WIND WARNING ISSUED AS FIREFIGHTERS CONTINUE BATTLING GUN FIRE, NOW 30% CONTAINED

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By Nadin Abbott

Photo, left taken March 8, 2014 by Greg Bowerman, creekcrossingphotography.com

Additional photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott

Update March 10: This fire is now contained.

Update March 9, 2014 -- The fire has burned 125 acres and is 30% contained according to the Incident page set up for the Gun Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3783/  .  The wind advisory has been upgraded to a wind warning with gusts up to 70 mph on ridges possible.

March 8, 2014 (Mt Laguna) A fire that started around 1 p.m. in the afternoon in the Kitchen Creek area in Cleveland National Forest spread to 75-100 acres. The blaze was 5 percent containment by 4:40 p.m. with no estimate yet for full containment. 

A wind advisory has been issued for tomorrow and ECM news partner 10 News reports that crews could be battling this fire for days. Sustained winds of 15-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are forecast.

Power is out to more than 500 residences in Japatul Valley, Buckman Springs, Morena Village, Guatay, Pine Valley and Mount Laguna due to a power shut off to protect firefightings working closer to powerlines. SDG&E estimates power will be restored at 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

According to Forest Service Public Information Officer Wende Cornelius, the fire started near a gun range, hence the name.

When we arrived on scene there were many curious onlookers with phones and cameras taking pictures at the staging area. Th

e Sheriff’s office was diverting people off I-8 East to Sunrise Highway, and from there to Old Highway 80 East. At one point they discussed shutting both directions, but East was kept open as a way to move traffic through and towards Buckman Springs.  A hard block remained on Kitchen Creek Road.

According to Wende Cornelius with Cleveland National Forest, earlier closures and voluntary evacuations were lifted.

According to Cornelius “It is too soon as to the cause of the fire. It is still under investigation.” Cornelius also added that the fire has not caused its own weather, which large fires can do.

We watched those winds literally switch in an instant from the first lookout on Mile Marker 14, which looked into Kitchen Creek Valley.  The eddies of smoke rose, which betrayed a difficult wind pattern for crews to navigate. This is the reason why fixed wing aircraft were grounded for a while, though we did watch one spotter and three tankers do fire retardant drops, as well as helicopters.

We also watched  a hand crew make its way into rough terrain, hiking about five miles in. They carried with them backpacks and hand tools.

Cornelius told ECM that while the rain helped last week, it did not help with making the fuel wetter, and we observed how dry it was as well. Included is a picture of a small break of a Manzanita brush that was so dry it literally broke in my hand.

While at this time we have no voluntary or mandatory evacuations, it is important, Cornelius told ECM, to still pay attention to the course of this fire. She also told ECM that power has been cut to Mount Laguna by SDG&E since the local branch of the distribution network was too close.

As to resources, while this fire is under the command of the Forest Service, they have assets from Cal Fire, Heartland, the US Border Patrol, San Diego Sheriffs Office, California Highway Patrol and Heartland Fire and Rescue.


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Comments

While containment remains at 60%

the line around the fire has ben completed, according to Inciweb. That is progress http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3783/

Status now at 60% contained per Inciweb

INCIDENT UPDATED 10 MIN. AGO Incident Overview The Gun Fire started March 8 2014 off Interstate 8 & Sunrise Hwy near Pine Valley (San Diego County). Basic Information Incident Type Wildfire Cause Unknown Date of Origin Saturday March 08th, 2014 approx. 12:30 PM Current Situation Total Personnel 250 Size 125 acres Percent Contained 60% Estimated Containment Date Thursday March 13th, 2014 approx. 08:00 PM Outlook Remarks Forest visitors should be aware of emergency vehicles along Sunrise Highway and Old Highway 80.

Update of the fire per Inciweb

INCIDENT UPDATED 51 MIN. AGO Incident Overview The Gun Fire started March 8 2014 off Interstate 8 & Sunrise Hwy near Pine Valley (San Diego County). Basic Information Incident Type Wildfire Cause Unknown Date of Origin Saturday March 08th, 2014 approx. 12:30 PM Current Situation Total Personnel 250 Size 125 acres Percent Contained 30% Estimated Containment Date Sunday March 09th, 2014 approx. 08:00 PM Outlook Remarks Forest visitors should be aware of emergency vehicles along Sunrise Highway and Old Highway 80.