UPDATE: 8:32 a.m., Aug. 23, 2017:
Firefighters reported 90 percent containment Wednesday of a wildfire that scorched about 200 acres of brush in the southeastern reaches of San Diego County and threatened about 20 back-country homes hours after Monday's solar eclipse.
#EclipseFire [update] Containment has been increased to 90% while acreage remains at 200. Next update will be at 6 pm. pic.twitter.com/OfBhnzRI2c
— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 23, 2017
The blaze, dubbed the Eclipse Fire in a nod to the astronomical phenomenon, erupted for unknown reasons about 2 p.m. Monday near the intersection of La Posta Road and state Route 94 in Campo, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said.
As the flames spread Monday afternoon amid gusty winds, low humidity levels and temperatures in the upper 80s, authorities cleared people out of about 20 homes and nearby Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, setting up a shelter at Mountain Empire High School in Pine Valley.
But fire crews halted the spread of the flames by 5:30 p.m. Monday, and the evacuations were lifted soon after, Sanchez said. By 8 p.m. that night, the blaze was holding at 200 acres and was 10 percent contained.
On Tuesday morning, officials reported the wildfire was still 200 acres and 40 percent contained, and on Tuesday night it was 80 percent contained.
About 175 state, federal and local government firefighters were assigned to the fire on Tuesday, Sanchez said. Its cause was under investigation.
UPDATE: 11:03 a.m., Aug. 22, 2017:
A wildfire that scorched about 200 acres of brush in the southeastern reaches of San Diego County and threatened about 20 back-country homes was 40 percent contained Tuesday morning, fire officials said.
#EclipseFire [update] IC reports the fire at 200 ac, 40% contained. Approx 175 firefighters assigned today.
— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 22, 2017
The blaze erupted for unknown reasons about 2 p.m. Monday near the intersection of La Posta Road and state Route 94 in Campo, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said.
As the flames spread Monday afternoon amid gusty winds, low humidity levels and temperatures in the upper 80s, authorities cleared people out of about 20 homes and nearby Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, setting up a shelter at Mountain Empire High School in Pine Valley.
But fire crews halted the spread of the flames by 5:30 p.m., and the evacuations were lifted soon after, Sanchez said. By 8 p.m., the blaze was holding at 200 acres and was 10 percent contained.
About 175 state, federal and local government firefighters were assigned to the blaze, Sanchez said. It was dubbed the Eclipse Fire in a nod to the astronomical event that transfixed the nation hours earlier.
Working overnight, firefighters were able to bring the blaze to 40 percent containment and keep it at 200 acres, Sanchez said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
UPDATE: 5:52 p.m., Aug. 21, 2017:
Progress of the Eclipse Fire has been stopped, threat to Campo Indian Reservation has been mitigated and evacuation orders have been lifted, according to CalFire.
#EclipseFire[Update]All evac orders/warnings have been lifted, soft road closure (residents only) on La Posta Rd from Hwy 94 to La Posta TT
— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 22, 2017
#EclipseFire [Update] Forward progress has been stopped. Fire remains 200 acres. Threat to Campo Indian Reservation has been mitigated.
— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 22, 2017
Original Story:
A brush fire has spread over several hundred brushy, open acres in the southeastern reaches of San Diego County Monday, threatening back-country homes and a naval training center as ground and airborne crews worked to subdue the flames.
The blaze erupted for unknown reasons about 2 p.m., off La Posta and Royal Willie roads in Campo, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said.
#EclipseFire [Update] 200 acres 20 homes threatened. Mandatory evacuations in place. La Posta Rd closed at Hwy 94 and Old Hwy 80.
— CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 21, 2017
Within about two hours, the flames had spread over roughly 200 acres, sheriff's officials reported.
Authorities cleared people out of structures potentially in the path of the flames, including homes and Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor.
A temporary shelter for evacuees has been established at Mountain Empire High School on Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley.
Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters battled the blaze, dubbed the "Eclipse Fire," in a nod to Monday's widely viewed passage of the moon in front of the sun.
