A quiet day at Agua Caliente County Park in East County turned tense yesterday after a park ranger spotted a suspicious box near Agua Caliente Spring Road, prompting a rush of emergency units, authorities said. San Diego County Sheriff's deputies and CAL FIRE crews responded to the scene as officials opened an active investigation into the mysterious item.
According to FOX 5 San Diego, the initial call came yesterday afternoon after the ranger reported the box near the roadway. The outlet reported that CAL FIRE joined sheriff's units at the park and that crews were still working the area at the time of its report.
What the Bomb/Arson Unit Does
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office operates a Bomb/Arson Unit that handles suspicious devices, conducts post-blast investigations, and, in its own words, "renders safe" suspected explosives. Unit members are certified bomb technicians, and their mission includes making safe or removing suspected improvised explosive devices, according to the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit.
What To Expect Next
When a suspected device is reported, standard procedure is to secure a perimeter while technicians assess the item and, if necessary, remove it or render it safe. As of the most recent public reports, there was no word on what, if anything, was inside the box or whether anyone was injured, and FOX 5 San Diego described the situation as a developing incident. This story will be updated as agencies release more information.
