Border 32 Fire: 3 Injured, 10 Structures Destroyed, 4,438 Acres Burned

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Hundreds of firefighters Thursday continued to battle a wildfire that scorched thousands of acres, destroyed structures, forced evacuations, and prompted road and school closures in rural eastern San Diego County.

The blaze sparked shortly after 2:15 p.m. off Barrett Lake Road and state Route 94 in the Barrett Junction area, southeast of Dulzura, according to Cal Fire San Diego. The fire destroyed four structures, including at least one home.

Three people were injured in the fire, two critically. Two men suffered severe burns as the fire spread, Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots said. Paramedics airlifted them to UCSD Medical Center in San Diego. A firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene before being released to continue battling the flames.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire, which officials called the Border 32 Fire, was holding at 4,438 acres and was 5 percent contained.

• Previous coverage: Wildfire Scorches 4,243 Acres In Barrett Junction Area Of San Diego

"Fire crews worked through the night to slow the spread of the fire," county spokesperson Chuck Westerheide said. "More than 300 firefighters are continuing to fight the fire today, and officials said weather will continue to be a challenge.

Cal Fire air resources and San Diego County Sheriff's ASTREA helicopters were making water drops, Westerheide said. Damage assessment teams were assessing structures.

Authorities ordered evacuations Wednesday for the Barrett Lake Road area, Coyote Holler Road area and Round Potrero Road near Potrero and Dulzura, according to the county. View an interactive map of the evacuation area.

The Tecate border entry was closed due to the fire, according to the sheriff's department. SR-94 was also shut down between Forrest Gate Road in Campo and Otay Lakes Road in Dulzura. Barrett School Road was closed at SR-94.

Sheriff's deputies were patrolling the area Thursday to watch for suspicious activity and keep roads clear for firefighters.

Schools in the Jamul-Dulzura Union and Mountain Empire Unified school districts were closed Thursday due to the fire, the San Diego County Office of Education announced.

Shelters were available at Jamul Casino at 14145 Campo Road in Jamul and Mountain Empire High School at 3305 Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley. Pets can be taken to Mountain Empire High School, where San Diego Humane Society is providing support at the site. Large animals should be taken to the county's South Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.