FIRE SPARKED BY WEEDING TOOL DOUSED IN EL CAJON; KEEP FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY WHEN CLEARING BRUSH, OFFICIALS CAUTION

July 4, 2009 (El Caj on)--At 11:05 a.m. this morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning uphill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were able to contain the blaze in approximately 30 minutes, but remained on scene for over an hour and a half putting out hot spots.

The cause of the fire was accidental; a resident digging with a steel bladed hand tool hit a rock creating a spark, which ignited dry vegetation. Good preventative weed abatement practices around structures by homeowners allowed firefighters to quickly gain the upper hand on this fire without allowing the fire to cause structure damage. El Cajon fire crews were assisted by firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department and from the San Miguel Fire Protection District.

*A reminder: When clearing brush, always keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose near by in case you accidentally spark a blaze.

Photos taken by El Cajon Fire Division Chief Rick Sitta.