A fast-moving brush fire broke out near El Monte County Park in Lakeside Tuesday, leading to almost immediate evacuation orders when flames threatened structures.
The fire, reported on El Monte Road east of Yucca Drive in Lakeside, had burned 312 acres east of Wildcat Canyon Road and west of El Capitan Reservoir by 4:30 p.m. It was initially reported to have burned five acres after 2:30 p.m.
But crews have slowed its progress considerably since the late afternoon, with Cal Fire San Diego placing it at 340 acres and 10% containment by about 6:45 p.m.
The evacuation zone is north of El Monte extending beyond El Capitan and to parts of the Barona reservation and El Cajon Mountain.
#UPDATE @SDSheriff has issued EVACUATION WARNINGS (shaded areas in yellow shown in the maps below) for the #MonteFire in Lakeside. Be prepared to evacuate should fire conditions change.
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) June 18, 2025
If you feel you are in danger, GO!
EVACUATION ORDERS remain in place for the shaded areas… pic.twitter.com/Cu5O2yzQUS
Authorities cleared residents out of rural neighborhoods north of El Monte, east of Hazy Meadow Lane, south of Featherstone Canyon Road and northwest of El Capitan Reservoir.
Evacuation warnings also have been issued to north and east of the original zones that were cleared, reaching the Capitan Grande reservation.
A temporary shelter was open at an El Cajon Walmart Supercenter, 13487 Camino Canada.
Large animals also can be evacuated to the Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park, 11055 Moreno Ave., Lakeside.
Cal Fire San Diego reported that flames were moving with a moderate rate of spread. Officials described the blaze as having “a potential to be an extended attack incident” and said “the fire is currently being influenced by steep slopes.”
Crews from the Lakeside Fire Protection District also responded to the brush fire.
Watch Duty, a non-profit fire service, reported that additional air resources have been summoned to fight the blaze and that as firefighters focused resources on its left flank, the structure threat had eased.
Road closures include Lake Jennings Road and El Monte, Omas Road at El Monte and Omas at Willow Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Only local residents can pass at those intersections.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Updated 7:30 p.m. June 17, 2025
