Redlands Firefighters responding to an early morning structure fire off of San Timoteo Canyon Road discovered an illegal marijuana cultivation operation with thousands of plants.
Firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire in the 12800 block of San Timoteo Canyon Road at approximately 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. Upon arrival, crews found one 100-by-20-foot outbuilding well involved in flames. The fire had also spread through nearby eucalyptus trees to a second outbuilding where firefighters discovered a sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation.
A third building with thousands of additional marijuana plants and cultivation equipment was not damaged by the fire.
The Redlands Police Department’s Street Enforcement Team and members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Marijuana Enforcement Team responded to investigate the illegal cultivation operation.
Commercial marijuana activity, including commercial cultivation of marijuana, is prohibited under Chapter 18.18 of the City of Redlands Municipal Code.
In total, more than 11,000 marijuana plants and 83 pounds of harvested product were taken for destruction.
It took firefighters approximately an hour to extinguish the fire. Crews were likely to remain on scene for most of the day to fully extinguish and investigate the blaze. In addition to the Redlands Fire Department, firefighters from Cal Fire, Yucaipa, Loma Linda and San Bernardino County also responded.
The fire apparently started in what appeared to be a living section of the outbuilding, which was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is under investigation. A dog with minor burn injuries was rescued and given to Animal Control. No other injuries were reported.
Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at https://www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime. Suspicious activity and tips can be reported using the City of Redlands 311 mobile app available for Android, iPhones, and iPads.
Redlands Police and Fire Department press releases and other information are available on the department Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/redlandspolicedepartment or www.facebook.com/redlandsfiredepartment and on the City website at www.cityofredlands.org.
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