July 15--VICTORVILLE -- Three back-to-back fires in the Mojave River bottom on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have firefighters concerned they may be the work of an arsonist, according to San Bernardino County Fire officials.
"The investigation has led us to believe the fires are suspicious in origin," said Captain Jay Hausman, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
"All of the fires are within a quarter-mile of each other," Hausman said.
According to Hausman, natural causes -- such as a lightening strike or mechanical causes from a motorcycle or vehicle -- have been ruled out, fire officials said.
Four engines and a battalion chief responded to the first alarm vegetation fire shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday, in the vicinity of Sixth Street and E Street, along the Mojave River bed, according to Hausman.
Fires down by the river are a hazard for both fire fighters and the homeless population, who camp along the banks because the vegetation is extremely dense and the encampments often times contain mattresses, tents, clothing and other items that add fuel to the fire, Hausman said.
"The number of homeless has increased along the river bottom," Hausman said. "Friday's fire burned what appeared to be a homeless encampment."
Temperatures were not a concern, and the wind was not an issue in Friday's fire. The fire burned a tenth of an acre, but firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly, officials said.
The fire required heavy mop-up and involved turning soil, cutting brush, cutting and making sure every hot ember was extinguished from all areas including patches of thick bamboo.
"Hidden embers can reignite if there is any wind, and fire can spread along the river bank quickly," Hausman said. "We have to be sure all embers are out."
On Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. firefighters responded to a vehicle fire which spread to the vegetation in the same area as Friday's fire, Hausman said. In addition to the vehicle being burned, a 10-foot-by-10-foot area of vegetation was also burned, according to fire officials.
Firefighters responded to the report of a vegetation fire by a passerby, in the vicinity of Stoddard Wells Road and Highway 18, around 4 p.m. Thursday. The fire burned a 50-foot-by-50-foot area before it was put out, Hausman said.
"The concern is that we are in the middle of summer and the brush is so dry," Hausman said. "Any of these fires, under the right conditions, have the potential for spreading quickly and we've been lucky so far."
All three fires are under investigation.
Anyone with any information regarding the fires can contact the Victorville Sheriff's Station at 760-241-2911. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the WeTip hotline at 800-782-7463 or go online at www.wetip.com.
Rebecca Howes can be reached at [email protected] or at 760-951-6276.
Copyright 2013 - Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
