Brush Fire At San Diego-Mexico Border Scorches Hundreds Of Acres, Prompts Evacuation Warnings

SAN DIEGO, CA — A cross-border brush fire burning in rugged terrain along the U.S.-Mexico border blackened hundreds of acres and prompted evacuation warnings Tuesday as firefighters worked to slow its spread.

The blaze, dubbed the Border 6 Fire, sparked shortly before 2 p.m. Monday near Marron Valley Road in Dulzura, according to Cal Fire. By Tuesday afternoon, the fire had burned about 300 acres north of the border and more than 400 acres in Mexico.

"The fire continues to spread at a critical rate, requiring extended attack operations," officials said.

By Tuesday evening, the fire had burned about 700 acres on the U.S. side of the border and another 520 acres in Mexico. The blaze remained 0% contained.

A Cal Fire Hawk helicopter was assigned to assist with overnight suppression efforts.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings for residents in zones SDC-2544, SDC-2545, SDC-2605, SDC-2643, SDC-2644 and SDC-2645.

A temporary evacuation point was established at the Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego parking lot at 2951 Jamacha Road in El Cajon.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.