Ditch fire spreads across four acres, no injuries reported
A second-alarm ditch fire that occurred Saturday morning near Brandt Road, north of Highway 86, burned about four acres in total, Imperial County Fire Department said. No injuries were reported, and no residences were displaced, ICFD Deputy Chief Salvador Flores confirmed.
The fire occurred between two fields that run parallel to the river bottom located near Brandt and Highway 86.
The fire was contained to the area, and only the greenery in the area was burned. ICFD personnel responded at about 3 a.m. Saturday to the field fire, which was located in county jurisdiction.
A second-alarm was then requested, and drew in assistance from the Brawley, Calipatria, Holtville and Westmorland fire departments. The fire was contained by about 8 a.m., and mop-up operations were still taking place Saturday afternoon.
A fire engine was stationed at the scene for the remainder of the day to monitor the area, and Chief Flores estimated the operation to be completely finished by Saturday night. At the peak of the fire, 20 fire department personnel were on scene. As of Saturday afternoon, 14 were still on scene.
“The real challenge of this fire, since there was no wind or no terrain, was the smoke for the residences of Brawley,” Chief Flores said. “We’re going to keep monitoring it completely until we know it won’t produce anymore smoke for the citizens of Brawley. Other than that, I think we’ll be completely wrapped up by tonight.” While the source of the fire is still under investigation, Flores said the fire department believes it possibly started somewhere in the south side of the area then traveled north.