A firefighter leans over the back yard fence of a home on Highland Court to spray water on the flames. (Photo by Andrea Carli)
The investigation is in the early stages at this point, but Fire Department investigators are looking into possible sources of Thursday’s Bluff Fire, even as residents of the neighborhood report hearing fireworks and witnessing individuals in the area moments before the blaze.
Two residents of the area off Twilight Vista Drive who live just west of Hidden Meadows Park said today that they heard fireworks and witnessed possible suspects on the hillside just before the fire started about 3:45 p.m. One reported the incident to police.
Menifee PD today referred Menifee 24/7 to CAL FIRE Riverside County, where Captain John Clingingsmith Jr. said that details of the investigation weren’t being released at this point.
“The Fire Department has a Law Enforcement Bureau with 17 members whose duties include investigating the origin and cause of fire,” he said for general information. “These personnel come from the fire service and are fully sworn California P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officers with additional specialized training as fire investigators.”
Menifee PD did not comment on whether a July 8 incident near the area could be related to the fire. According to PD spokesperson Chase Coburn, “Officers responded to a report of a group of juveniles on private property in the Briggs Road and Garbani Road area. One juvenile was cited and released to their parents. The remaining juveniles cooperated with officers and were released to their parents. There were no injuries reported.”
According to a resident who called police in that incident, several juveniles in a pickup truck came onto private property in a field west of Briggs Road and started a bonfire.
“Regarding your question about multiple fires occurring in the same area, all fire reports regardless of whether a bureau investigator is assigned are forwarded to the Law Enforcement Bureau. The bureau reviews and compares reports to identify any similarities or potential connections between incidents,” Clingingsmith said.
Thursday’s fire burned 30 acres and threatened homes west, north and east of the north side of Bell Mountain. Firefighters accessed the area behind the park and neighboring homes at the end of Highland Court to get to the flames, which came within a few yards of homes at the end of several cul-de-sacs next to the mountain.
No homes were damaged other than ash and red fire retardant that was dropped by a plane and helicopter to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported.
Area residents said today they were nervous and scared but were impressed with the work of firefighters and how well neighbors helped one another.
“We just started networking with neighbors,” said Monica Carli, whose house backs up to the hill next to Hidden Meadows Park. “I was impressed with how quickly the neighbors got out and worked together to help each other.
“I was coming home when I saw this billow of smoke. The flames were already three-quarters of the way down the hill. I saw two people at the park, but there was no other movement anywhere. I ran into the house and told Andrea (her husband) that the hill’s on fire.”
Andrea Carli said he climbed the hill behind his backyard swimming pool and turned a water hose on flames that were just on the other side of the iron fence.
“The fire advanced so quickly,” he said. “At that point I thought we were losing the house, because there were no firefighters yet. As soon as they came, they pretty quickly stopped the flames.”
Andrea said firefighters used his back yard to access the fire area and used firehoses to attack the flames on the other side of the fence. Moments later, a plane dropped fire retardant, which the Carlis said saved their home.
“It was very emotional,” Monica Carli said. “We’re so grateful for the great work the firefighters did and how well they worked together with the police.
“It was our first fire. We knew at some point it would probably happen, but it was so scary.”
Monica is on the board of directors of the local HOA. She said the group would definitely be meeting to assess how they could better prepare to have an emergency plan for the neighborhood.
Dorothy Nemelka lives next door. She said she and her daughter Cynthia were alerted by Monica Carli and quickly left the area to stay safe.
“She started pounding on my door,” Dorothy Nemelka said about Monica Carli. “I looked out the back door and I could see the flames. We grabbed a few things. You think, ‘What do I need?’ I got my medicines, my living trust book.
“The emotional thing for me was, (Cynthia) was not going to be here this week. I would’ve been here alone. I don’t drive. But she had changed her plans.”
Nemelka also praised the work of firefighters, saying fire and police officials returned for door-to-door visits in the evening to check on residents.
Flames are seen just beyond the backyard fence of the Carli home. (Photo by Andrea Carli)
Beyond the playground at the park, the hillside is charred. (Staff photo)
The dirt access road between the park and Twilight Vista Drive was burned. (Staff photo)
Farther east, the remains of fire retardant are visible on the hillside at the top of Rocky River Road. (Staff photo)
Flames are seen behind the park in the early stages of the fire. (Photo by Andrea Carli)
A helicopter refills at Menifee Lakes for a water drop. (Photo by Robert Layton)
