Pointe Fire in Spring Valley Under Control; Evacuations Canceled

A fast-moving hillside brush fire threatened homes and prompted evacuations in a neighborhood north of Sweetwater Reservoir late Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze dubbed the Pointe Fire erupted for unknown reasons shortly after 4 p.m. off the 2900 block of Pointe Parkway in Spring Valley, according to Cal Fire. Authorities cleared people out of homes along that road, as well as on California Waters Drive, Ledgeside Street and Pleasant Waters Court.

A makeshift evacuation shelter was set up at Monte Vista High School. But evacuations orders were lifted about 6:40 p.m., according to Cal Fire San Diego’s Twitter feed.

Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters were able to halt the spread of the roughly 15-acre blaze within about 90 minutes and prevent it from damaging any structures, said Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser.

Medics took one firefighter to a hospital for treatment of a snakebite, officials said. No other injuries were reported.

As of early Thursday, the fire had burned about 26 acres and was 80 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Home atop hill near end of South Barcelona Street in Spring Valley was briefly threatened in Pointe Fire. Photo by Chris Stone

CalFire engines gathered near end of South Barcelona Street in Spring Valley. Photo by Chris Stone

Sheriff’s helicopter makes water drop near end of South Barcelona Street in Spring Valley. CalFire engines gathered near end of South Barcelona Street in Spring Valley. Photo by Chris Stone

— City News Service