Firefighters extinguish fire in Ocotillo

OCOTILLO, Calif. (KYMA) - The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) says firefighters extinguished a fire in Ocotillo.

ICFD says the fire happened in the area of Sierra Vista Avenue and Agate Road, near Evan Hewes Highway, before 3 p.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, ICFD says Engine 4 saw a "rapidly spreading fire involving multiple structures and large LPG tanks," but as the fire intensified, firefighters retreated due to ammunition found in the area.

While four structures were fully engulfed in flames, ICFD says fire crews "faced the immediate threat" of nine additional homes and "the potential involvement of up to 16 more structures."

This prompted ICFD to request mutual aid from the following agencies who responded:

• Calexico Fire Department
• Yuma Fire Department
• El Centro Fire Department
• Holtville Fire Department
• Westmorland Fire Department
• NAF El Centro Fire Department
• Imperial County Sheriff's Office
• American Medical Response
• CalOES Fire & Rescue
• U.S. Border Patrol

In addition, ICFD says a "reverse-911 notification was issued to Ocotillo resident," urging them to evacuate the area, and says the American Red Cross and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) were notified, with ICFD requesting IID "to shut off power to the Sage Brush, Sierra Vista and Imperial Highway corridors to enhance firefighter safety."

Firefighters remained in the area until 4 a.m. Friday fighting the fire until it was fully extinguished.

While there were no injuries reported, there is no word on what caused the fire, and the investigation is ongoing.