Vegetation fire breaks out near businesses, homes in Oceanside

By Gina Yarbrough

Oceanside, CA–Fire crews battled a 21-acre vegetation fire that broke out on the edge of a marshy wetland known as Talone Lake, and threatened multiple homes and businesses at a shopping mall, fire officials said. 

Oceanside Fire Department responded to calls around 2:23 p.m. of flames and thick smoke rising from a field near the intersection of Frazee and Mission Avenues.

Firefighters at the scene identified access points into Talone Lake, an area known to contain transient camps and thick vegetation. 

Fire crews from Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad, Vista, North County, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Departments, and Cal Fire also responded to the scene to assist in containing the blaze.

Shortly after containing the first fire, another fire erupted approximately 200 yards further into the vegetation. Heavy vegetation and difficult access allowed the fire to grow out of control and quickly overwhelmed the fire resources assigned, the Oceanside Fire Department said in a news release. 

A Cal Fire aircraft made frequent water bucket drops on the ground while crews worked to stop the fire from extending into homes and businesses. 

Fire crews reported up to 20 to 30-foot flame lengths that threw embers eastward, across College Blvd., and into the Walmart store located at the Town Center North Shopping Mall. Due to the intensity of the fire, authorities prompted evacuations of all businesses at the mall and residents near the area.

According to fire officials, the burnt embers and superheated air released into the area caused fire damage to a cardboard storage bin behind Wal-Mart.

Fire crews were dispatched around 4:10 p.m. to a single-family home, located in the 700 block of Mosaic Circle, following reports of heavy smoke and fire at the front of the house. Fire crews quickly made entry into the residence, and performed a search for victims while also extinguishing the fire caused by the embers. One adult victim was located in the backyard suffering from smoke inhalation. The home suffered minor damage due to the fire.

Fire crews gained control of the fire, and were able to stop its forward progress, and contain it to 21 acres within 2.5 hours. 

At this time, the fire is 60% contained. Two fire engines will patrol the area to check for hotspots overnight with crews expected to continue checks over the next one to two days until 100% containment can be made.

Firefighters were exposed to smoke and heat; however, no firefighter injuries were reported. 

Oceanside police detained and questioned one suspect regarding the incident prior to being released. No arrests were made. 

Fire officials believe the blaze may have been caused by a human. The incident is under investigation.