SAN DIEGO — Fire crews worked Thursday to subdue the smoldering remnants of a lightning-sparked wildfire that blackened the rural northeastern reaches of San Diego County, prompting residential evacuations but causing no known structural damage.
As of 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, the fire had burned 863 acres and was 85% contained according to a Facebook post from Cal Fire.
For more updates on the Grove Fire containment and evacuation warnings, visit the Cal Fire incident page:
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has changed most Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Warnings. Evacuated residents in these areas can return home but are strongly encouraged to remain ready to leave if fire conditions change.
Both the Red Cross Shelter at Warner Springs High School and the Large Animal Shelter at Ramona High School have closed.
The blaze broke out about 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Sunshine Summit area, north of Oak Grove and east of Palomar Mountain, according to Cal Fire.
As ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to halt the spread of the southeast-moving blaze, sheriff's deputies cleared residents out of homes closest to its leading edges.
They also advised people in areas at safer distances to prepare to evacuate on short notice if conditions worsened. A temporary shelter for the displaced was in operation at Warner Springs Community Resource Center in the 30900 block of state Route 79.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries Wednesday while working to corral the blaze, Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said.
As of midday Thursday, few areas of active fire remained in the burn area, which by then was about 10% contained, the spokesman said.
A road closure at SR-79 and Chihuahua Road remains in place, though residents will be permitted through.
A heavy lightning storm moved through the area just before the blaze erupted, and investigators concluded that the atmospheric electrical activity ignited it, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuations
Evacuation Orders
- SDC-0077
- SDC-0048
- SDC-0076
Evacuation Warnings
- SDC-0078
- SDC-0048
- SDC-0076
- SDC-0079
- SDC-0080
- SDC-0126
- SDC-0127
- SDC-0172
- SDC-0174
- SDC-0175
- SDC-0173
If you're in the impacted area you are asked to evacuate to Warner Springs Community Resource Center located at 30950 Highway 79 in Warner Springs.
For the most recent evacuation updates visit CalFire.
WATCH RELATED: How to know when it's time to go during a wildfire:
Prepare for a Wildfire evacuation
CalFire has built a list of things to have ready in case you and your family are evacuated during any wildfire or disaster.
Ensure your wildfire ‘Go Bag’ includes:
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food & 3 gallons of water per person
- A map with at least 2 evacuation routes
- Necessary prescriptions or medications
- A change of clothes & extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
- Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks
- A first aid kit & sanitation supplies
- A flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
- Pet food & water
Always have sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed, ready for sudden night evacuations.
If time allows, consider adding:
- Valuables that are easy to carry
- Family photos and irreplaceable items
- Personal computer data on hard drives and disks
- Chargers for cell phones and laptops