Officials have said lightning strikes and campfires started by illegal immigrants are the two most common causes of fires in the forest south of Interstate 8.

Officials say illegal campfire caused blaze near Pine Valley

By Greg Gross and Karen Kucher
STAFF WRITERS

September 14, 2007

Reinforced by engine companies and strike teams from as far away as Ventura County, a force of about 700 firefighters worked yesterday to box in what's being called the Pine fire in East County.

No homes or structures have been burned in the blaze, which now has consumed about 2,170 acres of brush southeast of Pine Valley in the Cleveland National Forest. The fire was about 35 percent contained last night.

A Cal Fire bulldozer operator suffered major burns to his arms and hands Wednesday as he worked near Corte Madera Road. His name has not been released. A firefighter suffered minor burns Wednesday.

The blaze, which broke out about 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, was caused by an illegal campfire, investigators said.

Officials have said lightning strikes and campfires started by illegal immigrants are the two most common causes of fires in the forest south of Interstate 8.

Higher humidity levels and relatively light winds helped slow the spread of the fire yesterday, Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck said.

Five helicopters and four air tankers bombarded the fire lines with water and retardant all day and hope to have the blaze fully contained by tomorrow morning.

The firefighters' goal is to keep the blaze from moving south of Old Highway 80, west of Buckman Springs Road, north of Stokes Valley Road and east of Corte Madera Road.

Firefighters are anxious to keep the fire from moving into Pine Valley or jumping into the uninhabited area east of the community, which has heavy vegetation and virtually no roads.

“This is a fuel-driven fire,â€