By SDCN Editor
Oceanside, CA–A major vegetation fire near the rail tracks Wednesday morning halted all rail lines, and forced the evacuation of multiple homes in the Oceanside area, fire officials said.
Evacuations were ordered after firefighters determined there was a danger to homes in the south of the 2500 block of Skylark Drive.
The Oceanside Police Department assisted with mandatory evacuations for a portion of Skylark Dr. and Eldean Lane. and a temporary shelter location was set up at Lincoln Middle School.
Oceanside fire crews responded to the blaze at around 9:37 a.m. near the North County Transit District rail track behind Skylark. The fire was in heavy vegetation, and access to the fire proved to be difficult, according to authorities.
The fire was less than half an acre with a moderate rate of spread on a north-facing slope. Since the origin of the fire was near the tracks the transit district was notified to stop all rail traffic on the rail lines.
Crews used engine-supplied water, hand tools for cutting fire lines, and aircraft water drop to control the fire.
The fire was contained by 1130 a.m. The cause of the fire was determined to be of human origin.
The Oceanside Police Department assisted with mandatory evacuations for a portion of Skylark Dr. and Eldean Lane. and a temporary shelter location was set up at Lincoln Middle School.
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported in this incident.
