Buck Fire UPDATE: And What About That Pot Farm?

UPDATE THURSDAY AUG. 16 6:30 p.m. Full containment still expected at 8 a.m. Aug. 18. During the fire, firefighters reported that they discovered a large-scale marijuana farm in the 36000 block of Checkmate Road, just west of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Much of the farm was blackened by the fire, but more than 100 plants were spared due to what one firefighter called “good weed abatement.” The secluded property was heavily protected by barbed wire and at least one “No Trespassing” sign was posted. The land was littered with older equipment, including machinery, vehicles, satellite dishes, a modular building and metal shipping containers. To read more in patch about the pot farm, click HERE.

UPDATE 9 a.m. THURSDAY AUG. 16 from Riverside County Fire Department/California Department of Forestry: The fire is now 60 percent contained, still 2,681 acres. Full containment expected at 8 a.m. August 18. Mandatory evacuation orders lifted.

Update 7:32 p.m. WEDNESDAY AUG. 15 from Riverside County Fire Department/California Department of Forestry: The fire is currently 2,681 acres and 40 percent contained. Changes in acreage due to more accurate mapping. Full containment expected at 0800, August 18th, 2012.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY AUG. 15, 6:30 p.m: People whose properties had been threatened by a lightning-triggered wildfire near Sage were being permitted to return to their homes this afternoon, as crews made progress toward putting out the 3,000-acre blaze that has injured five people and destroyed or damaged four structures.

Effective 6 p.m., Riverside County emergency operations officials were
lifting mandatory evacuation orders for residents of Checkmate, Garrett, Reed
Valley and Stanley roads. About 50 homes had been ordered evacuated early Tuesday afternoon as flames from the ``Buck Fire'' quickly spread. Thirty-two homeowners complied with the order, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

An evacuation center set up on Rancho Vista Road in Temecula was being
shut down.

The fire, which was 20 percent contained as of 6 p.m., was reported
shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of Sage and Lewis Valley roads.

One person suffered serious burns and was airlifted to a hospital, while another was treated for minor injuries. Three firefighters were hospitalized after sustaining minor injuries, county fire spokeswoman Jody
Hagemann said.

Fifty engine crews, seven water tender crews and 13 inmate hand crews,
numbering about 400 people, were working to contain the blaze with the help
of 11 air tankers, seven water-dropping helicopters and four bulldozers. Crews from the Los Angeles County and Orange County fire departments, as
well as the U.S. Forest Service, were assisting.

The Ramona Animal Shelter at 690 Humane Way in San Jacinto was being
used as an evacuation depot for dogs, cats and other small pets. Larger
animals, including horses, were being accepted at Helton Hay and Feed at 26852 Bradley Road in Menifee. — California News Service

UPDATED 1:20 P.M. Wednesday, Aug. 15: Fire investigators said that they have determined that a lightning strike started the fire. Fire officials said those injured are two firefighters with minor injuries and two other people, one transported by ground ambulance and one airlifted with severe injuries.

UPDATED 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, Aug. 15: As of this morning the fire remains at 3000 acres and 15 percent contained. Riverside County Fire Department/California Department of Forestry reports: "A significant augmentation of firefighters, fixed-wing, rotor wing and ground resources remain assigned to the incident. ... Evacuation orders for residents on Stanley Rd. ,Checkmate Rd., Reed Valley Rd., and Garrett Rd. remain in effect. The evacuation center remains open at the Temecula Community Recreation Center at 30875 Rancho Vista Rd."

UPDATED 7:30 A.M. Wednesday Aug. 15: The fire is 15 percent contained, according to fire officials. One person suffered severe burns and was airlifted to a hospital and two firefighters have sustained minor injuries.

UPDATED AT 10:16 p.m.: A Cal Fire spokesman said four structures have been destroyed, nine residences have been evacuated, and more are threatened due to the fast-moving Buck Fire in Aguanga.

Cal Fire spokesman Glenn Barley has confirmed that the fire ate up 1,800 acres in less than six hours today and more acreage will be lost -- and possibly more homes.

"It's burned pretty agressively throughout the day," he said of the blaze. "It's still burning heavy at the head of the fire. Others [homes] are threatened."

As night fell, Barley said firefighters have only 5 percent containment on the blaze and crews will be working through the night and tomorrow.

Two firefighters have been injured in the blaze and were transported to a local hospital, although Cal Fire reports the injuries were minor.

At least two civilians may have also suffered burns, according to unconfirmed reports. At press time, unconfirmed reports indicate crews are searching for civilians who may be caught in the blaze.

The blaze was reported to fire officials just before 1 p.m. Tuesday and was initially burning near Sage Road, between Lewis Valley and Buck roads. At press time, firefighters were battling the blaze in Reed Valley.

Two-hundred and ten firefighters are on scene, including "significant" ground and air resources, Cal Fire reports.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents north of Sage Road, south of Stanley Road, east of Benton Road and west of Reed Valley Road. An evacuation center has been opened by the American Red Cross at the Community Recreation Center, located at 30875 Rancho Vista Road in Temecula.

Greg Good lost his trailer home in the blaze and appeared at the evacuation center tonight in tears. Lynda Shoemaker, a Red Cross volunteer who is managing the center tonight, said Good told her he was trying to douse flames when his dogs escaped. They are described as large brown Scottish Deerhounds. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Good was the only evacuee at the center at press time.

A Patch reporter on scene at the fire said the blaze is located in a remote area that's difficult to reach. Homes and ranches dot the landscape, but it appears most residents cleared out of areas immediately threatened. Firefighters are posted at homes located close to the blaze.

Barley said he is not aware of any reports of injuries to firefighters, civilians or livestock.

Melanie Helton, owner of Helton Hay and Feed in Menifee, said she and her husband can take in horses and other livestock that may be displaced by the blaze. The couple own a 6-acre ranch near their feedstore and said they have room to house at-risk animals.

Additionally, Helton said the horse community has reached out to her and she now has a list of other property owners throughout Riverside County who can take animals that need temporary shelter due to the fire. She also has an extensive list of volunteers who can help with transport.

"It's great to see the community come together," she said.

Helton can be reached throughout the night at (951) 775-2226.

Riverside County's San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus located at 581 S. Grand Ave. can be used, if necessary, as a place where property owners forced to evacuate can bring small animals.

"We will have staff members there throughout the night and into the early morning hours," said Riverside County Animal Services spokesman John Welsh.

Additionally, county animal services representatives are on scene in the Buck Fire area to assist with pet and livestock evacuations, Welsh said.

A clerk at Aguanga General Store on State Route 79 said the market remained open for business Tuesday and was never immediately threatened by the fire. Although there was a great deal of smoke, the clerk said as afternoon winds picked up and began blowing eastward, visibility near the store improved.

Battling the blaze is a multi-agency effort. Cal Fire teams from Riverside and San Diego counties are assigned, as well as personnel from the Orange County Fire Authority and the U.S. Forest Service, according to Cal Fire reports. Also assisting with coordination are the American Red Cross, Riverside County Office of Emergency Services, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Southern California Edison.

It’s not clear what may have sparked the blaze, although fire officials were on high alert due to weather conditions that called for afternoon thunderstorms and lightning.