At one point, more than 500 residents were under evacuation orders and evacuation warnings, many from the Butterfield Ranch campground.
By Sunday morning, the fire was estimated to be nearly 3,000 acres. And, by Sunday evening, the fire had grown to its current size of 5,184 acres. NBC 7 s Omari Fleming has more details on the fire burning in Shelter Valley.
Those evacuated were sent to Agua Caliente Campgrounds on 39545 Great Southern Overland Stage Route, where the Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties had set up a temporary evacuation site.
The Red Cross said Sunday that at least 120 Southern Fire evacuees were utilizing its emergency shelter services.
SHELTER VALLEY (KUSI) – Containment increased to 55% today on the 5,184-acre Southern Fire in Shelter Valley east of Julian and evacuation orders were lifted.
Containment was reported at 25% Monday morning, the same figure as Sunday, Cal Fire Capt. Frank LoCoco said.
The brush fire was reported about 5:15 p.m. Saturday off the 14900 block of Great Southern Overland Stage Route. Within 90 minutes, it had spread to about 1,200 acres, leveled three structures and forced the evacuation of roughly 500 residents from Butterfield Ranch Campground to Agua Caliente Campground.
Overnight, the American Red Cross helped 32 evacuees with meals and emergency lodging in hotel rooms. By Sunday afternoon, that number had increased to 70.
Containment: 25%
Start Location: 14000 Blk Great Southern Overland, Aqua Caliente in San Diego County
Fire cause: Under investigation
Agencies responding: Cal Fire
Evacuations: Approximately 500 residents were evacuated from the Butterfield Ranch Campground Saturday night to the evacuation area at the Agua Caliente Campgrounds, 39545 Great Southern Overland Stage Route
Monday 7:30 a.m. update
Cal Fire updated the acreage count down from the 6,500 acres reported on Sunday evening to 5,184 acres burned after they were able to complete more specific mapping of the burn area on Monday morning.
The total containment remains at 25%.
#SouthernFire off Great Southern Overland, Aqua Caliente in San Diego County is 5,184 acres and 25% contained. Change in acreage due to better mapping. @CALFIRESANDIEGOhttps://t.co/eN0mmuGTFjpic.twitter.com/xXuBUXjZuJ CAL FIRE (@CAL FIRE) May 3, 2021
Gusty winds and continued dry weather have caused wildfires to flare up in portions of California, including one blaze in San Diego County that exploded in size Saturday afternoon. And the fire threat is not over yet, according to forecasters. A brush fire, dubbed the Southern Fire, flared up in the community of Shelter Valley, California, near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park late Saturday afternoon. The fire was spreading at a "critical rate".
Thursday 8 a.m. update
The Southern Fire off Great Southern Overland, Agua Caliente in San Diego County remains 5,366 acres and 100% contained.
Wednesday 7:00 a.m. update
According to Cal Fire, the Southern Fire off Great Southern Overland, Aqua Caliente in San Diego County remains 5,366 acres and 90% contained.
#SouthernFire off Great Southern Overland, Aqua Caliente in San Diego County remains 5,366 acres and 90% contained. @CALFIRESANDIEGOhttps://t.co/eN0mmuGTFjpic.twitter.com/50u5E7S6h6 CAL FIRE (@CAL FIRE) May 5, 2021
Tuesday 6:26 p.m. update
Cal Fire s update on the Southern Fire put the acreage at just over 5,300 and the fire is now 80% contained. Photos from cleanup Tuesday (seen below) show rubble and burned plants in the area.