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By Billy Ortiz
August 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A brush fire broke out this afternoon in the 1300 block of Aurora Drive in El Cajon close to Lakeside. The blaze started on an open space preserve and swiftly spread, threatening homes.
Some homes were evacuated, but fortunately a 100-foot fire break along the eastern edge of the preserve helped stop the fire from advancing closer to homes.
Witnesses indicated the fire may have broken out in a homeless camp. There are numerous homeless camps in the area, including one where a fire appeared to start on August 17 near I-8 in Lakeside. This is also just blocks from where a homeless woman died in yet another brush fire earlier this year.
The Sheriff’s Fire and Rescue Chopper 10 helped douse the flames as ground crews worked their way eastward and southward to surround the fire. Fire engine units were parked in driveways of homes along the edge of the open space preserve.
As of late this afternoon, the fire had been doused. View video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qevwV4yjows
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