California 14,000-Acre Eagle Fire Declared Arson

WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. -- The Eagle Fire was caused by arson, Cal Fire announced Wednesday. Additional details will not be released until the investigation is completed, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler. The Eagle Fire has burned 14,100 acres and is 65 percent contained, Schuler said. More than 2,100 firefighters have battled the fire in steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation since last Thursday.

July 28, 2011

2 min read

WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. --

The Eagle Fire was caused by arson, Cal Fire announced Wednesday.

Additional details will not be released until the investigation is completed, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.

The Eagle Fire has burned 14,100 acres and is 65 percent contained, Schuler said.

More than 2,100 firefighters have battled the fire in steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation since last Thursday.

The cost of fighting the fire has been estimated at $6.5 million. As of Wednesday morning, the personnel were equipped with seven air tankers, 20 helicopters, 76 fire engines, 30 water trucks and 18 bulldozers, according to Cal Fire.

About a dozen firefighters have been injured, and one outbuilding has been destroyed since the fire broke out along Eagles Nest Road near Camino San Ignacio, about five miles east of Warner Springs.

Fingers of the fire have extended into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The fire, which has moved over mountainous terrain covered with grass, brush, and oak and pine trees, prompted authorities to close Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp until further notice.

Along with Cal Fire, agencies taking part in the effort include the San Diego County Fire Authority, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, county Sheriff's Department and state Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Corrections and Conservation Corps and the California National Guard.