Rains assisted crews fighting the Border 2 Fire on Sunday, with the promise of more wet weather prompting optimism from fire agencies that it could mitigate fire activity and help crews continue bolstering containment lines.
“Rainfall overnight and into the morning hours has led to a substantial decrease in fire activity,” Cal Fire said in an update on Sunday afternoon.
“Fire crews continue working in very steep terrain to cut containment line directly on the fire’s edge, and dozers and engine crews, where able to make access, are cutting line and putting out any hot spots.”
Some 2,413 personnel have been assigned to the fire, along with 145 engines and 17 helicopters.
Containment of the Border 2 Fire increased to 55% Monday, with flames not posing any immediate threats of spreading further, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze has blackened 6,625 acres over some 10 square miles of remote terrain a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Cal Fire reported Saturday.
As of Monday evening, the fire has threatened 27 structures but none have been destroyed, Cal Fire added. There have also been no injuries reported.
Visits to the George Bailey Detention Facility, Rock Mountain Detention Facility, and East Mesa Reentry Facility resumed at 8 a.m. Sunday, after being temporarily suspended by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Otay Lakes Road at Wueste Road remains closed through Monday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. The following road closures have been lifted:
- State Route 94 in both directions from Honey Springs Rd to State Route 188; and
- Alta Road near Otay Mesa Rd.
Temporary evacuation points were closed on Saturday.
Evacuation shelters and animal evacuation shelters for small animals were in place at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon, and at County Animal Services, 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita, for larger animals.
Assisting in the effort were: the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, Chula Vista Fire Department, Chula Vista Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, the San Diego Fire Department, Red Cross, San Diego Gas and Electric, Cal OES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geologic Survey, and Caltrans.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.
-This article was updated on Monday, Jan. 27 at 8:28 p.m. PST
