Containment Grows On Campo Wildfire That Prompted Evacuations, Freeway Closures

CAMPO, CA — Crews worked overnight Wednesday to contain a wildfire that prompted evacuations and forced freeway closures in southeastern San Diego County.

As of Thursday morning, the Tusil Fire in Campo remained at 820 acres, downgraded from 1,000 acres due to more accurate mapping, according to Cal Fire. Containment increased to 73%.

The blaze broke out around 1 p.m. Tuesday in the 37000 block of Tusil Road, just north of I-8, according to Cal Fire.

Fire officials said the fire was burning in light to moderate brush and threatening nearby structures. Within about an hour, the fire had spread over the grounds of Campo Indian Reservation, charred 30 acres and was moving toward I-8.

At one point, the fire threatened homes, according to Cal Fire. By late Tuesday afternoon, the blaze had crossed I-8 and damaged an outbuilding and a vehicle, officials said.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders and warnings for neighborhoods near the burn area. Evacuation orders have since been lifted, but some evacuation warnings remained in place Thursday morning. View the map here.

Authorities closed a stretch of the freeway in the area as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters battled the blaze.

The California Highway Patrol shut down eastbound I-8 at Crestwood Road and eastbound I-8 at Kitchen Creek Road. As of Thursday morning, the second lane remained closed on westbound I-8 from west of Crestwood Road to east of La Posta Road. All other lanes have reopened.

There were 178 personnel assigned to the fire Thursday, including 25 engines, seven hand crews, two helicopters, two water tenders, one dozer and 25 other resources.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.