Cal Fire Station 15’s temporary closure is a little unnerving for people in the Rancho Monserate community of Bonsall after some of the homes went up in flames during the Lilac Fire nearly nine years ago. “I have PTSD,” said Sandy Elledge. The fire destroyed Sandy’s home two months after she and her husband moved in. Many of her neighbors suffered a similar fate. Then in January 2025 flames once again forced them to evacuate. “We both got out, looked at each other, and both started to cry. And that’s like eight years later,” Elledge said. The chronic fire danger has sparked concern about the temporary fate of Cal Fire Station 15. It often leads the charge into fire fights in that area. “This station does see a lot of action, and it is a critical fire station,” said Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette. The 60-plus-year-old station is temporarily shutting down for two or three months. The old station is in need of what Cal Fire calls critical infrastructure renovations.  Cal Fire says the $190,000 in repairs are needed to fix the chronically ailing plumbing and to add two additional showers, considering the growing number of people at the station and the health hazards firefighters face. “Firefighters are high risk for cancer, so being able to wash off the carcinogens, especially in the neck area, in the areas that the carcinogens enter into the body,” said Cornette. The station’s fire engine will roll out and be stationed 17 minutes away in Escondido during the month’s long repairs. The water tender is temporarily being relocated 10 minutes away at Cal Fire Station 10 in Fallbrook. “It’s scary thinking it’s gonna take a while for somebody to get here to take care of us,” said resident Jessica Cato. “They don’t need to be doing it in the summertime during fire season,” said Dale Elledge. Cornette said he understands the response time concerns, but plans are in place. “We do have the ability to move resources as needed,” said Cornette. “All of the surrounding communities and fire districts all respond together, and North County does have some fire stations that are very close as well.” “If the fire department feels that they can handle it, then yes, I guess it gives me comfort,” said Dale. “If this goes long and has delay as well, you know, we’ll just, we’re praying people, we’ll pray through it,” Mark Cato said. The Deer Springs Fire Station will handle emergency calls during the closure. It is located just about two minutes farther away from station 15 that is under repair. ...read more read less