SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A fire broke out Tuesday in a San Diego County riverbed for the third time in less than a week, and there is concern the danger will only increase as the weather gets cooler.
According to Chula Vista Fire Captain Kurt Bacca, Tuesday's fire scorched the river bottom off Beyer Way and Main Street, and is the third fire in three days.
Last Thursday, a fire on the San Diego riverbed in Mission Valley burned one acre.
Captain Bacca said they have not determined the exact cause in the recent brush fires. While there are no trespassing signs posted, the riverbed is filled with homeless encampments and debris.
"We see stoves, a warming fire that got out of control. Sometimes we have no idea how it started. Nine out of ten times, with so much debris on these fires, it's hard to pinpoint how the fires started," said Captain Bacca.
Arson investigators could not find the ignition in the Mission Valley fire, but suspect a homeless encampment.
In 2014, National City Police issued trespassing notices and ordered homeless to vacate the Sweetwater Riverbed because of ten fires that had ignited over the course of one year.
The Chula Vista Police said its street team with community outreach members works with the homeless and those living in the riverbed.