The “Posta 3 Fire,” located off La Posta Road near Old Highway 80, broke out around 2:30 p.m.
What to Know: Posta 3 Fire
- Acres: The fire has burned 350 acres; 10% containment
- Evacuations: Evacuation orders and warnings are in place. A shelter is at the Golden Acorn Casino
- Road closures: Crestwood Road at Old Highway 80; Church Road at SR-94; Old Highway 80 at Church Road; Old Highway 80 at La Posta Road; La Posta Road 1/2 mile south of Old Highway 80
A fast-moving brush fire burning north of Campo in San Diego's East County was threatening structures and prompting evacuations and road closures on Monday, officials said.
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.
The fire kept growing until it reached approximately 350 acres at 6:40 p.m. That's when fire officials said the fire activity had lessened significantly. By 9:30 p.m., the fire was 10% contained, Cal Fire said.
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Firefighters were expected to work overnight to strengthen control lines.
Evacuation orders and warnings were in place, impacting between 200 and 250 people, according to the county's estimates. The latest evacuation information can be found here.
A shelter was established at the Golden Acorn Casino, where members of the American Red Cross was providing assistance. Large animals could be dropped off at the San Diego County Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.
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The sheriff's department said the following roads were closed: Crestwood Road at Old Highway 80; Church Road at SR-94; Old Highway 80 at Church Road; Old Highway 80 at La Posta Road; and La Posta Road 1/2 mile south of Old Highway 80.
Officials said nearby structures were at risk.
Two people were hurt, but Cal Fire did not provide details about their injuries or conditions.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
SkyRanger 7 was over the fire in its early hours, showing large flames that were sending black smoke into the sky.
CalFire sent multiple crews on the ground and by air. Two air tankers dropped thousands of gallons of fire retardant, while other fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters made several water drops. Hand crews were seen marching up the hill to dig trenches near where the fire appeared to begin to prevent it from spreading.
NBC 7 meteorologist Greg Bledsoe described Monday's weather conditions in the area as hot, dry and breezy. At around 4:30 p.m., the nearest weather stations showed that it was 88 degrees with 17% relative humidity and 25 mph wind gusts.
Those gusts drove the fire east northeast, and in its path were at least a dozen homes.
Residents off Kitchen Creek Road had little time to act. After hearing the sirens, Adam Caton checked the security camera views along his property.
"I quickly ran out. It was moving fast," Caton told NBC 7. "It was insanity."
Rebecca Gonzales says she's lived in the area for 10 years, but this was her first experience with wildfire.
"It was big, and it was scary," Gonzales said. "It was getting close to my house. That's all I know, and I had to get out of there."
Jeff Haas was packing up to evacuate when he spoke with NBC 7. He made sure his truck, camper, wife and dog were ready to go and headed out before the fire cleared the ridge just west of the family's home.
"We're prepared, so we are ready to go at any time," Haas said. "It's an inconvenience, but it's better than losing your life."
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
