FALLBROOK, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A vehicle’s failing catalytic converter started a series of small brush fires along a highway in northern San Diego County over the weekend.
The “Star Fire” broke out around 8:47 p.m. Saturday off of Highway 76 and Via Monserate in the Fallbrook area.
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Cal Fire reported Sunday morning investigators were able to determine the fires were started by fragments of a failing catalytic converter from a passing malfunctioning vehicle. Malfunctioning catalytic converters can shed hot metal fragments that can ignite dry vegetation, according to the agency.
Firefighters contained the small brush fires in just 15 minutes Saturday night, but stayed at the scene for two hours to fully put out all hot spots from the fires that burned about 0.32 acres, according to Cal Fire.
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Traffic on SR-76 east was down to one lane until around 10:30 p.m.
Cal Fire said warning signs of a malfunctioning catalytic converter can include reduced engine performance, a sulfur or “rotten egg” smell, or rattling noises…