Firefighters battle suspicious fires
San Diego Union Tribune – San Diego,CA,USA
Crews from Vista, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Rainbow, Encinitas and Camp
Pendleton, and Copter One, aided in battling the blazes. …

OCEANSIDE – For the second time in 48 hours since Friday, firefighters battled suspicious fires that broke out along the San Luis Rey riverbed northwest of the Oceanside Airport.

When firefighters arrived just before 6 p.m. Sunday, they found two separate fires burning in the thick vegetation in the riverbed in roughly the same spot as two fires Friday night, an Oceanside fire spokesman said.

Once the two fires were extinguished, firefighters had to attack a third blaze that broke out about 200 yards southwest of the area where they were working.

About 2 to 3 acres were scorched under dangerous conditions that included low humidity and wind. Crews from Vista, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Rainbow, Encinitas and Camp Pendleton, and Copter One, aided in battling the blazes.

The fires were under control by 7:30 p.m. and mop up work was expected to continue this morning, Oceanside fire officials said. No one was injured and no buildings were threatened.

On Friday night, about 5 acres were burned in two separate fires in the riverbed. Two firefighters were slightly injured.

Authorities say no witnesses saw the fires being started and they are considered suspicious.

The area is known to be used for homeless encampments and fire crews found debris indicating people were living there was scattered around.