Crews Continue to Fight Julian Fire; Cause of Blaze Unknown

Cal Fire crews battled a 220-acre brush fire southeast of Julian Monday.

The so-called Vallecito Fire erupted about 8 p.m. Sunday in the vicinity of the Mason Valley Truck Trail, according to the state firefighting agency.

There were no immediately threats to structures, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.

The cause of the Vallecito Fire was not immediately reported but Schuler said there were 635 lightning strikes in San Diego County Sunday and additional resources were being positioned in the region to deal with any new fires that may occur as a result of the weather.

Around 6:30 p.m. Sunday–less than two hours before the Vallecito Fire broke out–Cal Fire fully contained the so-called , which scorched a whopping 2,007 acres northwest of Warner Springs since last Thursday afternoon.

The Chihuahua Fire was sparked by a lightning strike about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on Chihuahua Valley Road, according to Cal Fire. During the firefighting effort, about 200 ranches and cabins in the valley were evacuated, but no structures were lost.

Cal Fire estimated the cost of suppressing the Chihuahua Fire at $1.5 million.

A firefighter who became unwell in the 103-degree weather on Friday was airlifted to a hospital. Cal Fire reported that another firefighter suffered an injury.

–City News Service