Smoke rises over remote terrain as seen from a surveillance camera.
Smoke rises from the Church 2 Fire, which broke out Monday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2026. (Image via Alert California)

A brush fire spread over open terrain in Campo Monday, threatening structures and prompting evacuations before crews gained ground on the flames.

The Church 2 Fire had grown to 132 acres by about 3:45 p.m. according to CalFire, up from 20 acres an hour earlier. Shortly before 5 p.m., though, authorities reported that the fire’s forward rate of spread had been halted, and crews had the fire 5% contained.

By 6 p.m. though, evacuation orders had been lifted in three zones east of where the fire started, and south of Live Oak Springs to state Route 94. Warnings also had been in effect for three other zones extending east to Manzanita and to the north past Interstate 8.

Flames erupted for unknown reasons shortly before 2:30 p.m. off Church Road in Campo, east of Lake Morena and about a mile south of I-8, fire officials said.

The blaze, according to CalFire started “with a moderate rate of spread” with the “potential for extended attack.”

The eastward flames posed hazards to some developed areas as firefighters battled the blaze, officials said.

Motorists were affected as well. According to the California Highway Patrol in El Cajon, a stretch of Old Highway 80 is closed, east of Church Road to west of Tierra Del Sol, but officials said streets were re-opened at the same time they reported that evacuation orders had been lifted.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District also issued a smoke advisory that
Live Oak Springs, Boulevard, Manzanita and McCain Valley.

Fire crews are facing difficult conditions, with temperatures in the 90s and low humidity. Highs are expected to rise throughout the week.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Updated 8:05 p.m. Aug. 17, 2026