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
MAP: Southern Fire erupts in Shelter Valley
OnScene TV
and last updated 2021-05-02 11:06:41-04
SHELTER VALLEY, Calif. (KGTV) Fueled by strong winds, the Southern Fire in Shelter Valley continues to grow.
According to Cal Fire, the fire has so far scorched 2,900 acres and is 0% contained. Approximately 500 residents have been evacuated from the Butterfield Ranch Campground.
The fire started on the 14000 block of Great Southern Overland Stage Route around 5 p.m. Saturday.
Scroll through the map below to see where the fire and evacuation center is located:
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