Residential Property Investigated As Possible Starting Point Of Falls Fire

A property located in the 34000 block of Ortega Highway was the scene of an ongoing investigation Tuesday into the cause of the Falls Fire. 

Several fire investigators were at the rural location, marking evidence and taking notes, according to a Patch reporter on scene.

A ranch manager at nearby Canyon Oaks Ranch spotted the blaze and called 9-1-1 around 10 a.m. Monday, according to Kate Roth, the owner of Canyon Oaks Ranch.

Roth said there was no other fire burning in the area prior to the blaze next door. Officials are not confirming that a structure fire on the rural property is to blame, but they haven’t ruled it out.

Ralph Gonzalez, a spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service, said a house fire in Morrell Canyon did spark "before the incident" began Monday morning.

"We can't say yet whether that caused this fire," he continued. He didn’t speculate on what may have caused the structure fire. "We are still investigating."

Viewing the investigation scene Tuesday, it was hard to tell what kind of structure(s) burned at the property. Piles of charred rubble and patches of black sagebrush were being combed through by investigators. Situated next to the burned out areas on the property, a mobile home and outbuildings were still standing. 

The Falls Fire continues to burn, although firefighters gained the upper hand Monday night. Click here for the latest updates on acres burned, injuries, and containment.