Fire Threatens Structures on Rincon Indian Reservation

A fast-moving brush fire was burning out of control and threatening structures late Thursday on the Rincon Indian Reservation northeast of Escondido, authorities reported.

More than 350 firefighters from fire departments in San Diego, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove were assisting the California Department of Forestry with the blaze, which was burning in a southwesterly direction.

Flames had consumed 300 acres of brush by 9:30 p.m., but no official evacuation of the reservation’s residents had been ordered, said Cele Cundari, a Department of Forestry information officer.

The blaze, dubbed the Rodriguez fire, erupted at 6 p.m. east of Valley Center Road near the reservation’s bingo hall. Its cause is under investigation.

Cundari said firefighters were hindered by steep terrain and winds gusting up to an estimated 40 m.p.h. The timing of the fire was another problem, because planes used to douse flames and scout their movement do not fly at night, Cundari said.

The Rincon Indian Reservation is east of Valley Center and north of the San Pasqual Indian Reservation. Cundari said fire commanders were unable to speculate when the fire might be under control.