San Diego County wildfire spreads through brush, tall grasses at a ‘dangerous rate’

A wildfire burning in San Diego County south of Jamul had scorched more than 1,000 acres by Saturday night and was threatening the community of Dulzura, where residents were alerted to the possible need to evacuate.

Authorities sealed off several backcountry roads and evacuated a campground as wind-swept flames roared through brush-filled hills and tall grasses at a “dangerous rate,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Residents with animals in the path of the fire should leave early and take pets with them, said Dan DeSousa, director of the county Department of Animal Services.

The blaze, called the Gate fire, broke out about 11:20 a.m. on a dirt road off State Route 94 that leads to a Bureau of Land Management recreational area commonly used for target shooting, Cal Fire Capt. Isaac Sanchez said.

He said the dirt road was behind a local landmark pink gate, the basis for the fire’s name. The blaze was 20% contained as of 9 p.m. as crews battled hot, dry conditions.

Highway 94 was shut down between Honey Springs Road and Highway 188, and Otay Lakes Road was closed between Wueste Road and Highway 94. Residents were not being allowed through, and motorists were advised to avoid the area.

When winds pushed the blaze west toward Pio Pico RV Resort and Campground, the facility was evacuated as a precaution. A late-afternoon shift then sent flames southeast toward Dulzura, Sanchez said, where mostly grass and sparse brush was burning.

A Chula Vista officer who was directing traffic near Otay Lakes and Wueste was struck by a vehicle about 2:30 p.m., suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said.

Five air tankers and three helicopters were making water drops at one point, Sanchez said. Fire crews from several agencies were helping on the ground.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen from many parts of the county.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Davis and Repard write for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Staff writer Gary Robbins contributed to this report.

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UPDATES:

9:45 p.m.: This article was updated the new information on the fire and comments from animal the animal services department.

8 p.m.: This article was updated with new information on the fire.

4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details on the fire.

This article was originally published at 1:45 p.m.