Residential Fire-Ramona

As the sun set behind Mount Woodson for the day, steady rain began falling across the rural community of Ramona. At 7:36pm CAL FIRE/Ramona Fire Department received a report of a structure fire in the 15000 block of Rosemont Lane in Ramona. As responding engine companies approached the residence firefighters were alerted to the familiar smell of burning materials. Medic Engine 7812 arrived first, the company officer reported a single story fifteen hundred square foot residential structure well involved. Neighbors and onlookers braved the wet weather as they gathered in the street, cold and wet they closely watched as firefighters aggressively attacked the fire while others began salvaging critical tools required for the owner’s livelihood. The owner of the home was extremely thankful his family was not inside the residence when the fire occurred. Due to the involvement of the structure and heavy fire loading in the garage and workshop, the incident required a complete first alarm assignment taking firefighters approximately 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours overhauling the structure.

According to the United States Fire Administration four hundred-thousand residential fires occurred in 2008 resulting in two thousand seven-hundred and eight deaths. This is an unfortunate reminder of the importance of smoke detectors.

CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority responds to mulitple swift water rescue incidents

During the week of January 18th 2010, the National Weather Service warned the public, fire agencies, law enforcement, and swift water rescue teams to prepare for rain in excess of fifteen inches in San Diego County and Southern California. Based upon these predications CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority staffed two teams of swift water rescue trained firefighters to assist in flood related incidents. These teams would prove to be vital in two rescues that occurred days later. CAL FIRE public information officers also spoke to the media, radio and newspapers educating residents on flood preparations, available sandbags locations, and personal preparedness.



On the evening of January 21st 2010 engine companies responded to a report of swift water rescue incident in Valley Center. When the first engine company arrived it was determined that two adult occupants were inside a Toyota 4 Runner that was partially submerged in a fast moving body of water. The two had attempted to cross a fast moving creek when the vehicle became stuck. One of the two CAL FIRE swift water rescue teams were stationed approximately five miles from the incident and were able to rescue both occupants without injury to the rescuers of victims.



The following day engine companies responded to the same creek for another swift water rescue. Two occupants had attempted to cross a fast moving creek when the vehicle became stuck and partially submerged in a fast moving body of water. When the engine company arrived at scene the company officer made contact with the father and son, cold and wet they explained how they had jumped from the vehicle making it to shore without injury. With the truck partially submerged the focus quickly shifted to rescuing the family’s two pets. The swift water rescue team entered the water and rescued both dogs without injury.

CAL FIRE/Valley Center firefighters battle residential fire

On the afternoon of February 2nd 2010, CAL FIRE/Valley Center Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 29,000 block of Wilkes Road in the community of Valley Center. Initial reports indicated that the home of a 97 year old man was fully involved. The home was located on a rural two lane road, the closest hydrant approximately seventeen hundred feet from the residence. When the first engine company arrived the structure was approximately seventy-five percent involved and the fire had self ventilated through the roof. Neighbors notified firefighters the elderly man was not home when the fire started. Twenty-seven firefighters from four firefighting agencies extinguished the fire in thirty-five minutes. After an extensive investigation by the Valley Center Fire Department’s Fire Marshal, the fire was determined to have started in the kitchen area; the fire loss was valued at approximately two-hundred thousand dollars.