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By Nadin Abbott
Photos Nadin Abbott
July 10, 2012 (Poway)-- A fire that started along Metate Lane and Carriage Road in Poway was knocked off fairly fast by fire crews from multiple agencies.
According to John Canavan, Division Chief of the City of Poway Fire Department, the fire started at 11:45 a.m. yesterday. It was a grass fire near homes, that burned eastwards towards Community along the road, pushed by a ten to fifteen mile wind.
According to Canavan vegetation fires are always a concern this time of year. In this case "it was light, flashy fuel."
Air assets used both water and retardant drops, which helped greatly to put it out.
There were contingencies in place in case the fire moved up to the Poway Business Park. But in this case, firefighters worked with the weather and they never had to put them into effect.
The cause is under investigation, but there were reports of crews involved in fuel abatement. The fire burned eight acres and there were no structures damage or injuries. Some residents along Metate Lane decided to self evacuate, but there were no official evacuations ordered.
The Fire Department was assisted by the Sheriff's Department with traffic control in the area, with the closure of Metate and Pomerado for two hours.
Canavan also said that while there are power lines in the area, they posed no issues to fire air assets.According to Judy Ky, an area resident, there were crews weed whacking right before the fire started. She mentioned in passing that she went to Julian during the weekend, and saw crews doing fuel abatement with a fire engine nearby.
According to Frances Jensen, another area resident, "this is the fourth or fifth time this happens."
Luke Rankin, a third area resident, told ECM that he never felt himself at risk. They both also said that there were crews weed whacking before the fire started. When Ranking called 911 dispatch, he was told the response was already under way.
The response, according to Canavan was as follows:
100 firefighters.
23 Engines
5 Chief Officers
2 Hand Crews.
2 Air Tankers
2 Helicopters
1 Air Attack Aircraft
2 Support Units
Agencies at scene were:
SD County Sheriff
SDG&E
Cal Fire
Poway Fire
San Diego Fire Department
Poway Fire
Santee Fire Department.
Santee Fire Department.
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