Evacuation Orders Lifted as Firefighters Contain Posta 3 Fire in San Diego’s East County

The Posta 3 Fire, a fast-moving brush fire near Campo in San Diego‘s East County, had its evacuation orders and warnings lifted on Tuesday as firefighters made significant progress in containing the blaze, according to fire authorities.

The fire, which ignited off La Posta Road near Old Highway 80, began around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Initially contained to 75 acres within an hour, the flames grew, reaching approximately 350 acres by 6:40 p.m. At that point, Cal Fire reported a decrease in fire activity, with containment efforts underway.

“Firefighters are making good progress. The fire activity has decreased significantly,” Cal Fire reported on X, formerly known as Twitter. By 9:30 p.m., Cal Fire confirmed 10% containment of the fire, which eventually reached 413 acres but was fully contained by 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

Overnight, fire crews focused on containment by creating a perimeter and targeting hotspots, eventually stopping the fire’s forward rate of spread and extending containment to 25%. The operation included more than 40 fire-suppression resources, including fire engines, trucks, and aircraft dropping water and fire retardant, as explained by Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson.

On Monday, strong winds from the east pushed the flames quickly across the rocky, hilly terrain, increasing concern for nearby structures. In the area surrounding Boulevard, temperatures soared to 88 degrees with wind gusts reaching up to 19 mph, as reported by NBC 7 meteorologist Greg Bledsoe, who described the conditions as hot, dry, and breezy.

Residents off Kitchen Creek Road experienced an urgent evacuation, with some describing the scene as chaotic. “I quickly ran out. It was moving fast,” Adam Caton told NBC 7, after witnessing the fire through his property’s security cameras. Similarly, long-time resident Rebecca Gonzales shared that the wildfire posed a direct threat to her home. “It was big, and it was scary,” Gonzales stated.

The rapid response by fire departments, including the use of air tankers and helicopters, was vital in managing the fire. The fire remained a potential threat to a dozen homes when the winds drove it east northeast, adding to the urgency.

While there were two reported injuries, Cal Fire did not provide additional details on the conditions of those affected. The origin of the blaze is under investigation, with local authorities still gathering information.

Throughout the crisis, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office coordinated evacuations and set up a temporary shelter at the Golden Acorn Casino, where the American Red Cross provided assistance. By Tuesday evening, all associated road closures had been lifted.