Crews continued efforts Sunday morning to build containment lines around a brush fire near the Pala Casino that prompted evacuation orders in some neighborhoods on Saturday.
Those orders were later downgraded to evacuation warnings, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. The warning remained in place Saturday evening as Cal Fire officials estimated that 256 had burned.
The Henderson Fire started for unknown reasons shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday off Henderson Road, north of state Route 76 and east of Interstate 15, according to Cal Fire. The blaze was 65% contained as of Sunday morning.
“We’ve ordered additional aircraft this morning,” Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said Saturday, adding the pilots have been helped by improved visibility.
There were no reports of injuries, but one structure was been destroyed — a fifth wheel travel trailer.
The fire, spreading to the northwest, grew to 30 acres by 6:59 p.m. Friday as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to subdue the blaze, the state agency reported.
The fire grew to 200 acres by 9:57 p.m. Friday, but had slowed considerably by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.
“Firefighters were able to make progress (overnight) as fire behavior was minimal,” according to a Cal Fire statement Saturday morning. “A substantial number of extra firefighters and equipment have been requested for (Saturday), as there will be work to fully contain the fire.”
Late Saturday, officials credited aggressive aerial support from fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft for subduing the fire. Hand crews and bulldozers continue to construct control lines around the fire’s perimeter to aid in mop-up operations.
More than 250 firefighters worked the Henderson Fire, with three helicopters, 25 engines and seven water tenders contributing to the effort.
A temporary evacuation point had be set up at the Pala Casino parking lot.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Fire Authority on Saturday reported that “the smoke and haze some Orange County residents are smelling and seeing are from a vegetation fire in San Diego County. There is no threat to Orange County.”
Updated containment at 7:19 a.m, June 1, 2025.
