What to Know: Posta 3 Fire
- Acres: The fire has burned 350 acres
- Evacuations: Evacuation orders and warnings are in place. A temporary evacuation point is at the Golden Acorn Casino. Large animals can be dropped off at the San Diego County Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita
- Road closures: Old Highway 80 from Kitchen Creek Road to Crestwood Road; State Route 94 from La Posta Road to Old Highway 80
A brush fire north of Campo in San Diego's East County is burning with a "rapid rate of spread" and threatening structures, officials said Monday afternoon.
The "Posta 3 Fire," located off La Posta Road near Old Highway 80, broke out around 2:30 p.m. Nearly an hour later, the blaze had burned more than 75 acres, according to Cal Fire San Diego.
By 6:40 p.m., officials say the fire had grown to approximately 350 acres, but that fire activity had lessened significantly.
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Between 200 and 250 people were under an evacuation order or warning. Evacuation orders are in effect for some areas east and southeast of the flames.
A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Golden Acorn Casino at 1800 Golden Acorn Way, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said. Large animals can be dropped off at the San Diego County Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.
The latest evacuation information can be found here. Click here for the American Sign Language notification of the evacuation orders and warnings.
Old Highway 80 is closed from Kitchen Creek Road to Crestwood Road, according to the sheriff's department. State Route 94 from La Posta Road to Old Highway 80 is also closed.
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Officials say nearby structures are at risk.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Cal Fire said.
SkyRanger 7 was overhead the fire, which was sending black smoke into the sky. Cal Fire sent multiple crews on the ground and by air. Hand crews were seen marching up the hill to work where it appears the fire may have begun to prevent it from spreading. Air tankers were dropping flame retardant over a small community of houses.
NBC 7 meteorologist Greg Bledsoe described weather conditions in the area as hot, dry and breezy. The nearest weather station shows that it was 88 degrees with 17% relative humidity and 25 mph wind gusts out of the west at around 4:30 p.m.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
