Border 2 Fire Still Just 10% Contained with Ten Square Miles Burned

Firefighters worked overnight to corral the Border 2 Fire, which spread over some 10 square miles of remote terrain a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border and was still only 10% contained Saturday.

The blaze — which erupted just west of Doghouse Junction in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area on Thursday afternoon — has blackened an estimated 6,500 acres, according to Cal Fire.

As of Saturday morning, at least 2,169 structures were threatened, officials said.

“Fire activity continued overnight, burning in steep terrain with very low humidity and shifting winds. The fire continues to threaten homes, communities, and infrastructure, but air and ground resources are working day and night to ensure the safety of residents and property.” Cal Fire officials said in a statement Saturday. “Rain is expected over the fire area late tonight through Monday, lessening fire activity and helping firefighters increase containment.”

The fire prompted road closures of Otay Lakes Road and Wueste to state Route 94 and state Route 94 from Honey Springs to state Route 188.

A temporary evacuation point was set up at 900 Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista.

Evacuation shelters and animal evacuation shelters for small animals were in place at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway El Cajon at Cuyamaca College and 5821 Sweet Water Road in Bonita for large animals.

Also, due to safety and air quality concerns posed by the fire, the San Diego County Office of Education on Friday closed the following elementary schools: Camarena, Eastlake, Liberty, Marshall, Olympic View, Salt Creek and Wolf Canyon.

Other campuses shut down for the day were Eastlake High School, Eastlake Middle School, Olympian High School, East Hills Academy, High Tech High Chula Vista and Arroyo Vista Charter School.

All other Chula Vista Elementary School District schools were open but on a “rainy-day schedule” due to potential hazards from the large pall of smoke in the air over the southern reaches of the county, the county office announced.

Some 1,177 personnel have been assigned to the fire, including 90 engines, 35 crews and 12 helicopters.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management, San Diego County OES, Chula Vista Fire Department, Chula Vista Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, San Diego Fire Department, Red Cross, San Diego Gas and Electric, Cal OES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geologic Survey and Caltrans were assisting in the effort.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

–City News Service