Oceanside Vegetation Fire 100% Contained

OCEANSIDE (CNS) - A 21-acre vegetation fire which began Sunday afternoon and caused minor damage to one home has been 100% contained, the Oceanside Fire Department said today.

A fire crew continued to patrol the fire for 24 hours after the initial start at 2:23 p.m. Sunday on the edge of a marshy wetland known as Talone Lake, said OFD Battalion Chief Jon Regner.

The crew was able to put out hot spots throughout Monday. Crews continued to monitor for hotspots on the interior of the fire. An infrared drone will be flown today to identify any more hotspots, Regner said.

On Sunday, arriving firefighters from Oceanside and Camp Pendleton could see thick smoke rising rapidly with flames next to the intersection of Frazee Road and Mission Avenue,

Crews identified access points into Talone Lake, an area known to contain transient camps and thick vegetation. Multiple fire engines gained access to the area and stopped the forward progress of the fire.

Another fire about 200 yards farther into the vegetation was noticed by fire crews. Heavy vegetation and difficult access allowed the fire to grow out of control and quickly overwhelmed the fire resources, officials said.

Because of the potential for the fire to threaten a nearby residential neighborhood and shopping center, additional resources were ordered, including law enforcement, fire engines, ladder trucks, a water tender, a Cal Fire San Diego ground crew and a helicopter, the battalion chief said.

During the firefight, crews reported up to 30-foot flames, which threw embers eastward across College Boulevard and into the Walmart Shopping Center, which prompted evacuations of residents and businesses. The embers and superheated air released into the neighborhood and

businesses caused damage to the exterior of one single-family residence and to a cardboard storage bin behind Walmart.

Water bucket drops made by Cal Fire aircraft and action by ground forces helped stop the forward rate of spread, the battalion chief said.

Crews gained control around the perimeter of the fire and contained it to 21 acres within two-and-a-half hours.

The fire was 60% contained by late Sunday. Two fire engines continued to patrol the area to check for hotspots overnight.

Firefighters were exposed to smoke and heat, but no firefighters were injured.

Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.

UPDATE: 7 pm July 10, 2023

UPDATE: Oceanside Vegetation Fire 60% Contained, Damages Home

Three NCFPD units were assisting

OCEANSIDE (CNS) - A 21-acre vegetation fire caused minor damage to one home, threatened multiple commercial buildings and was 60% contained, the Oceanside Fire Department said today.

The blaze began at 2:23 p.m. Sunday on the edge of a marshy wetland known as Talone Lake, according to fire officials.

Arriving firefighters from Oceanside and Camp Pendleton could see thick smoke rising rapidly with flames next to the intersection of Frazee Road

and Mission Avenue, an Oceanside battalion chief said.

Crews quickly identified access points into Talone Lake, an area known to contain transient camps and thick vegetation. Multiple fire engines gained access to the fire area and used hose lines, hand tools and chain saws to stop the forward progress of the fire.

Shortly after containing the initial fire, another fire about 200 yards further into the vegetation was noticed by fire crews. Heavy vegetation and difficult access allowed the fire to grow out of control and quickly overwhelmed the fire resources assigned, officials said.

Because of the potential for the fire to threaten a nearby residential neighborhood and shopping center, additional resources were ordered, including law enforcement, fire engines, ladder trucks, a water tender, a Cal Fire San Diego ground crew and a helicopter, the battalion chief said.

During the firefight, crews reported 20- to 30-foot flames threw embers eastward across College Boulevard and into the Walmart Shopping Center, which prompted evacuations of residents and businesses.

The embers and superheated air released into the neighborhood and businesses caused damage to the exterior of one single-family residence and to a cardboard storage bin directly behind Walmart. Water bucket drops made by Cal Fire aircraft and action by ground forces were critical in stopping the forward rate of spread and keeping the fire from extending into homes and businesses, the battalion chief said.

Crews gained control around the perimeter of the fire, stopped its forward progress and contained it to 21 acres within two-and-a-half hours.

The fire was 60% contained by late Sunday. Two fire engines were continuing to patrol the area to check for hotspots overnight with crews

expected to continue checks over the next one to two days until 100% containment can be made.

Firefighters were exposed to smoke and heat, but no firefighters were injured.

Oceanside Police Department detained and questioned one suspect regarding the fire before being released. No arrests were made. The fire was believed to be caused by an individual with further investigation underway.

UPDATE: 8 pm

UPDATE: Forward rate of spread stopped in Mission Fire

The forward rate of spread has been stopped, according to NCFPD PIO Capt. John Choi. There were 21 acres burned. "It was a dirty burn. Even though the fuel is still green, there is dead fuel intermixed, which can carry the fire, with a little bit of wind like this one did to 21 acres," said PIO Choi.

"We need to start preparing for fire season. Just because it's green out there doesn't mean that the fire threat is low."

NCFire had three units directly assisting in protecting the perimeter to keep the fire from spreading. "There was a lot of wind, which increases fire spread. The embers from the fire were starting new fires and catching trees on fire." According to PIO Choi there was one helicopter dropping water but no fixed-wing aircraft. There were fire units from Oceanside, NCFPD, Camp Pendleton, CalFIre, Rancho Sante Fe, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Oceanside Fire Department

NCFPD issues Smoke Advisory for Mission Fire

Walmart parking lot cleared for Mission Rd vegetation fire in Oceanside

Multiple structures are being threatened as a vegetation fire has flared again, causing a second-alarm response. The Mission Fire started at 2:23 pm. There are several agencies involved and air support. The intersection of Mission and Frazee Rd has been closed.

Multiple structures are threatened. There are multiple fires reported. According to Oceanside police, road closures have been set up along SR-76 between Frazee Rd. and College Blvd.

North County Fire Protection District has issued a Smoke Advisory as the smoke from Mission fire is heavy in the Fallbrook Bonsall Area.