And Instagram video reports to show how the gates fire got started. City councilmember talks about the upcoming debates over two special elections. This is KPBS Midday Edition. I'm Maureen Cavanaugh. It is Monday, May 22. Our top story a wildfire that has burned more than 2000 acres and prompted evacuations is now the subject of a criminal investigation. They are still working the gate fire, which broke out Saturday near Otay Lakes road. There are reports that damaged a campground but no reports of injuries. Joining me is Issac Sanchez. What is the status of the fire right now? Right now over 2000 acres and 75% contain. Our big push is to concentrate our efforts on open line that is on the west side of the fire towards the pico site. About how many firefighters on the scene? As of last night we had right around 650 firefighters. Are you still getting air drops or is this up to ground crews now? This is going to be a ground crew show from this point forward. We do not have any active fire anymore. The fire isn't growing anymore so although we do have aircraft available are not assigned to right now. Can you talk about what prompted CalFire to launch a criminal investigation into the cause? It is based off of evidence that they've discovered. All we can say is that it is an ongoing investigation. I understand there was a video posted on social media and it shows how the fire started. Yes, they are aware of the video. They have seen it. They have spoken to the person that posted the video and he has cooperated. The investigation is ongoing. The comments the company the video said the fire might have been the result of target practice. My question is just generic. Can target practice ignite brushfire? It has been known in the past and we do knowledge that recreational shooting has been related to fires in the past. We do offer tips on how to safely participate in that past time. If that thing is unintentional and people don't know they happen to have sparked a fire, what happens is that a crime? I am unfamiliar with the consequences of the legalities of the situation that we are talking about. That is up to our prevention department to determine. That is why they are here and that is what they're doing right now. Was a red flag warning in the area over the weekend? No, we were not at the red flag conditions. I understand it was pretty hot in dry. Absolutely. That is just the time we are in. That is something that is normal and it doesn't warrant red flag warnings. Is everyone who evacuated because of the fire have they been allowed to go home? The folks at work evacuated under the warning from what I understand the ones I did choose to evacuate were allowed back home. The last ones return home on Saturday at midnight going into Sunday. The park is still closed. Although Otay Lakes road is open. California experience are really very wet, rainy season but that does not mean the risk of fire has diminished. Winter means that will see more -- we will see more grasses and it gives the brush an opportunity to grow. Now that that drought is over we did receive an abundance of rain. That is going to result in an increase in fields with graphic can bring a very easily. This appears to be the first major fire of the season. So is your prediction that we can expect more of the same because of the growth that we've experienced throughout the rainy season? We are always prepared for fires. We know they are going to come. This is the first large fire for 10 Eagle County. They have focus in areas that have beds of grass like in the central valley on the west side. Here in San Diego specifically absolutely. We know the rain came and the results are going to be heavier fuel load as far as grasses are concerned. I've been speaking with Issac Sanchez. Thank you. Thank you.
The Gate Fire in San Diego's East County became a criminal investigation Sunday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
Someone posted a video on Instagram of what appears to be a group of people starting the fire, according to Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez.
"The person who posted the video is cooperating with investigators and it has become a criminal investigation,'' Sanchez told City News Service.
The fire had burned 2,056 acres as of Monday morning and was 75 percent contained.
Evacuation orders and warnings for Dulzura, Engineer Springs and the Thousand Trails Pio Pico Campground issued after the blaze started in the vicinity of state Route 94 and Otay Truck Trail late Saturday morning have been canceled, according to Cal Fire. Road closures along state Route 94 have also been lifted, authorities said.
"Overnight temperatures and a rise in humidity allowed firefighters to make meaningful progress toward complete containment,'' according to Cal Fire.
Otay Lakes Road remained closed from Wueste Road near Chula Vista, to Highway 94. But the state highway, also known as Campo Road, was reopened to traffic early in the afternoon.
The National Weather Service in San Diego issued an advisory Sunday forecasting elevated fire weather conditions for most of the county except along the coast Wednesday and Thursday.
The fire broke out at about 11:20 a.m. Saturday south of Highway 94, near the Border Patrol checkpoint east of Otay Lakes Road. Flames were first spotted on a dirt road called the Otay Truck Trail.
It was primarily burning in grass and sparse brush on the flanks of Otay Mountain. That area is frequently used by target shooters, and it was apparently someone who was taking target practice that shot the video seen on Instagram.
The historic settlements of Dulzura and Engineer Springs were under a voluntary evacuation for several dozen ranches. Residents who evacuated as the fire spread Saturday were escorted back to their homes, firefighters said.
Firefighters from Los Angeles and Orange counties have joined local and federal firefighters from throughout San Diego County as a mutual aid to Cal Fire, the lead agency on the front lines.
The fire was reported to be about 10 acres in size when firefighters arrived, but quickly grew at a "dangerous rate of speed,'' Sanchez said. Hot, dry and windy conditions and rugged terrain helped the fire grow.
"Overnight temperatures and a rise in humidity allowed firefighters to make meaningful progress toward complete containment,'' Sanchez said. "Fire is primarily burning in grass with some sparse brush.''
The Thousand Trails Pio Pico Campground on Otay Lakes Road was evacuated, and there was damage to infrastructure at the campground, firefighters said. Most affected people were relocated to a Red Cross evacuation center at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista.
Residents needing pet care were advised to contact the San Diego Humane Society.
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. It was dubbed the "Gate Fire'' because of its proximity to a landmark pink gate along the highway that leads to an access road, according to Sanchez.
No firefighter injuries were reported, but a Chula Vista police officer was seriously injured while directing traffic at a street closure near Otay Lakes Saturday afternoon.
There was no prediction as to when the fire would be extinguished.
