SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Cal Fire San Diego responded to a vegetation fire that triggered an evacuation warning deep in the East County area Tuesday as the county was under a red flag warning due to Santa Ana winds.
According to a public information officer for Cal Fire, the fire ignited at 10:24 a.m. near 18985 Highway 94 in the Marron Valley area. By 11 a.m., the fire was 30 acres large with a critical rate of spread and "the potential for a major fire," so Cal Fire dispatched crews to begin an extended attack.
By 6:15 p.m., the fire was mapped at just over 38 acres and was 70% contained, Cal Fire said. The forward rate of spread has been stopped.
According to Cal Fire two firefighters were injured fighting the blaze. One of the firefighters sustained serious injuries, and the other is in moderate condition, the agency said.
Schools in the below districts will also be closed Wednesday due to power shutoff:
- Alpine Union School District
- Dehesa School District
- Jamul-Dulzura Union School District
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire School District
- Spencer Valley School District
- Warner Unified School District
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order and warning just northwest of the fire, but the order was lifted by 1 p.m. The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services' map indicated the wildfire was near Barrett Truck Trail/State Route 94 Tecate.
A temporary evacuation point was set up at Edward Cinemas, located at 2951 Jamacha Road in El Cajon. The sheriff's office said the evacuation warning was still in effect as of 2 p.m.
This was the area under the evacuation warning, per OES:
"There is a substantial resource request. #Border79Fire" Cal Fire wrote on X.
According to ABC 10News meteorologist Vanessa Paz, the red flag/fire weather warning for the inland valleys and mountains will remain in effect until at least 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Expect sustained winds from the east and northeast between 20 to 35 mph, gusts of 45 to 60 mph, and isolated gusts may reach over 70mph in wind-prone areas like Sill Hill, Hellhole Canyon, and Big Black Mountain.
.@CALFIRESANDIEGO firefighters are responding to a vegetation fire in the area of Marron Valley. The fire is 25 acres. There is a substantial resource request. #Border79Fire pic.twitter.com/k693YgBKh0
— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) December 10, 2024
This is a developing story. Stay with ABC 10News as our team of journalists works to gather the latest information.
