Lodge Fire​ In Spring Valley Now 50% Contained

SPRING VALLEY, CA — A fast-moving hillside brush fire near Sweetwater Reservoir that forced evacuations before ground and airborne crews were able to stop its progress was 50% contained Sunday, according to CalFire.

The Lodge Fire erupted for unknown reasons off Jamacha and Sweetwater Springs boulevards in Spring Valley shortly before 2 p.m. Friday, the state agency said.

Within 45 minutes, the flames, which were exhibiting a "critical rate of spread," had blackened about 30 open acres, the state agency reported.

Authorities cleared people out of homes and businesses near the burn zone as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to douse the fire amid temperatures in the mid-80s.

Covered by the mandatory evacuation order were homes and businesses along Bar Bit Road, Buggywhip Drive, Coach Drive, Doubletree Road, Hansom Lane, Hobble Lane, Lamplighter Village Drive, Singletree Lane, Trace Road, Via Cordova, Via Flora, Via Granada, Via Laguna, Via Lampara, Via Madera, Via Solana, Via Tortola, Wagon Wheel Drive, Whippletree Lane, and First through 10th streets.

A temporary shelter for the displaced was operating at Skyline Church in La Mesa, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office announced.

The evacuation order was later downgraded to a warning as conditions improved and was ultimately lifted.

The fire had burned 75 acres as of early Sunday, Cal Fire reported.

There were no reports of structural damage or injuries.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation, Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson said.

Management of mop-up operations was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because the fire was on that agency's land.

— City News Service