SUNSHINE SUMMIT (CNS) - Fire crews worked Thursday to subdue the smoldering remnants of a wildfire that blackened an estimated 900 acres this week in the rural northeastern reaches of San Diego County, prompting residential evacuations but causing no known structural damage.
The blaze broke out about 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Sunshine Summit area, north of Oak Grove and east of Palomar Mountain, according to Cal Fire.
#GroveFire [Update] The fire remains 816 acres and the containment has increased to 10%. Once aircraft are over the fire, we will have a more accurate acreage update for the growth overnight. pic.twitter.com/ufMSsUwf3f
— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) July 25, 2024
As ground crews, personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to halt the spread of the southeast-moving blaze, sheriff's deputies cleared residents out of homes closest to its leading edges. They also advised people in areas at safer distances to prepare to evacuate on short notice if conditions worsened. A temporary shelter for the displaced was in operation at Warner Springs Community Resource Center in the 30900 block of state Route 79.
Follow this link to see which areas are under evacuation warnings and orders.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries Wednesday while working to corral the blaze, Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said.
As of midday Thursday, few areas of active fire remained in the burn area, which by then was about 10% contained, the spokesman said. Despite crews' steady progress in quelling the blaze, however, Chihuahua Valley Road remained closed until further notice.
The cause of the fire was unknown, though there had been reports of heavy lightning in the area shortly before it erupted, officials said.
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