Tomahawk Fire Archives - Wildfire Today

(Originally published at 8:50 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014; Updated at 7:08 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

On Wednesday wildland firefighters were extremely busy in southern California’s San Diego County. We are aware of eight fires that were active Wednesday.

Tomahawk Fire, from Red Mountain at 12:24 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014.

After being desiccated off and on for weeks by hot, dry, windy weather, the vegetation was ready to burn. East and northeast Santa Ana winds on Tuesday and Wednesday pushed the fires like freight trains across the hills and through communities. By mid-afternoon on Wednesday the winds decreased, and in some areas were replaced by a slightly cooler breeze off the ocean. This caused the spread of the fires to slow, and gave firefighters a chance, aided by an aerial armada, to move in closer and work the fires.

Fire near San Marcos, screen shot from Fox 5 at 545 pm May 14, 2014 — Washingtonia Fire near San Marcos, screen shot from Fox 5 at 5:45 p.m. May 14, 2014.

Considering the number of fires, the dense population, and how stretched thin the fire suppression forces were due to the scope of the emergencies, a surprisingly few number of homes burned.
Continue reading “Numerous wildfires in San Diego County”

California: Tomahawk Fire near Fallbrook

(UPDATED at 7:27 p.m. PDT, May 15, 2014)

The fire is still reported to be 6,000 acres. A Type 2 Incident Management Team, with Incident Commander Garwood, is on scene.

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(UPDATED at 8:59 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

CAL FIRE reported at about 8 p.m. that the fire was 6,000 acres. It spread from the Naval Weapons Station near Fallbrook onto Camp Pendleton.

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(UPDATED at 4:40 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2014)

A change in wind direction has resulted in Fallbrook having an increased threat from the Tomahawk Fire that started just west of the community on Camp Pendleton. The wind is now from the west and southwest pushing the smoke, and possibly the fire, closer to the town.

CAL FIRE reports that the Tomahawk fire has burned 150 acres, and the Highway fire, near Interstate 15 and SR-76 has blackened about 600 acres with no containment. Evacuations are taking place in the area of the Tomahawk fire.

The Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center reported at 4 p.m. that Interstate 15 is closed from 3.5 miles south of the junction of SR76 to 0.7 miles north of the junction of SR76 (San Diego County) as of 3:27 p.m. due to a wildfire. Possibly the Highway Fire which started near the intersection of I-15 and SR-76 is the culprit in the freeway closing issue. However, by 4:40 p.m. the Interstate reopened.

The updated map below shows the spread of the Highway, Tomahawk, and Poinsettia Fires.
Continue reading “California: Tomahawk Fire near Fallbrook”

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