Buchanan Canyon Fire Contained With No Damage, Community Reflects

Another canyon fire! As aerial support continually circled overhead, firefighters attacked the flame-engulfed palm trees at the base of Buchanan Canyon that parallels Johnson Ave. This was the 5th fire in as many years and the second in less than 6 months in the canyons surrounding our home. All were suspected of being caused by people experiencing homelessness.

At 1:17 p.m. on April 26, a vegetation fire was reported in the canyon near the 1200 block of Johnson. Firefighters quickly contained it, only to have it jump the line and flare up. Support crews were positioned along the canyon rim at Johnson, Maryland Pl., Proctor, and Meade.

Despite the heavy vegetation in the canyon, we were fortunate it was slow-moving, and no structures or homes were threatened. Police detained someone seen leaving the area of the fire but he was released due to a lack of evidence.

According to a report by SDFD, the response included 12 engines, 4 brush rigs, 2 helicopters, 7 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Division Chief, SDPD, and a Humane Society officer. CalFire and the City of Poway sent a crew to help out. A total of 95 personnel were assigned.

After the blaze was finally contained, 2 trucks and an unknown number of firefighters spent the night on site in the event there was another flare-up. Our deepest gratitude goes out to all the fire personnel who responded.

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As the streets of University Heights become increasingly congested due to all the housing, both new and proposed, combined with proposed cuts to all city departments, should our community ever need to evacuate due to a canyon fire similar to what happened recently in Los Angeles, we too will be abandoning our cars and running for our lives. Let’s hope it never comes to that.