Blue Cut Fire IA Structure Protection 2016

The Blue Cut Fire started at approximately 1040 hours on August 16, 2016 along Cajon Boulevard near the Interstate 15 Freeway. Initial attack fire suppression resources were actively engaged in perimeter control fire suppression activities in an attempt to hold the fire to the area of origin. As the fire behavior increased, spot fires ignited across Cajon Boulevard and progressed toward structures to the north in the Swarthout Canyon area. The County Fire resources disengaged from their original assignment and redeployed into Swarthout Canyon to begin immediate evacuations of the affected area in front of the now rapidly growing wildfire. During this attempt to locate remaining residents and inform them to evacuate to a safer location, two County Fire Type 3 Engines were overrun by the fast-moving fire at a residence—where two civilians had remained on the property. 

Next, the fire crews noticed that their escape route was cut off by fire. The fire crew personnel told the residents to take shelter in their residence. The two Engine Companies both sheltered in place—with several minutes of heavy smoke, heat, and firebrands to contend with—until the fire front passed. Once the fire front moved through, firefighters found that multiple vehicles and structures had caught fire, including the structure in which the residents had taken shelter. Two firefighters were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Both were released hours later and returned to fight the fire. The fire equipment received minor cosmetic damage. Neither of the two residents were injured.

Structure Protection, Engines, Entrapment, Initial Attack, Vehicle Burn Damage