Mike wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:39 PM:The fire must have been burning for some time - I've been smelling smoke in my house since about 10:30 this morning, and I live near Encinitas Blvd.

Olivia wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:55 PM:i live right by this and there are many helicopters dropping water on it and the air is very smoky

Jack wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:09 PM:This is not the first time we've had a fire in this same location. Could it have anything to do with the many illegals who live in the canyon and under the bridge nearby. The same ones who are in front of Home Depot everyday creating bags of trash and harassing customers? Why does the City of Encinitas allow this in our community. The City Council should be ashamed.

john wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:22 PM:I'll bet five bucks that Jack is a retired Republican

John wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:25 PM:Normally, an investigation is done before somebody is accused.

c.b wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:30 PM:WHY DON'T YOU STOP BEING SO RUDE AND STOP BLAMING ILLEGALS ON THIS UNTIL YOU KNOW THE FACTS.

Erin wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:31 PM:Thank you John. You are awesome!!! That is EXACTLY what I was thinking.

Kat wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:32 PM:i live in san pasqual valley in escondido and can smell it all the way over here. hopefully there arent going to be any evacuations!!!!!!!!

hey CB wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:37 PM:Why don't you stop typing in CAPS? THAT is rude.

Stop accusing those who blame illegals of being rude when you are being rude yourself when accusing those accused.

Carry on.

mectd wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:40 PM:does anyone know how contained it is now ? I drove by and the fire seems to be behind stater brothers , there isn't much smoke coming my way and I live on shanas.
We were going out but are not comfortable leaving if it's not contained although the mall is still full so there is no evacuation going on for sure.

Lola wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:40 PM:I prefer open borders -- but Jack is probably correct about the source of the fire. I used to run up on the trail above the Encinitas golf course—the opposite side of Leucadia Blvd. and I changed my route when I came upon a collection of migrants sitting around a small fire along the trail. They were just doing it to keep warm--but the brush is dry up there year-round...so I reported it to the police department.

ll wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:43 PM:it was probable a smoker... ban cigs before hating on people that are just trying to feed there family and working darn hard to do it...

Terry J wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:44 PM:john... why would you surmise Jack is retired? Its unfair to pin stupid, asinine, "heat speech" on retired folks -- republicans, not so much :-)

J. Darling wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:47 PM:I live by lake hodges and it's starting to get pretty smokey here, with some ash falling. More reports of smoke in San Marcos from friends as well.

Jay wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:53 PM:Of course its the migrant workers. They are not all illegal though. Many are here legally and just choose to live in nice places like Encinitas and RSF.

CJ wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:02 PM:I just watched on the news that it is only about 20% contained and most likely man-made.

D.K. wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:13 PM:I was in the parking lot by Sports Authority for about 30 min. and it was crazy. The air is so bad and people need to just stay off the roads over there. It was a mess of traffic and people. But the flames were crazy for a good 3 hours. you can see them from my house.

Victoria wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:29 PM:I will pray for the safety of the fire crews, just in case it sparks back up. I recommend you all do the same....prayer represents "spirituality", you don't have to be of ANY religion to pray for your brothers safety.

Itsnot wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:30 PM:Its not the illegals...its the surfer dudes smokin grass....its windy man....

Anthony wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:34 PM:I know immigrants/ undocumented workers get under everyone's skin in this county but let the authorities do their job determining the cause before sending out the lynch mob folks. Also please stop being so rude or sarcastic with each other

cs wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:35 PM:it was soooo close to stater bros. And i seriously doubt it was illegals. that hill is very inhospitable. There is so much brush and so many sharp inclines. plus that ecke house is right there, i don't think the ecke family would let some squatters onto their land. And i agree with john.

scott wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:57 PM:Jack, apparently you are not well educated. Do you really think illegals would want to set fire to where they live??? More likely it is some kid in your neighborhood.

tuck wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:14 PM:camping for free.....where do i sign up?

Bill wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:17 PM:What is with all these libs defending people who break the law?

Hank wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:19 PM:And here I thought is was illegal to just camp anywhere. Is it not?

Observer wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:03 PM:A partially rude statement, "Why don't you stop typing in CAPS? THAT is rude."

Suzy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:48 PM:I live on the other side in La Costa Valley and we could see the flames and the planes and helicopters dumping water and fire retardant. The wind wasn't blowing in our direction so we never smelled smoke.

And for the people dumping on Jack, you have obviously don't live in this area and have never encountered the illegals/migrants/living in the hills setting fires. For those who have, keep calling the police. Next time they may burn down a neighborhood.

Obumma wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:54 PM:Hank, It's not illegal camping, it's undocumented camping. Who are we to prevent undocumented fires in undocumented campsites by undocumented foreigners.

to scott wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:57 PM:ever hear of an accident?

Illegals wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:04 PM:It was probably started by the illegal Hazelton's trying to throw off the scent from their own TIP fire!

Build the fence wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:16 PM:around Jack's house!!!!

like wow wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:32 PM:just another Leucadian lettuce doobie that got out of control...

john wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:36 PM:You’re right, that was rude of me to assume Jack is a retired Republican. It is possible that someone lit a campfire and it is possible it might have been a migrant worker who lit it. But at that point his rant turns downhill. Illegals create trash. Illegals harass people. And America (or in this case, our city council) allows it. It just reminded me of RNC talking points, Karl Rove commentary, FOX news and other fear mongering lies and slander.

So I was wrong and I apologize. What we need in this country is some unity and less partisan infighting, no?

jj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:46 PM:Boy .... a lot of you people are going to look mighty stupid when they find out migrants started this fire.

I use to walk along Garden View a lot years ago, until I got tired of seeing all the migrants run across the street and run up the hill in exactly the area where the fire is.

The evidence will be in soon. My money is on illegals. Let the chips fall where they may.

voice of reason wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:12 PM:Obumma wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:54 PM:

"Hank, It's not illegal camping, it's undocumented camping. Who are we to prevent undocumented fires in undocumented campsites by undocumented foreigners."

- LOL! ... Yes ... I forgot how one can use the adjective "undocumented" to negate any claims to having to follow the law!

- Its like the ultimate get out of Jail free card!!!

SmokeyTheBear wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:26 PM:"Investigators will be at the scene Tuesday to find the source and cause of the fire, he said."

I will eagerly be waiting to hear the findings of our crack Fire Fighting team.

And remember boys and girls, only you can prevent forest fires!

citizen wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:34 PM:Close all of the illegal campsites NOW!!!

dom wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:18 AM:c.b...nobody's being rude....Just truthfull.....for you clueless/denial folks,I have plenty pictures of illegal encampments in the canyons of Encinitas,if you would like to see them for yourself.......

raspberry wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:20 AM:Heck, I saw a woman with Florida plates throw a burning cigarette out of her car yesterday. There are plenty of stupid people around - here, there and everywhere.

Gil wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:49 AM:Dear NCT: Please be sure to report the cause, even if it does not help your open borders agenda. Thanks

Hank wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:14 AM:To Obumma: LOL - Nice work!!!

Paul wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:31 AM:It is a well known fat that illegals live in that part. It is a shame when the PC politicians want to report this as a suspicious fire ... it is very clear that it was man made by illegals. Stop pandering to illegals.

BOB wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:31 AM:Why all the hate? ... and invoking the spectre of illegal immigration when you have nothing constructive to add to public discourse, We should all be thankful Encinitas firefighters responded quickly to prevent the loss of homes.

Thank you Encinitas firefighters!

Another Observer wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:32 AM:It could be that it was an Illegal Alien Migrant camp fire that started the brush fire. I have seen their camps in other local places and they put their camp fires under brush so that they cannot be seen. You would think that the politicians that control the police would evict the migrants to protect the property of citizens , but political correctness and cheap labor rule.

Just like the fires last year wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:42 AM:a transformer or lightning will be blamed!!! Everyone KNOWS the illegals just coincidentally are at/near the sites of these fires but refuse to be UN PC and admit the truth. The reason for this fire will undoubtedly be covered up, like the rest so the idiot Libs can continue to turn a blind eye and scream RACIST.

Hey NCT Stop these hateful comments wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:34 AM:This is a story about a fire and it has turned into a hateful dispute on who is right and who is wrong. NCT shame on you for allowing insults to be thrown back and forth. Insults against others should not be allowed. The more divided this country becomes the weaker we become.

ribeyek wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:28 AM:If SDG&E power lines are to blame, their insurance will have to pay out. If foreign nationals caused it will their government pay?

Thanks wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:53 AM:Thank you FireFighters!!

Job Well done and quickly too!

We live right at that ridge and were concerned when we found out at work what was going on. When we got home all was good and our doggies were totally fine - didn't even phase them, like the October fires did.

Thanks again firefighters!

My husband and I would like to buy you a coffee or donuts or... when we see you out and about at the local eateries!

nemo wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:24 AM:I agree with "Hey NCT Stop these hateful comments". Public speech should be censored. Open minds should be closed. Opinions are dangerous. If we think for ourselves we may have to take personal responsibility for our actions. It's much simpler to be taken care of. 'Hear nothing, see nothing, write nothing'.

Encinitas wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:49 AM:The firefighters were amazing to watch. I'd never seen a water drop before and I didn't realize how low and close the fire they had to get to make the drop. It was an arial ballet complete with water and smoke.

Thanks for the great job! We should all be thankful that no homes were burned down and nobody was injured.

Get the squatters out wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:51 AM:People living and having open fires in canyons around our county is an accident waiting to happen..

Get them out for the safety of all.

to ribeyek wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:13 AM:Yes, keen observation.

But no one is to blame, because there is no such thing as borders, right? (Which is why Mexico has a daily parade of military on their border to the south, correct?)

Unfortunately, this fire, like the likely illegal aliens who inadvertently started it, doesn't acknowledge borders either. It is an equal opportunity fire.

And will the cause of the fire,when determined, be reported in this paper if it turns out to be illegal aliens?

God, can you hear the echo from Washington originating from the hollowed out consciences of those we elected to serve? It is maddening.

I'd like some key lime pie before the next civil war breaks out, please. Thank you.

To John wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:35 AM:John's the type who's posterior would have to actually be on fire after 30 minutes of smelling smoke, to admit the obvious.

shaun wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:48 AM:No comment on the fire start .. We all know many of the local canyons are used as migrant camps, and since power lines and cig buts have been ruled out, the camps are a natural suspect. Fire cause analysis is fact finding, not witch hunts.

I saw the whole episode from my porch, from initial smoke to the end. What struck me is how long (and seemingly tough) it was to put out this relatively small fire. There was almost no wind, and the helicopters could very quickly re-load water from E-Ranch golf lakes. From my vantage point, if there had been a little more W => E wind, and if the copters had to fly further (take longer) to reload water .. this fire coulda got nasty bad. Scary. Kudo's to the hard work for putting out this fire, and I hope we do not get a repeat when the conditions are worse.

Clea wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:18 PM:For starters, thank God and the Fire Dept that no homes or lives were lost. Next question is whether or not NCT and/or any other media will publicise the cause of the fire once it is determined. If I were a betting person, I'd lay odds that if it turns out to be an "illegal campfire" (PC speak for caused by illegal aliens) that NCT and others won't publicise that fact as they covered the fire. All doubters are correct to assume it "could" be some stoned surfer, neighbor kids playing with a magnifying glass or matches, or some other likely cause like a rock spontaneously combusting. I'm more inclined to side with the racist view that it's likely due to ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Randall wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:55 PM:I enjoyed the spectacular well co-ordinated air assalt force to quench the fire. My only concern is that the water draw pond next to Leucadia Bld could have been secured better. Children were running onto the golf course to the pond to watch the heavily laden helecopters.

A lot of experts on here wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:22 PM:Man, I had no idea there were so many arson investigators posting on the NCT boards. Less than 24 hours after the fire broke out and the lap top detectives have already cracked the case. It's now "likely" that it was an illegal camp, and all other possible causes have been "ruled out." Man, crack police work in here today. I guess it helps speed up the investigation when you already know who you're going to blame.

FFLIFE wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:22 PM:Great job by 2803 as the IC. You still have what it takes!

Bo wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:34 PM:I've lived in view of the fire area since 1972. My first guess was an accidental fire started by some of the illegal immigrants that have lived there as long as I have. It is not racist to come to this logical conclusion, and NO, I am not a retired Republican. Other possibilities include the tobacco and/or pot smoking kids that I've run into up there.

aperson wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:51 PM:I believe that it may have been caused by undocumented workers. I used to walk the trail going through target plaza and forum plaza and i have ran into many of them through the years. But not all of them are camping like that. Not all of them are homeless. The undocumented workers that do odd jobs for people at the home depot make good money. and they work hard for it so they can pay rent or buy food. all i'm saying is to not generalize the undocumented immigrants that you see on that trail.

citizen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:26 PM:Remove the illegal campsites NOW!!!

Before the whole town blows!!!

Janet wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:11 PM:I agree that we should wait till an investigation is done. Everyone knows illegals start all the fires? No, some people ASSUME illegals start all the fires. Now the investigators are lying about the causes of fires to protect illegals? Somebody please come up with some actual evidence or statistics, not opinion.

Legalimmigrant wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:03 PM:Great job by our superbly trained FD!! On any given day there are more than 1 million LEGAL applications for getting a LEGAL visa to America. 99% of these applicants from all over the world are highly skilled, speak fluent English, won't bring drugs into our communities, won't overcrowd our hospitals and schools, won't DEMAND we give them everything (including this state!) Won't have more babies than they can afford, will be civic minded, will pay taxes and will be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL AND PROUD to be on the road to becoming a citizen. But our gutless polititians from BOTH sides will continue to allow this never ending flow of criminals into our country for cheap labor, votes, easily influenced minds, and easily intimidated personalities. There are literally MILLIONS of foreigners whith college degrees that would do anything (legal) just to live here even if they have to start at mcdonalds or as someones maid! LET THEM IN!!!!! ILLEGALS WILL GO HOME!!!

lynwood drive resident wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:42 PM:Regardless of the fire's cause, my hat goes off to the fire fighters for a job extremely well done. Great coordination of air and ground forces. It was spectacular to watch the tankers and helicopters from our home! We felt safe and secure knowing they were containing the fire. I think they have learned from past mistakes and wasted no time getting in there and getting this fire under control. Thank you!

Polly wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:45 PM:I live above the site and I would bet it was probably from the illegals that live there illegally , of course.

Unfortunately I am pretty sure if they can't blame the fire on a neighborhood kid, we won't hear the cause. They won't announce the fact that the illegals squatting on our property, started the fire!!

Cardiffian wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:27 PM:You people are pathetic. There was a fire, the fire is out. End of story.

To a lot of experts on here wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:03 PM:Well said. Why should we waste time and money on actually examining the fire scene, when all we need to do is consult the NCT bloggers? I think the FBI might do well to leak some federal cases to the press, then just read as bloggers crack them in mere minutes!

Now white collar crime . . . that might be a problem, because the $Billions stolen in those cases might pose some challenges for our blogging investigators who wouldn't be able to blame the "usual suspects" in the lineup.

jj wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:15 PM:"Investigators will be at the scene Tuesday to find the source and cause of the fire, he said."

OK ... today is Wednesday ... how about an update as to the cause of the fire?

jj wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:18 PM:I was down there Tuesday night and no one around anywhere. I use to always see someone running across the street, but not last night.

I only saw some partially empty water bottles along the street and some mud on the side walk. No fire personnel anywhere so they must be content that all the hot spots are out.

Citizen wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:20 PM:I think we need to remain vigilant.

If anyone sees anyone living in what appears to be an illegal camp, then you need to inform the authorities.

We need to keep the pressure on the authorities to shut down all of the illegal campsites ... it is just to dangerous for our community!!!!!!!

Citizen wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:25 PM:Cardiffian wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:27 PM:

"You people are pathetic. There was a fire, the fire is out. End of story."

No .. that is not the end of the story. The community needs to learn what caused the fire and needs to take steps, if possible, so that it doesn't happen again.

What did this fire cost to put out? I want to know.

I also want to know when the community will shut down the illegal campsites so we can seriously decrease this fire threat!!!!

voice wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:26 PM:Cardiffian wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:27 PM:

"You people are pathetic. There was a fire, the fire is out. End of story."

No .. that is not the end of the story. The community needs to learn what caused the fire and needs to take steps, if possible, so that it doesn't happen again.

What did this fire cost to put out? I want to know.

I also want to know when the community will shut down the illegal campsites so we can seriously decrease this fire threat!!!!

To Cardiffian wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:20 PM:So why are you reading all our posts?

Confirmation wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:24 PM:ENCINITAS: Fire marshal says cooking fire sparked blaze
By North County Times | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:11 PM PDT ∞

ENCINITAS ---- An 8-acre brush fire that burned near homes Monday in Leucadia was probably started by a fire used for cooking in a migrant camp, an investigator concluded.

Encinitas Fire Marshal Bob Scott said he spent Tuesday and Wednesday morning examining the burned hillside, bordered by Encinitas Ranch Golf Course to the west, Garden View Road to the east and Leucadia Boulevard to the north.

He said burn patterns and other evidence showed that the fire originated in the middle of its northern edge. The area also was marked by the remnants of an abandoned migrant camp, including cookware, Scott said. A cooking fire probably sparked the blaze, he said.

The fire was reported at 1:20 p.m. Monday and was contained about five hours later after firefighters cut brush to form a perimeter around the fire while helicopters and airplanes dropped water on it.

No one was injured and no structures were damaged in the fire.

Leonard wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:48 PM:Fire chief says it was "migrant" workers that started the fire.

Had enough yet?

What if wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:16 PM:So if it had been a teenager with a magnifying glass would you call all teenagers criminals, generalize that they all hate America and demand our police keep surveillance over all teenagers moving freely in public and check their papers to prove they were born in the USA?

Cardiffian wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:17 AM:Actually, it is the end of the story until new information emerges. Once that happens, it's a new story. I read the posts because I'm interested in knowing about the fire...duh... I guess what I find so pathetic is the knee jerk reaction that "illegal" or "migrant" workers cause many of society's ills, and the only solution is simple slogans. "You guys" take a simple story about a fire and "you" turn it into a rant about illegals. It's pathetic.

shaun wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:39 AM:Cardiffian, yes .. there were a few rants that took the 'migrants caused the fire' waay to far into societies ills. But you fell into the same trap, you ranted about a few minority view rants instead of seeing the majority of the posts were sincere, logical posts on a real threat. A vast majority of the posts logically went to the probable cause, and the fact that officials to a large degree turn a blind eye to these migrant camps. Many of us local residents see the migrants crossing Garden View and going into the canyon. This nation is getting so PC we can't even empirically look at evidence if it involves casting suspicion on someone?

Citizen of Encinitas wrote on Jul 24, 2008 3:08 PM:Actually, no, it is not the end of the WHOLE story.

Yes, once the fire is out, it is the end of the story on THIS fire.

But NO, it is not the end of the story, because this area continues to NOT take steps to reduce fire dangers, and then wonders what happened when a fire starts up again.

EXTENSIVE steps need to be taken to reduce fire danger here, and one of the areas in which the area is WAY BEHIND is in removing illegal campsites, which are wildfires waiting to happen.

I find San Diego and Encinitas to be WAY BEHIND THE CURVE in thinking and thinking ahead. This opportunity can not be passed over. It is time to actually LEARN something and take extensive steps to reduce fire danger in the city!