Wildfire Forces Evacuations, Threatens Homes In Potrero Area

POTRERO, CA — A fast-moving wildfire blackened hundreds of acres, forced evacuations and threatened homes Thursday in southeastern San Diego County.

The blaze, called the Coyote Fire, sparked at 12:10 p.m. on Coyote Holler Road in the community of Potrero, according to Cal Fire. As of roughly 8:45 p.m., the fire remained at 400 acres and was 5 percent contained.

Crews on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters fought the flames as the fire moved with a "dangerous rate of spread" through the afternoon, according to Cal Fire. A total of 180 firefighting personnel were assigned to the fire Thursday evening. Resources included 26 engines, four water tenders, and two dozers.

The blaze burned 20 acres by 1 p.m., grew to 100 acres by 2:45 p.m., and reached 400 acres by 5:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire. The flames threatened structures in the areas of Horizon View, Round Potrero Road and Yerba Santa Road.

There were no reports of structural damage or injuries.

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.

"An evacuation order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life," the order read.

To ensure the availability of school buses and safe transport routes in areas impacted by the fire, the Mountain Empire Unified School District voluntarily evacuated Potrero Elementary School at 24875 Potrero Valley Road, according to the San Diego County Office of Education. All schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed on Friday.

"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 of the Office of Education.

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 was accepting evacuated animals, including livestock, at the South Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita, according to the sheriff's department. San Diego Humane Society's Emergency Response Team was activated to support the department with evacuating animals from areas affected by the fire.

Authorities closed Round Potrero Road between Yerba Santa Road and Potrero Valley Road due to the blaze.

"Please drive slowly," officials said on social media. "Watch out for deputies, firefighters and fire equipment."

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory 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.

"In areas where you smell smoke it is advised that you limit physical/outdoor activity," the advisory read. "If possible, stay indoors to limit your exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially those residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children."

The cause of the fire was under investigation.