Arson Fire Chars 60 Acres Near Lakeside

California Department of Forestry investigators labeled a 60-acre brush fire Friday near Wildcat Canyon Road northeast of Lakeside arson.

The blaze was “maliciously started,” investigators said, and an incendiary device was found at the scene.

Donna Adams, CDF information officer, said the fire was started about 1 p.m. Anyone who was near Wildcat Canyon Road and Muth Valley Road about that time is asked to contact CDF investigators at 588-0364, Adams said.

The fire, which had burned about 60 acres by late Friday, was expected to be contained by midnight and extinguished by this afternoon.

Heavy brush, high temperatures and rough terrain made firefighting difficult and caused several minor injuries among the 200 firefighters at the scene.

A number of firefighters were reported sidelined with heat-related illness as temperatures reached 96 degrees and humidity was high, Adams said.

At times, several buildings were threatened, but none was damaged, she said.

In addition to ground crews, the stubborn blaze was fought with three helicopters, which dumped water on the hot spots, and four tankers dropping fire retardant.

At the height of the fire, California Highway Patrol officers stopped all traffic along Wildcat Canyon Road. The road was later reopened but only to area residents with identification.