Border 32 Fire Details as of 8 a.m. Monday
- Location: SR-94 and Barret Lake Road, east along the highway to Potrero
- Size: remains at 4,456 acres
- Containment: 100% contained
- Evacuation Orders: All evacuation orders were lifted at 1:45 p.m. Friday
Update: 4:58 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, 2022:
The fire is no 100% contained. Cal Fire San Diego tweeted early Monday evening:
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Original story:
A brush fire that sparked Wednesday afternoon in Dulzura in far East San Diego County exploded to more than 4,000 acres, injuring some people and destroying several homes and buildings in its path.
Local
The Border 32 fire started at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in a remote area near state Route 94 and Barret Lake Road. At Cal Fire’s last update Monday morning, the fire was 4,456 acres and 95% contained and Cal Fire crews were using infrared technology to identify any remaining hot spots.
More than 1,500 residents at one point had to evacuate due to the fire, Cal Fire said. On Friday afternoon, all evacuation orders and road closures relating to the fire were lifted. At 1:45 p.m., all residents were allowed to return to their homes.
At the same time, SR-94 was reopened in both directions. The Tecate Port of Entry was closed early on Wednesday and border officials said it will reopen on Saturday at 6 a.m. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to consult with local fire officials but anticipates the port of entry to resume normal hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Residents west of Cochera Drive and east of Potrero Valley Road were allowed back to their homes at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Several structures have been destroyed, including three houses, three outbuildings, two sheds, two RVs, three barns, and one commercial facility, according to Cal Fire.
At least two firefighters suffered heat exhaustion while battling the fire. An inmate firefighter had to be hoisted out of the area by helicopter on Thursday, Cal Fire said. Her injuries were considered minor. Two civilians also reported burn injuries at the start of the fire.
The agency said more than 200 firefighters are fighting the fire, including crews from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Cleveland National Forest firefighters.
San Diego Gas & Electric says flames damaged parts of the electrical system servicing Dulzura, Campo and Potrero, leaving more than 300 customers without power as of 5 a.m. Thursday. Restoration isn't expected until 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Mountain Empire Unified and Jamul-Dulzura Union School Districts was closed Thursday and Friday due to the fire, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.
Pets can be taken to San Diego County Animal Shelter located at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. For more information, call County Animal Services at (619) 236-2341.
The fire also prompted the temporary closure of the Tecate, Potrero and Dulzura Post offices. Mail service for those customers has been temporarily relocated to:
- Tecate & Potrero
Customers normally served by the Tecate and Potrero Post Offices should temporarily pick up their mail at the Pine Valley Post Office located at 28858 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley CA 91962. Hours for pick up are 8:30 a.m. to noon & 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Customers must present a photo ID for mail pick-up.
- Dulzura
Customers normally served by the Dulzura Post Office should temporarily pick up their mail at the Jamul Post Office located at 13961 Campo Road, Jamul CA 91935. Hours for pick up are 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. & 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Customers must present a photo ID for mail pick-up.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) issued a smoke advisory in response to the fire, saying air quality could reach unhealthy levels. Winds are blowing west and are expected to stay blowing in that direction, the APCD said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire or if there were any injuries.
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