Eagle Fire Fully Contained

Flash flood risk still looms over Eagle Fire area

Officials have fully contained the Eagle Fire after it burned 14,100 acres over eight days and caused an estimated $15.4 million in costs. The reported cause of the fire was said to be arson.

On Friday, officials working on the Eagle Fire warned of possible flash floods in communities near or affected by the blaze due to the amount of rain predicted over the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40 percent chance of showers in the areas burned by the blaze.

Between Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, the predicted rainfall rates are capable of producing debris flows and flash floods in recently burned drainage basins, according to a media release.

Those debris flows and flash floods could affect resort communities of Borrego Springs, Coyote Creek and communities in San Ysidro, according to officials.

Should the rainfall reach a level able to overflow the basins, alerts will be issued.

The Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and Trail and the Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp have been re-opened.

Remaining fire crews will continue suppression repair, mop-up and patrol of the fire perimeter, according to officials.

The fire, which was originally reported on the morning of July 21, had been spreading to the east before slowing considerably.

One structure was destroyed and 12 people sustained injuries. No evacuations or road closures were ordered in the remote area.

As of Wednesday, more than 75 fire engines are on the scene along with 20 helicopters, 83 fire crews seven air tankers and 18 bulldozers. Roughly 2,100 personnel and 13 agencies had been working to put out the flames.

The fire was burning a mix of grass, brush, oak and pine trees in steep, rugged terrain on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation and the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

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