SAN DIEGO — Update:
As of 9:32 am on Friday, August 18, CAL Fire reports that the Coyote Fire has now spread to 466 acres and is 10% contained.
Evacuation orders as well as warnings are still in place for the area around Potrero. Road closures include the following:
- Potrero Valley Road at the east end of Potrero Circle
- Potrero Valley Road at Round Potrero Road.
Sheriff's Deputies are at the checkpoints and are not allowing anyone through.
Evacuees are able to go to a Red Cross shelter at Mountain Empire High School, 3305 Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley.
Those with pets or large animals can take animals to the Department of Animal Services Bonita Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.
Original Story from 8/17/2023 at 12:35 pm:
A brush fire in Potrero driven by intense heat prompted authorities to issue evacuations Thursday afternoon.
Cal Fire San Diego was dispatched to the 23600 block of Coyote Holler Road in Potrero around 12:11 p.m. following reports of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and found flames from the structure fire spread to nearby vegetation, prompting a full wildland response to fight flames from Cal Fire San Diego.
The fire was dubbed the 'Coyote Fire' due to its proximity to Coyote Holler Road.
As flames quickly spread through a dry-brush-filled area, flames charred at least 45 acres at a dangerous rate of spread, firefighters reported.
By 5:23 p.m., firefighters estimated the fire had grown to 400 acres, immediately threatening several structures.
The 'Coyote Fire' is 5% contained.
A small plane that crashed on the runway of Ramona Airport, where Cal Fire San Diego Air Operations are based, caused a delay in aerial firefighting operations.
The air attack base reopened for Cal Fire San Diego aircraft around 3:20 p.m., allowing aircraft that drop fire retardant and water to refuel from the Ramona Airport.
No details regarding the plane crash incident were immediately made available.
Officials predicted the fire could grow to anywhere between 100-200 acres.
School closures
Evacuation orders & warnings
This section will be constantly updated to reflect evacuation requests.
According to San Diego's Office of Emergency Services, an evacuation order was issued for homes and other structures along:
- Twin Lakes Resorts
- Horizon View Drive
- Ranch Road
- Potrero Circle
- Coyote Holler Road
- Yerba Santa Road
- Hartley Hill Road
- Round Potrero Road
- Potrero Valley Road
A map of the evacuation zones can be viewed here.
The evacuation order included dozens of homes.
A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Mountain Empire High School parking lot at 3305 Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley.
Animals and livestock were directed to the San Diego County Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.
Coyote Fire | Road closures
Authorities closed Round Potrero Road between Yerba Santa Road to Potrero Valley Road due to the active firefight.
More than 180 personnel were dedicated to fighting flames, along with 26 fire engines, two dozers, and four water tenders.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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