Valley Fire Evacuation Orders And Warnings Lifted, Roads Reopened

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Authorities have lifted all evacuation orders, evacuation warnings and road closures for the Valley Fire as crews continue to increase containment of the blaze in rural eastern San Diego County.

As of Friday morning, the Valley Fire was 39 percent contained and holding at 17,665 acres, according to Cal Fire. By noon, officials lifted evacuation orders and warnings and reopened roads.

"Use extreme caution around trees, power poles and other tall objects or structures that may
have been weakened by fire," officials said in a news release.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will have increased patrols in the area to ensure
public safety and prevent looting.

"Residents, please call the sheriff's department if you notice suspicious persons in the area," officials said. "Non-residents should avoid the area as there may be traffic flow interruptions due to firefighters, law enforcement and utility workers still operating in the area."

The blaze has blackened 17,665 acres, destroyed 30 residences and 31 auxiliary structures, damaged 11 other buildings, and left two firefighters with minor injuries.

A total of 873 firefighters were assigned to the blaze Thursday morning, including 187 overhead personnel. Resources included 96 engines, 15 water tenders, eight helicopters and six bulldozers.

"Ground crews continue to construct and strengthen hand and dozer lines and are focused on mopping up hot spots and providing defense to structures that remain threatened," officials said.

The Valley Fire sparked amid a sweltering heat wave Saturday afternoon off Japatul and Carveacre roads in Japatul Valley, southeast of Alpine.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The county is opening a local assistance center Saturday to help victims of the fire at the Rancho San Diego Diego Library branch at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego in El Cajon. The services will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays until further notice.

Residents who have lost their homes or other property can call the County Assistance Hotline at 858-715-2200 or email ValleyFireRecovery@sdcounty.ca.gov.

People who would like to help victims of the fire can make donations to a disaster-relief fund implemented by the San Diego Foundation.

Air Conditions

The San Diego County Pollution Control District said air quality levels could reach unhealthy in parts of the region due to the fire.

"In the proximity of the fire and downwind of the fire, air quality can still reach unhealthful levels," the agency said Friday. "In areas of heavy smoke, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals. In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups."

The agency advised people to limit outdoor activities until the smoky conditions dissipate.

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