Wildfire Prompts School, Road Closures In Potrero Area Of SD County

POTRERO, CA — Containment has grown on a wildfire that blackened hundreds of acres, forced evacuations and threatened homes in southeastern San Diego County.

The Coyote Fire sparked Thursday afternoon on Coyote Holler Road in the community of Potrero. As of Friday morning, the fire was holding at 466 acres and was 10 percent contained after crews worked to stop the spread of the flames overnight, according to Cal Fire. Two structures have been destroyed, one home and an outbuilding, Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette told Patch.

• Previous coverage: Wildfire Forces Evacuations, Threatens Homes In Potrero Area

A total of 225 firefighting personnel were assigned to the fire Friday morning. Resources included 25 engines, seven water tenders, four helicopters and eight hand crews. One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital Thursday evening, Cornette said.

"Firefighters will remain on scene actively engaged in perimeter control and extinguishing hotspots throughout the coming days," Cal Fire officials said in the latest update.

All schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District were closed Friday due to the fire.

"The safety of our students, their families, and our staff remains our top priority, and the district will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available," said Music Watson, spokesperson for the San Diego County Office of Education.

On Thursday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department issued an evacuation order for residents on Round Potrero Road between Yerba Santa Road and Potrero Valley Road. A temporary shelter was established at the Mountain Empire High School at 3305 Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley.

The County Department of Animal Services accepted evacuated animals, including livestock, at the South Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. San Diego Humane Society's Emergency Response Team was activated to support the department with evacuating animals from areas affected by the fire.

Campo Road was closed Friday morning due to the fire, according to the County Department of Public Works. Potrero Valley Road was also closed from Potrero Park Drive to Round Potrero Road. Round Potrero Road remained closed between Yerba Santa Road and Potrero Valley.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory on Thursday for parts of southern San Diego County. As of Thursday afternoon, smoke was blowing toward the northeast, according to the air district. Smoke was impacting areas near Potrero and northeast of the fire, including Mount Laguna and Pine Valley.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.