EAST COUNTY
Firefighters continued to work Monday to contain a brush fire burning since Saturday in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a fire official said.
The blaze first began Saturday and charred nearly 5,200 acres, destroying three single-family homes and two “accessory” buildings, according to Cal Fire San Diego. Officials said it was 55 percent contained as of Monday evening.
#SouthernFire [Update] The Fire is 5,184 acres and is now 55% contained. 3 single-family residences and 2 accessory buildings were destroyed. Firefighters will continue to work throughout the evening, improving containment line. pic.twitter.com/rAY8uvoBob CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) May 4, 2021
For the record:
Gusty winds and continued dry weather have caused wildfires to flare up in portions of California, including one blaze in San Diego County that exploded in size Saturday afternoon. And the fire threat is not over yet, according to forecasters. A brush fire, dubbed the Southern Fire, flared up in the community of Shelter Valley, California, near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park late Saturday afternoon. The fire was spreading at a "critical rate".
SHELTER VALLEY
A brush fire moved quickly on the western edge of the Anza Borrego desert Saturday, prompting evacuations for at least 500 residents of the Butterfield Ranch Campground near Shelter Valley.
The blaze being called the Southern fire was burning along the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, or county Route S-2, and was reported to be about 1,200 acres and growing, with a “critical rate of spread,” Cal Fire reported just after 6 p.m. At least three structures have reportedly been destroyed.
The fire was 5 percent contained as of 8:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
The Red Cross set up an evacuation site at Agua Caliente County Park.
Southern Fire in Shelter Valley forces evacuations in east San Diego County
The Southern Fire has so far scorched 2,900 acres and is 0% contained.
and last updated 2021-05-03 20:33:36-04
SHELTER VALLEY (KGTV) A large fire that erupted in Shelter Valley on Saturday grew overnight as strong winds spread flames, according to Cal Fire.
The fire was first reported at around 4 p.m. on the 14000 block of Great Southern Overland Stage Route, south of Shelter Valley near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
The blaze, named the Southern Fire, grew to several thousand acres overnight into Sunday as winds reached 40 to 60 mph. As of Monday at 5:30 p.m., the fire had reached 5,184 acres and was 55% contained.
Cal Fire said the fire was burning eastward towards Imperial County.
Evacuations were in progress for the Butterfield Ranch campground. Cal Fire later said approximately 500 residents had been evacuated.
The San Diego County Sheriff s Department has issued Evacuation Orders and Warnings in the community of Shelter Valley. Those evacuated are being told to go to Agua Caliente Campgrounds on 39545 Great Southern Overland Stage Route.
Cal Fire said the fire destroyed three structures.
#SouthernFire [Update] Fire is approximately 1200 acres. Approximately 500 residents have been evacuated from the Butterfield Ranch Campground to Agua Caliente. Reported 3 structures destroyed. CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) May 2, 2021