...
By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The recently ignited Border fire has already surpassed 5,300 acres in size and is inching toward two U.S. Border Patrol offices near the active edge of the blaze in San Diego County.
Why It Matters
Multiple wildfires continue to burn in Southern California amid unnaturally dry conditions, with strong winds also spurring the flames. One of the recent blazes that ignited in San Diego County is the Border fire, and evacuation orders and warnings have been issued across the area.
Read More on U.S.
What To Know
The Border fire ignited on Thursday afternoon and quickly grew to encompass thousands of acres.
As of Friday at 1:40 p.m. Eastern time (ET), the fire was 10 percent contained and is burning in a wilderness area. No structures are threatened, but Fire Captain Robert Johnson with Cal Fire San Diego told Newsweek the fire was spreading at a moderate rate.
...
The fire's most active flank is on its northern boundary near the Otay Lakes Road area. Johnson said many fire crews are in that area.
The fire is moving toward the north and northeast. Currently, the evacuation orders stop at State Road 94, meaning the U.S. Border Patrol Station in Jamul, California, and the Brown Field Border Patrol Station in Dulzura, California, are just outside the orders' bounds. However, the evacuation warnings extend to include both offices.
The evacuation orders, which are a lawful mandate to leave because of the immediate threat to life, are in place from roughly Otay Lakes Road to the north and Marron Valley Road to the east.
Evacuation warnings, in which there is a potential threat to life or property, spread farther to the north, west and east of the fire.
The fire is burning in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area.
What People Are Saying
Captain Robert Johnson told Newsweek: "It's a pretty rural, remote area. There's evacuation orders and warnings in place, but no structures are threatened."
In a situation summary about the blaze, the state's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said: "Fire crews experienced extreme fire behavior last night with long range spotting. The fire has impacted Otay Lakes Road, prompting EVACUATION ORDERS and WARNINGS to the North and West of the Otay Mountain Wilderness. Night flying CAL FIRE Fire-Hawk helicopters provided aerial support over the fire, while fixed wing aircraft have been ordered to be over the fire in the morning hours. A substantial augmentation of resources has been ordered and will report for assignment this morning."
What Happens Next
Johnson said crews are making good progress on the fire. Strong winds were expected to die down on Friday. Southern California could get several inches of rain this weekend, which would be a welcome respite from the dry weather that has fueled the fires.
Update 1/24/25, 4:32 p.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines