

By Miriam Raftery
Photo from San Diego Fire Dept.: Metro Arson Strike Team investigates fire scene.
August 14, 2018 (San Pasqual Valley) – The Metro Arson Strike team has reversed an earlier announcement and now believes yesterday's Cloverdale Fire in the San Pasqual Valley was not caused by arson, but instead by a rimless tire that threw off sparks, causing multilple ignition points, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
This is the third fire to occur in the San Pasqual area in the past couple of weeks, though authorities have not yet announced causes of the earlier San Pasqual and Rangeland fires, which burned 240 and 250 acres respectively.
The Cloverdale Fire, under unified command of Cal Fire and San Diego Fire Department, started mid-afternoon and quickly scorched 100 acres. Today it is 65% contained and evacuations have been lifted.
The blaze caused closure of State Route 78 and evacuation of homes, also forcing closure of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene.
Road closures remain in effect tonight on State Route 78 from San Pasqual Road to Bandy Canyon Road, and on San Pasqual Road from State Route 78 and Old Mlkly Way.
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