Border Fire: Evacuation Shelter to Close as Containment Progresses

[Photo by Ed Sherman]

Potrero, CA — Firefighters continued to gain more control Friday of the massive Border Fire that has been burning for more than five days in rural southeastern San Diego County.

The wildland blaze that erupted about 11 a.m. Sunday near the junction of Highways 94 and 188 in the Potrero area— just north of the U.S.-Mexico border — was 7,483 acres in size and 45 percent contained as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire-San Diego.

Although it was a positive development Thursday when all evacuation orders were lifted for residents who had been forced to flee more than 1,000 homes in Canyon City, Cowboy Ranch, Dog Patch, Forest Gate, Potrero, Star Ranch and Lake Morena Village, Cal Fire said Friday they should "continue to be prepared to evacuate if need be."

"This is still a dynamic and active fire ... Mop up and patrol of the fire area will continue for several days, extinguishing the hot spots within the fire perimeter," Cal Fire officials stated.

An evacuation shelter that has been in place most of the week at Los Coches Creek Middle School in Alpine will close at 7 p.m. Friday, according to the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.

Those entering areas affected by the Border Fire were asked to "drive slowly and cautiously ... for there will be a heavy presence of fire equipment and fire personnel along the roadways and within the fire area for several days to come."

More than 1,900 firefighters were still assigned to the fire that has destroyed five homes and 11 other structures, and damaged another home. Officials say of the five homes destroyed, three were secondary residences on the same parcel as the primary home.

Road closures Friday included Harris Ranch Road one and a half miles north of Highway 94; Vollmer Road at the "Y" intersection about one-fourth of a mile north of 94; and Martin Road about one-fourth of a mile west of the Y intersection of 94. Officials said only residents are permitted to entered Harris Ranch and Martin roads.

The Pacific Coast Trail also remained closed in the area.

Utility crews were working to repair power lines and replace poles damaged by the blaze, according to Cal Fire. Service has been restored to all but 10 addresses, and those were expected to be back online by 8 p.m., SDG&E reported.

Related coverage of the Border Fire:

• Border Fire: County Animal Services to the Rescue
• Border Fire Update: All Evacuation Orders Lifted
• Border Fire Update: 5 Homes Destroyed, Some Evacuations Lifted as Firefight Continues
• Border Fire Update: 1,550 Firefighters Battle From Front Lines
• Border Fire: Shots Fired As Animal Control Officers Work to Rescue Livestock
• Border Fire: Firefighters Injured, More Evacuations Under Way As Blaze Scorches 7,500 Acres
• Border Fire in San Diego County Grows to 1,500 Acres