of southbound I-15 south of Gopher Canyon Road were reopened said Caltrans San Diego.

There was no immediate threat to structures, according to the San Marcos Fire Department.

Winds in the area were gusting at around 15 mph, the National Weather Service said.

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North County Brush Fire Burns 25 Acres, Shuts Down I-15

SAN DIEGO - A brush fire burned 25 acres northwest of Escondido today, shutting down the southbound Interstate 15 freeway, according to

multiple North County fire agencies. As of 3:30 pm 2 lanes on I-15 SB are open.

The fire started around 11:30 a.m. near I-15 and Deer Springs Road, the California Highway Patrol reported.

``Air Attack 504 advising the fire is holding at 25 acres, with air tankers released and ground sources released, transitioning to patrol status

this evening. One copter continues to assist ground crews with hot spots,'' Southern California Air Operations tweeted at around 2:30 p.m.

At 1:44 p.m., Cal Fire reported the fire had grown to seven acres and crews were expecting to stay on the scene well into the evening.

All lanes of southbound I-15 south of Gopher Canyon Road were closed at 1:23 p.m., said Caltrans San Diego. Traffic was being diverted off the

freeway at Gopher Canyon Road.

There was no immediate threat to structures, according to the San Marcos Fire Department.

Winds in the area were gusting at around 15 mph, the National Weather Service said.

Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.

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UPDATE: Deer Springs fire has SB I-15 closed at Gopher Canyon

12:35 pm

UPDATE: Deer Fire between Deer Springs and Gopher Canyon is currently 6 acres. All lanes of SB I-15 are closed at Gopher Canyon Rd. Avoid the area.

Tankers have reloaded and are back on scene to drop retardant and there are 5 additional engines requested. The fire is reported to be holding at the top of the ridge. They requested two additional hand crews at 12:25 pm.

Brushfire reported near Gopher Canyon and Deer Springs

A brushfire is being fought near I-15 South between Deer Springs and Gopher Canyon. Traffic is presently backed up. This is a developing story.