Valley Fire: Two Firefighters Injured; More Residents Flee

ALPINE, CA — Fire crews fought to contain the fast burning Valley Fire in sweltering heat Labor Day Monday as the fire prompted four new evacuation orders. Two firefighters were injured battling the blaze Monday, which nearly doubled in size in 24 hours, according to Kendal Bortisser, a fire captain at Cal Fire.

The fire has burned 10,258 acres and was at 1 percent containment Monday evening. The fire forced evacuations in eastern San Diego County and destroyed 11 inhabitable structures as well as 25 out-buildings, with many more threatened.

The fire burned out of control overnight, aggravated by gusts up to 25 mph in dry heat. The fire swelled in the Lawson Valley and Carveacre areas and threatened the Loveland Reservoir.

A new evacuation order for North Fork, Corte Madera, south of Pine Valley went into effect Monday afternoon, officials reported. The mandate followed Monday morning evacuation orders for Corral Canyon off-road area, Bob Cat Meadows and Los Pinos.

The town of North Fork and surrounding are under mandatory evacuation order. Rd 221, Rd 222, Rd 226, and Rd 200 and all tributary roads are included. Please do not wait for an order to leave if you feel threatened.
Wishon and Bass Lake Annex are under advisement. #CreekFire
— Madera Co. Sheriff (@MaderaSheriff) September 7, 2020

Thousands were left without power all over San Diego County after the fire damaged power lines and threatened Sunrise Power 500 KV power lines, which supply a large portion of San Diego County's electricity. Some where also without running water, according to multiple reports. Many would likely be without power until Tuesday at noon, according to SDG&E.

The military was activated, adding six helicopters to battle the blaze Monday.

More than 374 firefighters chased the flames Monday, which were aggravated by gusty winds, driving the blaze uphill overnight. Crews face a unique challenge with the Valley Fire as they work to build control lines on rugged and steep terrain.

Emergency evacuation orders were given at 3:45 a.m. Sunday for areas west of the intersection of Japatul Road and Lyons Valley Road. Saturday evening, evacuation orders were given for the Carveacre area and all of Lawson Valley.

Residents of the surrounding areas were invited to take shelter at Joan McQueen Middle School at 2001 Tavern Road or Steele Canyon High School at 2440 Campo Road.

Road closures were announced Monday morning for the following locations:

• Lawson Valley Road at Skyline Truck Trail
• Wisecarver Lane at Skyline Truck Trail
• Japatul Road at Tavern Road
• Japatul Road at Lions Valley Road
• Lyons Valley Road at Skyline Truck Trail

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Sunday in San Diego County due to the fire, as well as counties of Fresno, Madera and Mariposa due to the Creek Fire and for San Bernardino County due to the El Dorado Fire.

"Because of the proactive efforts of [Cal Fire], today we will be exercising the agreement we have with the Navy Third Fleet and the First Marine Expeditionary Force to utilize military aircraft on the #ValleyFire," Cal Fire tweeted Monday morning.

A dangerous and record-shattering heat wave hampered fire efforts over the weekend, forcing first responders to work in gusty, triple digit heat. Cooler and lighter winds were forecasted Monday, which should help slow the spread throughout Monday.

Strike teams, military efforts and local firefighters were on the ground fighting the fire as structures were threatened in the Carveacre and Lawson Valley, Wood Valley, Lyons Valley, Deer Valley and Sycuan Indian Reservation. Resources included five crews, 56 engines, six bulldozers, six helicopters and seven water tenders.

More than 15,000 San Diego residents were left without power Sunday as the fire combined with the state's heat wave placed an enormous strain on the state's power grid, San Diego County utility officials said.

The utility said it has crews staged at the site of the fire and will work to restore power once Cal Fire determines it is safe to enter the area.

READ MORE: 15,000 San Diego County Homes Without Power: Report

Saturday afternoon, fire blocked roadways in the Carveacre community and residents who became stranded were told to shelter in place.

The San Diego Humane Society was preparing its Emergency Response Team for a third day of assisting with animal evacuations in the Valley Fire Monday. Those who needed assistance evacuating an animal were urged to call 619-299-7012 and press 1.

"Remember to evacuate early, take your pets with you, bring food and water," The Humane Society tweeted Sunday morning.

The Orange County Fire Authority on Saturday said it dispatched a "strike team" of five fire engines and two battalion chiefs to assist their southern colleagues, joining crews from the Cleveland National Forest and CalFire.

``Firefighters are working against extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs and long-range spotting,'' the agency said.

The communities affected when weather damaged equipment were Dehesa, Alpine, Rancho Palo Verde, Harbison Canyon, Glen Oaks, West Alpine, Jamacha,West Jamul, Indian Springs, Lyons Valley, and Barrett Lake.

The fire began burning off Spirit Trail and Japatul Road in the Japatul Valley area and quickly burned more than 1,500 acres in just a few hours. Firefighters from the Cleveland National Forest and Cal Fire were responding to the fire, which threatened structures.

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen billowing out from the hillside as the fire burned actively. Residents of southwest Riverside County reported smokey skies from the fire as well.

SEE ALSO: Valley Fire Sends Smoke Across Southwest Riverside County

Because of the proactive efforts of @CAL_FIRE , today we will be exercising the agreement we have with the Navy Third Fleet and the First Marine Expeditionary Force to utilize military aircraft on the #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/9jZQuMRlCx
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) September 7, 2020

The City News Service and Patch staffer Kat Schuster contributed to this report.