A wildfire near the U.S.-Mexico border is currently being fought by crews on Tuesday. The blaze poses a risk to a major highway in the area.
In southeastern San Diego County, firefighters are currently battling a vegetation fire that started on Tuesday morning, known as the Border 63 fire. The fire is located in the community of Potrero, near state Route 94 and Bell Valley. The firefighters are working diligently to extinguish the blaze.
According to Cal Fire, the wildfire started on Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m. Initially, it was reported to have burned around 2 acres with a slow rate of spread, but there was a potential for it to grow up to 75 acres. As of 11:30 a.m., the wildfire was holding at 8 acres.
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Cal Fire provided an update stating that the vegetation fire was burning over an area of 12 acres and had been contained up to 20% as of 1:30 p.m.
At around noon, Caltrans San Diego reported that the brush fire led to the closure of all lanes of SR-94 at Bell Valley Truck Trail. To be specific, the eastbound lanes were closed at Harris Canyon Road while the westbound lanes were closed at Bell Valley Truck Trail.
Caltrans announced at 6:30 p.m. that traffic could resume in all lanes.
Cal Fire reports that the fire has been contained up to 50% and it remains at 12 acres as of 8:32 p.m.
According to Cal Fire, a number of firefighting air tankers from different regions of the state are effectively combating the vegetation fire on Tuesday afternoon. The units will continue to stay on site for several hours, as the crews work to reinforce control lines and address any potential hazards.
Cal Fire is receiving support from various agencies in their efforts to combat the wildfire, including the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, US Forest Service – Cleveland National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Viejas Fire Department, and US Border Patrol.
