Crime & Safety
Update: Banner Fire Up to 5,400 Acres; Containment May 30
Fifty people evacuated from a RV resort Friday were allowed home at 6 p.m. It was the second evacuation in Shelter Valley in two days.
Updated at 12:15 p.m. May 26, 2012
Full control of the Banner Fire in the Shelter Valley area, about 9 miles east of Julian, is expected by Wednesday. Cal Fire reported that it was 20 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Friday.
Firefighters estimated Saturday that the wildfire that has blackened about 4,100 acres east of Julian would be surrounded by fire lines by Monday.
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As of dawn, 438 firefighters were on the job, according to Cal Fire. That figure was likely to increase when fire commanders get an overhead view after daylight.
The blaze, which has caused no known structural damage or injuries, started in the Cigarette Hills area of eastern San Diego County, near Banner Grade, Thursday afternoon.
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Within two hours, it had grown to more than 1,000 acres, driven by steady winds out of the west.
The cause, if known, has not been disclosed.
About 50 people were evacuated out of Stage Coach Trails RV Resort on Friday but the evacuation was lifted at 6 p.m. It was the second evacuation out of the Shelter Valley community in two days. About 100 people were told to leave their homes as the fire grew rapidly on Thursday during gusty desert winds.
As of 8 p.m. Friday, firefighters still had 12 miles of fireline to construct. The fire was burning toward the east, primarily in grass and light brush, Cal Fire spokeswoman Roxanne Provaznik reported.
Strong erratic winds were driving the forward spread of the fire, which began Thursday. Poor road access, and steep, rugged terrain were hampering the fire fighting but Cal Fire reported making "continued good progress."
State Parks resources and archaeological, cultural and sensitive habitat remain threatened, Provaznik stated. Resources were being deployed to prepare for a burning operation along the Rodriguez Canyon Truck Trail.
The estimated cost so far to suppress the fire is $575,000. The cause is still under investigation.
Current fire information can be obtained at this Cal Fire website.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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