California state fire investigators are zeroing in on a San Diego Gas & Electric power line as the potential cause of the Rice Canyon Fire in San Diego County. The fire caused five injuries, destroyed 248 structures, and burned 9,472 acres in the Fallbrook area. The Rice fire is among several that are under investigation that may have been caused by electric lines, according to fire officials. In the Los Angeles area, the recent fires have triggered a county review of how the fire hazard from power lines can be further minimized beyond existing vegetation clearance requirements. In the case of the Rice fire, the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of the blaze and does not expect to issue a final report for up to weeks, department spokesperson Matt Streck said. Until, then, he said, he could not discuss the cause of the fire. However, North County Fire District chief William Metcalf told Circuit, “We have been told by Cal Fire that the fire started from downed power lines, with no further details.” He said that the area in which the fire started is under jurisdiction of the state agency. A district staff member, who asked for anonymity, further elaborated saying that even though the utility has an active tree trimming program the Santa Ana winds were enough to blow sparks from the line to nearby vegetation in the dry rural area. The California Department of Forestry & Fire enforces tree trimming and vegetation clearance standards for power transmission and distribution systems in the area. After it completes its investigation it will forward its report to the San Diego County District Attorney if it reveals possible legal violations, said Streck. It then will be up to the District Attorney to decide whether to pursue any case. SDG&E is cooperating with fire investigators, said Jennifer Briscoe, company spokesperson. “Given the severe weather conditions we had two weeks ago, power lines can serve as ignition sources,” she acknowledged. “We maintain and operate our system safely, in compliance with stringent state and federal regulatory requirements,” stated SDG&E. In the face of hurricane-force winds and single-digit humidity, the utility added, “no electric system can be completely protected from such severe weather.” In Los Angeles County, the recent fires triggered the County Board of Supervisors to order its staff to work with Southern California Edison to determine ways to lower the fire risk posed by electric lines. Meanwhile, in Sacramento on November 6, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called on the Blue Ribbon Task Force to review how the state and localities can do a better job of preventing fires. Among the issues of concern are “defensible space” and “building standards.” After the 2003 fires, the state increased the standard for brush clearance around structures from a 30 to 100 foot perimeter. While the governor did not single out the adequacy of clearance requirements for power facilities, he did call on the task force to assess “other public policies” that “can and should play a role in preventing and fighting fires.”