Mowing equipment sparks 100-acre fire

Mowing equipment caused a still-smoldering wildfire that blackened about 100 open acres south of Ramona and briefly threatened some Barona Mesa homes while spreading across rugged, brushy terrain, authorities report.

The Feather Fire erupted shortly after 1 p.m. Monday off El Capitan Truck Trail on Featherstone Canyon Road in the Barona area, reported Cal Fire. Within 45 minutes, the flames had charred about 30 acres and were moving toward residences in the Barona Mesa community, said Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser.

As of Wedneday at noon the fire was 100 percent contained. According to earlier reports, the fire grew to 133 acres. Bortisser explained that until someone walks the perimeter of a fire, officials do not have an actual acreage. Until then, they use aerial views and give their best estimate, he said.

The fire started in the 24300 block of Featherstone Canyon Road on private property in the forest service protection area, Bortisser said. A person was using a brush hog, described as a rotary mower with a large blade in front, when a spark apparently hit a rock. The person had all the recommended fire stand-by equipment -- a shovel, water and extinguisher -- but the fire grew too quickly and the person was unable to contain it, said Bortisser.

“They were doing the right thing with the right equipment, but just at the wrong time,” the fire captain said.

Cal Fire advises residents to use mowing equipment before 10 a.m., not during the heat of the day or when the wind is blowing.

The fire prompted some Barona Mesa residents who had lost homes in the 2003 wildfire to head home.

Sheriff’s deputies asked residents of Barona Mesa-area homes nearest the blaze to evacuate, but the order was lifted later Monday afternoon, fire officials said. Some San Diego Country Estates residents close to Barona Mesa also received evacuation advisories.

“I’m not leaving,” said Barona Mesa resident Debi Fraser as officials told residents at the east end of Four Corners to evacuate. “We have 35 animals here.”

The sheriff’s department directed residents with large animals to the equestrian center at 16911 Gunn Stage Road in Country Estates and other residents to a temporary evacuation center at El Capitan High School in Lakeside.

Persons watching the fire’s progress from Barona Mesa said that fire engines and other emergency vehicles were stationed on hills by several homes the fire threatened.

No structural damage or injuries were reported.

Among sheriff’s department advisories as crews fought the fire was the reminder that residents could call 2-1-1 for updated information and, if they were not already registered, they could sign up to receive AlertSanDiego messages at www.sdcountyemergency.com.