Crews continue to work a wildfire in a rural area east of El Cajon that blackened 93 acres Wednesday afternoon.
The Dehesa 7 Fire began for unknown reasons shortly before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday just off Dehesa Road, west of Tavern Road and about a mile north of Sycuan Casino, Cal Fire said.
An evacuation order was in place initially, given the fire’s heat and quick rate of spread. However, the agency said that by 4:45 p.m., crews had “managed the fire aggressively and slowed the rate of spread from dangerous to slow, making excellent progress.”
As of shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters had halted the spread of the blaze.
“The fire remains 93 acres, and containment has increased to 50%,” Cal Fire said in an update on Thursday morning. “Firefighters worked through the night building line construction around the fire strengthening containment lines.”
Crews are preparing for another very warm day on the fire lines, with highs hovering near the mid-90s. However, more moisture is expected in the air on Thursday, with a slight chance of showers, which may aid efforts to contain the fire.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation, according to Cal Fire. No structural damage or injuries were reported.
