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Story and photos by Josh Stotler
Photo, left: Crews battle the heat and smoke of the Murray fire Tuesday afternoon.
June 20, 2023 (El Cajon)-- A small vegetation fire was sparked off Interstate 8 near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place in El Cajon this afternoon. While East County crews were battling two other wildland fires, calls came into Heartland Fire & Rescue’s dispatch just after 2:20 p.m. reporting a fire on the hill adjacent to Grossmont High School.
Engines were sent to the scene and Interstate 8 was closed to westbound traffic as crews battled the flames.
Units from Heartland, Santee, Lakeside and San Diego City fire departments, along with air assistance from CAL FIRE and the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopters,quickly contained the blaze fire and ensured the safety of the surrounding structures.
Trolley service into El Cajon was halted to ensure the safety of riders and firefighters alike.
Photo, right: El Cajon Engine 7 is seen supplying water to crews working the “Murray” fire off Interstate 8
California Highway Patrol reopened Interstate 8 around 3:30 p.m. with the #1 lane still blocked by fire apparatus. Mop up continued until 4:30. p.m.
No structures were lost, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Photo, left: Firefighters from Santee douse hot spots along the hillside of interstate 8 off Murray Drive.
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