EVACUATION WARNINGS ISSUED FOR LAKE MORENA, CAMPO: 800 STRUCTURES STILL THREATENED

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Border Fire, Day 1, by Leon Thompson

June 21,2016 (Lake Morena/Campo) 1:30 p.m. – An evacuation warning has been issued for Lake Morena and Campo, Cal Fire has announced.  Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Potrero,Forrest Gate, Star Ranch, Cowboy Ranch,Dog Patch and Canyon City.

800 structures remain threatened and 4 outbuildings have been destroyed. Highway 94 is closed west of Buckman Springs to state route 188. The Pacific Coast Trail is also closed to hikers. 

“The fire continues to move to the north and northeast,threatening portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic trail as well as surrounding communities,” a Border 3 Fire Update issued by Cal Fire states.

The update also indicates: “Excessive heat which is uncharacteristic for this time of year, steep terrain, extremely dry vegetation due to many years of drought, difficult access and winds have produced extremely erratic fire behavior making it very difficult for firefighters to mitigate this incident…Firefighters will continue to construct containment lines day and night to slow the growth of the fire eventually stopping the spread of the fire. “

The fire remains at 7,500 acres and 5% containment.   A total of 1,484 personnel are battling the blaze that began Sunday. There are 158 engines, 12 water tenders, 6 helicopters, 4 air tankers, 32 hand crews, and 7 bulldozers.

An evacuation center is located at Los Coches Creek Middle School, 9669 Dunbar Lane in EL Cajon.

Cooperative agencies now include San Diego County Fire,SDG&E, Border Patrol, Cal Trans,CHP, San Diego Sheriff, Bureau of Land Management,Calif. Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Red Cross.

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