JACUMBA, Calif—Flames engulfed a vehicle on Interstate 8 in the rural southeastern reaches of the San Diego area on July 1 and spread into adjacent brushy terrain, where it blackened hundreds of acres, prompting evacuations and a smoke advisory.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported the fire has burned 1,000 acres and was 5 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.
The blaze erupted around 3:30 p.m. Monday on the westbound side of the freeway, near McCain Valley Road in Jacumba Hot Springs, according to Cal Fire. The fire was thus dubbed the McCain Fire.
Over the next several hours, the blaze charred an estimate 714 open acres as firefighters battled the flames on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, the state agency reported.
The fire forced the closure of all westbound lanes on Interstate 8 west of Carrizo Gorge and led to the evacuation of about 150 homes in the De Anza Springs RV Resort, authorities said. The freeway lanes reopened at 10:20 p.m. Monday.
The Golden Acorn Casino at 1800 Golden Acorn Way on Campo is a designated shelter, according to the County of San Diego. Members from the American Red Cross are providing food and supplies, the county said.
A smoke advisory was issued over the southeast part of San Diego County, including areas east of Boulevard and north of Titus, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
There were no reports of structural damage or injuries resulting from the fire, according to Cal Fire.
