LOS COYOTES INDIAN RESERVATION ---- The Eagle Fire, which had scorched 14,100 acres by Wednesday afternoon, was caused by arson, sources close to the investigation said.

No further details were available about the type of arson that reportedly started the fire around 10 a.m. July 21 near Highway 79 South and Camino San Ignacio.
The blaze was 55 percent contained, and had all but stopped spreading east, Capt. Mike Smith of the California Department of Forestry said Wednesday. It was not threatening structures.

The fire spread into a desert canyon a few miles west of Borrego Springs on Tuesday, but authorities sent helicopters and fire engines to keep it from heading farther east into populated areas.

The fire apparently started near the Eagle Rock Training Center, a privately-operated training facility on the reservation that is used by the military and Hollywood film crews.

Weapons fire being used for military training started a fire May 11 at the training facility.

An outbuilding at the center was the only structure destroyed by the fire, authorities said. Six injuries have been reported, including several heat injuries to fire personnel.

The cost of fighting the blaze was estimated to be more than $6.5 million.
Much of the cost is believed to be related to the intensive use of aircraft, CalFire spokesman Tom Piranio said.

Because of the remote and rough terrain, crews have to be airlifted to the front lines of the fire, he said.
Call staff writer Morgan Co

ok at 760-739-6675.