Gate Fire
Events
Around 11:20 am on May 20, the fire was first reported burning with a moderate-to-rapid rate of spread near Highway 94 and Otay Lakes Road. Initially reported at 10 acres, the fire soon ballooned from 500 to then 800 acres by 5:55 pm that day. Road closures were put into effect on Highway 94 from Honey Springs Road to Highway 188, and on Otay Lakes Road. A Red Cross shelter was set up at Otay Ranch High School for evacuated residents and campers from the Dulzura and Thousand Trails campground area. A Chula Vista police officer who was directing traffic near the Gate Fire was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured as a result.
The Gate fire was declared 100% contained on May 23, after consuming a total 2,056 acres.
Cause
On May 20, California officials launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the Gate fire, citing a video posted on Instagram showing the fire igniting with a group of people running away from the scene. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.
References
- ^ "Gate Fire". CAL FIRE. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ "CALFIRESANDIEGO at scene of a vegetation fire Hwy 94 south of Jamul. IC reports 10 ac and rapid rate of spread". CAL FIRE San Diego. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ Winkley, Lyndsay (June 15, 2016). "Gate fire evacuation orders lifted, criminal investigation ongoing". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- ^ "Gate Fire in Dulzura area fully contained". ABC 10 News. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ "GATE FIRE NOW 300-400 ACRES: EVACUATIONS ORDERED". East County Magazine. May 20, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ East County New Service (May 20, 2017). "GATE FIRE NOW 300-400 ACRES: EVACUATIONS ORDERED". East County Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ Raftery, Miriam (May 21, 2017). "CRIMINAL ARSON PROBE LAUNCHED INTO GATE FIRE". East County Magazine. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- ^ "Chula Vista police officer hit while directing traffic away from 'Gate Fire'". Fox 5. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ "Gate Fire 100 percent contained, investigation continues". CBS 8. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
- ^ Fox News (May 22, 2017). "Wildfire in California: Gate fire under criminal investigation, authorities say". Fox News. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- ^ Raftery, Miriam (May 21, 2017). "CRIMINAL ARSON PROBE LAUNCHED INTO GATE FIRE". East County Magazine. Retrieved May 21, 2017.