San Diego, California – Two wildfires burning near Lakeside this week have tested the endurance of Cal Fire crews, disrupted daily life for local residents, and reignited questions about how California prepares for fire season in increasingly volatile terrain.
The Monte Fire, which began Tuesday afternoon in the 15000 block of El Monte Road, surged to more than 1,048 acres by Thursday, with containment hovering around 25%. Though the fire’s growth has slowed, thanks in part to cooler weather and strategic overnight efforts, officials say steep, rocky terrain continues to challenge their containment efforts. “The fire continues to burn at a slow to moderate rate of spread,” Cal Fire reported, describing a firefight as grueling as it is methodical.
As smoke drifted over the hills, a new blaze sparked Thursday around 3 p.m. near Hawick Drive, just a few miles away. Dubbed the Hawick Fire, it burned 51 acres before crews managed to stop its forward progress by late afternoon. Cal Fire later reported the fire was 50% contained by 9:30 p.m., though crews remained on site through the night, constructing hand lines and extinguishing hotspots…