Almost all of the fires that have raged in San Diego county over the past several days are now suspected of having a ‘suspicious ignition point,’ according to 10 News KGTV, the city’s local ABC News affiliate. County Supervisor Bill Horn speculated early on that he couldn’t imagine all of the fires weren’t connected.
On Tuesday, the first day of the fires, Governor Jerry Brown told San Diego residents that fire season was lasting longer due to climate change, according to a news report by KUSI. Brown reportedly used the suggestion to support changes in the $107 billion operating budget he presented to Sacramento that morning. Brown made similar comments last year to the Los Angeles Times: “Our climate is changing, the weather is becoming more intense.”
Still, a number of reports are pointing to arson as the suspected cause of the numerous fires. A Joint Arson Task Force has been set up to investigate the source of the fires. 10 News has reported having sources that say all but one of the fires are arson.
Two arrests were made in San Diego Thursday evening of two men, one 19 and one a juvenile, on suspicion that they were involved in setting a fire in the Escondido area. No connection has been made at this time between the two and other fires in San Diego, 10 News reported.
Driving through Camp Pendleton, drivers could still see hills covered in giant flames from the I-5 freeway Thursday night. Called the Las Pulgas fire, the blaze reportedly grew to 8,000 acres overnight.
One person was found dead in the Carlsbad area, the first casualty associated with the fires. The area in which the body was found is known to be used as a transient camp.
Black patches are strewn across thousands of acres throughout San Diego County as residents return and some sift through what remains of their homes. A few of the fires have been contained, allowing evacuations in Carlsbad, Fallbrook and some portions of San Marcos to be lifted.
San Diego County Emergency’s website has current updates regarding the fires including updates from CAL Fire.
Governor Brown declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, releasing additional resources to assist in fighting the fires.
Photo: Gregory Bull/AP
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