Forward progress of a fast-moving wildfire in rural southeastern San Diego County has been stopped and is 65% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire blackened 1,234 acres, prompting evacuation orders and traffic delays as ground and airborne crews work to subdue the flames.
As of 12:15 p.m. Friday, no injuries have been reported and one structure has been damaged.
Thorn Fire
The fire, officially named the Thorn Fire, erupted for reasons that remain under investigation near Buckthorn Trail and Clover Trail in the Live Oak Springs neighborhood of Boulevard on Wednesday, according to Cal Fire.
“We got multiple reports of a fire just past 3:30 (p.m.) to our command center. Some of the people were reporting a trailer, or home or vehicle on fire. That fire did extend into the vegetation,” said Cal Fire San Diego Captain Oscar Sotelo.
Fueled by hot, dry conditions and extreme regional heat, the flames spread rapidly south of Interstate 8 and north of Campo Road.
Evacuations
Due to improving conditions, evacuation warnings were lifted Thursday, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department, while some evacuation orders remain in place.
Sotelo said firefighters will continue to mop up and strengthen containment lines over the next couple days.
“We have over 600 firefighters here on scene from throughout the region, spread out, to tactfully put those hotspots out that might encroach those containment lines,” he said Thursday.
The temporary evacuation point at the Golden Acorn Casino is closed.
Cheryl Delozier was one of the roughly nine evacuees that sought safety at the casino and its parking lot, according to the American Red Cross.
The 65-year-old said she evacuated her home on Ribbonwood Road around 9:45 a.m. Thursday. She was worried about her home and anxious to get back to her dog, who was still at the house.
“I had an appointment this morning, I saw there were fire vehicles and stuff all around. But I went to my appointment and they waved me through to go,” she said. “After my appointment, I came back and the road is closed, and they won't let me in.”
The road is now only open for residents, according to Cal Fire.
Freeway Closures
The intense blaze jumped Interstate 8 on Wednesday afternoon, initially forcing a full closure of the freeway. The California Highway Patrol reports as of 1:27 p.m. Thursday, I-8 now has one lane in each direction back open. Commuters are advised to check current traffic conditions, as closures and lane reductions are subject to change based on fire activity.
Air quality
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District has also issued a smoke advisory for areas around Boulevard, Live Oak Springs, McCain Valley and Tierra Del Sol. Residents in those areas are advised to limit outdoor activity due to unhealthy air quality.
