What to Know: Grove Fire
- The fire has burned 863 acres; 100% contained
- The evacuation order was lifted on July 28
- The cause has been determined to be lightning, Cal Fire San Diego said
A wildfire spread over hilly open terrain in the rural northeastern reaches of San Diego County Wednesday, blackening hundreds of acres and prompting fire officials to issue evacuation orders for two areas and an evacuation warning for two others.
The "Grove Fire" broke out about 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the Sunshine Summit area, north of Oak Grove and east of Palomar Mountain, according to Cal Fire.
Within four hours, the flames had charred roughly 400 acres as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to halt the spread of the blaze, which was growing in a southeasterly direction, said Mike Cornette, a fire captain with the state agency. Cornette told NBC 7 that the blaze has the potential to burn more than 1,000 acres.
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The closest structures to the fire were homes in Chihuahua Valley, about four miles from the burn zone, the spokesman said. By 6:45 on Wednesday, the flames had moved close enough to prompt the evacuation orders and warnings.
Officials said people, along with their small animals, in the affected areas could head to a Temporary Evacuation Point at Warner Springs Community Resource Center at 30950 Highway 79.
Crews increased containment to 100% on Sunday. Cal Fire's final update on Sunday evening said the fire remains at 863 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted due to improved containment.
Local
Cal Fire San Diego later confirmed the cause of the fire was lightning. The National Weather Service said on X that a total of 1,200 lightning flashes were observed Wednesday.
Authorities reduced most evacuation orders to evacuation warnings by 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the County of San Diego said. The evacuation warning was lifted on Friday, authorities said. A map showing updated evacuation orders and warnings can be viewed here.
The Red Cross Shelter at Warner Springs High School and the large animal shelter at Ramona High School closed Thursday night due to most evacuation orders being lifted, officials said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while working to corral the blaze, Cornette said.
