On August 28, Escondido Fire sent two crews of three firefighters to Ramona on a mutual aid request for the Caesar fire. The fire spread to approximately 50 acres and was contained within several hours. The crews returned to quarters later that evening.
On September 5, two days after returning from the Border Fire, Escondido Fire deployed the OES brush engine with four firefighters from Station #6 (Del Dios) to the Fairview Fire in Hemet. They worked all night protecting multiple homes in the area and remained on the line until early the next morning.
Also, on September 5, Engine Captain Ryan Vierra made a great decision to break from one incident to handle another when he heard three children were locked inside of a vehicle with the engine off on an extremely hot day. His quick decision truly helped save these children.
On September 7, firefighters responded to a natural gas leak at 530 N. Midway Drive. The first arriving officer found a broken gas line. Firefighters secured the area, had neighbors shelter in place, monitored gas levels in the air and stood by with deployed hose lines until SDG&E arrived and capped the broken line.
On September 8, OES Patrol 6615 was placed on “standby” in El Cajon to assist with any local incidents. On September 7, OES 6615 was deployed to the Fairview Fire. This incident is currently at 53% containment and has burned over 28, 000 acres.
On September 11, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible fire in the area of the 1400 block of Katella Ct. and dispatched a structure fire response. The first arriving officer reported a single story, single family residence with light smoke coming from the gable vent above the garage. Due to the potential for the fire to spread and the threat to life and property a working fire upgrade was requested. Five residents and two dogs were alerted by the functioning smoke alarms and the odor of smoke in the home. Aggressive action by the firefighters contained and controlled the fire in approximately 15 minutes. The home sustained minor fire and smoke damage and there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. In all 4 fire engines, 1 truck company, 1 rescue ambulance and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded to the fire. A gift card was from the California Fire Foundation was provided for immediate emergency aid to the homeowner. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Escondido Fire Prevention Inspector’s participated in assemblies at the Classical Academy TK-8 campus, to speak about the two most important factors in preventing a tragic house fire: 1. Have smoke alarms that work, and 2. Have a home fire escape plan.
The students were invited to participate in a poster contest sponsored by The Escondido Fire Department, along with the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation. The contest is designed to encourage families to develop and practice their home escape plan. The winner’s posters will be on display at the Fire & Water Expo at Fire Station 4 on September 24, and they will be acknowledged at the City Council Meeting on September 28 when Escondido Fire’s Prevention Bureau accepts the Mayor’s proclamation of Fire Prevention Week. This year celebrates the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, which is observed every year during the week containing October 9, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire.
