A slow-moving brush fire east of Julian grew to around 50 acres, according to Cal Fire San Diego, before crews stopped it from spreading further.
The blaze, dubbed the Felipe Fire, burned at a slow rate, officials said, but crews faced steep and rocky terrain while fighting it.
Nonetheless, Cal Fire said on social media, they “are making good progress,” and by the early evening the forward rate of spread had been stopped, with the fire estimated to be 10% contained. Firefighters continued to build and bolster containment lines, however.
There were no reports of structural threats, but Caltrans said that all lanes of state Route 78 east of San Felipe Road were closed as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters fought the blaze, which moved over rugged open land, said Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson.
Initially, the agency said that the fire had “the potential to be an extended attack incident.”
One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was transported to a hospital for a precautionary evaluation, according to Cal Fire.
The fire burned on the western edges of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in the remote community of Shelter Valley.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Updated 9:20 p.m. May 1, 2025
