McCain Fire Burns Nearly 1,600 Acres, But 87% Contained Ahead of Extreme Heat
The McCain Fire in Boulevard, north of Jacumba Hot Springs, was 87% contained Thursday after burning 1,595 acres, officials said.
The fire's size was upgraded from 1,362 acres to 1,595 acres early Thursday due to better mapping, though fire activity remained low, according to Cal Fire San Diego.
"Firefighters have been diligently working to increase containment throughout the day," the agency said Thursday. "Tomorrow, they will face extreme heat, with temperatures expected to exceed 105 degrees. Crews remain actively engaged in mop-up and patrol operations, as well as mitigating any potential hazards."
All evacuation warnings and road closures in Boulevard were lifted as of Wednesday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department . Authorities advised the public to drive slowly and be mindful of firefighters, deputies, and road and utility crews working in the area.
The blaze erupted at about 3:30 p.m. Monday when a car overturned and caught fire on Interstate 8 near McCain Valley Road in the rural southeastern reaches of San Diego County.
The flames spread into rugged, rocky, brush-covered terrain on the north side of the freeway, moving toward nearby De Anza Springs Resort, said Mike Cornette, a Cal Fire captain.
As firefighters battled the blaze on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, authorities closed the westbound lanes of the freeway in the area and cleared a total of 144 people out of threatened homes, most of them on the grounds of the resort on Carrizo Gorge Road, Cornette said.
With the containment number rising Thursday, demobilization of excess fire resources took place, officials said, and will continue Friday.
The McCain Fire at times threatened historic and culturally significant Native American artifacts, including wall art, according to Cal Fire.
– City News Service
