Border Fire Update: 1,550 Firefighters Battle From Front Lines

San Diego County, CA — The Border Fire in southeastern San Diego County has been mapped at 6,020 acres in size — down from 7,500 as previously reported — and is 10 percent contained, with evacuations still in effect for hundreds of residents, according to a Tuesday evening update from Cal Fire San Diego.

More than 1,550 firefighters from agencies across San Diego County and the state of California, 158 engines, six helicopters, four air tankers and seven bulldozers remained on the front lines Tuesday, battling the wildfire that broke out for unknown reasons at 11 a.m. Sunday off Highway 188 and Highway 94 in the sparsely-populated area near Tecate, not far from the U.S. Mexico border, the state agency said.

New evacuation orders were issued at 2 p.m. for the community of Lake Morena Village, northwest of Campo — specifically, a two-mile radius around Lake Morena Drive and Oak Drive west of Buckman Springs Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

State Route 94 west of Buckman Springs and eastbound SR-94 at the 188 remained closed Tuesday because of the blaze. Authorities have also closed the southernmost portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in Campo.

"The fire continues to move to the north and northeast threatening portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as well as surrounding communities," according to Cal Fire. "Firefighters will continue to construct containment lines day and night to slow the growth of the fire eventually stopping the spread of the fire."

• 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

Four outbuildings have been destroyed by the wildland fire that continues to threaten at least 800 private residences and other structures.

Mandatory evacuations remained in effect Tuesday for the rural communities of Potrero, Forest Gate, Star Ranch, Cowboy Ranch, Dog Patch and Canyon City. Residents are being directed to go to an evacuation center set up by the American Red Cross at Los Coches Creek Middle School, located at 9669 Dunbar Lane in Blossom Valley, an unincorporated community of El Cajon.

Thirty-seven people stayed at the shelter overnight, the sheriff's department reported.

Mountain Empire Unified Schools were closed Tuesday as residents remained evacuated from the area.

The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services has rescued hundreds of animals.

• Border Fire: Shots Fired As Animal Control Officers Work to Rescue Livestock

Owners of large animals were advised to take them to:

• Circle T Ranch at 24215 Viejas Grade Road in Descanso. Owners must care for their animals' needs while at the ranch, a temporary shelter being managed by the San Diego Humane Society; or
• The U.S. Border Patrol Boulevard Station at 2463 Ribbonwood Road in Boulevard, a shelter being managed by the County Department of Animal Services.

Record-breaking temperatures Monday worsened the scenario for firefighters.

"Excessive heat which is uncharacteristic for this time of year, steep terrain, extremely dry vegetation due to many years of drought, difficult access and winds have produced extremely erratic fire behavior making it very difficult for firefighters to mitigate this incident," officials said.

• Excessive Heat Wave Breaks More Records Across San Diego County

Three firefighters suffered heat-related injuries over the first two days of the blaze but there have been no further reports of injuries.

Major agencies assisting in the firefight include San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego County Fire, U.S. Border Patrol, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.

Authorities urged residents in need of emergency evacuation assistance to call 911.

Patch will update this post throughout the day as more information becomes available.

(Photo courtesy of the city of Poway)

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