Man Sets Fire With Lighter As Blaze Quickly Spreads And Forces Evacuations In Spring Valley

Aerial drone footage from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program captures the unfolding incident involving a man setting a fire with a lighter that developed into a fast-moving vegetation blaze on May 25, 2026.

The footage shows a man moving through dense vegetation in a riverbed area behind Quarry Road near the Spring Valley Swap Meet. Dressed in dark clothing, he navigates rugged terrain as a drone tracks his movement from above.

The video shows brush and open sections of the riverbed, with nearby residential areas, roads, and the surrounding landscape visible in the background. Ground deputies and an ASTREA helicopter coordinated using live aerial video during the response.

Authorities responded shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Monday after reports of a man using a lighter to set a palm tree on fire in the 6000 block of Quarry Road. The fire spread rapidly and threatened nearby homes, leading to temporary evacuations along the 8800 block of Spring Canyon Drive. The blaze grew into a roughly 5-acre fire known as the Leigh Fire.

As emergency crews responded, the drone provided real-time tracking and situational awareness before being grounded to allow firefighting aircraft to operate safely. Ground units and CHP officers also assisted in managing the evolving incident.

The situation highlights how a single ignition can escalate quickly into a larger emergency, requiring coordinated aerial and ground response across the affected area.