Eagle fire spreads to 11,000 acres, burning northwest

The Eagle fire in northeastern San Diego County has spread to 11,000 acres and is 40 percent contained, CalFire reported Sunday evening.

The fire is burning in a mix of grass, brush, oak and pine trees in steep, rugged terrain on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation east of Warner Springs and in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The fire is moving toward the northwest and is visible from Borrego Springs, states a fact sheet released by CalFire.

A total of 1,771 firefighters are battling the blaze, reported Roxanne Provaznik of CalFire: 67 engines, 82 fire crews, 32 water tenders, 14 bulldozers, three helitankers and six air tankers. Five firefighters have suffered minor injuries.

Agencies fighting the brush fire include CalFire, San Diego County Fire Authority, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, California Department of Parks & Recreation, California Emergency Management Agency, California Conservation Corps, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the California Air National Guard.

Firefighters took advantage of the increased humidity and made significant progress, reported CalFire.

Cost to fight the fire, which started at 10:40 p.m. on Thursday July 21, is $4.5 million as of Sunday evening, noted Provaznik. The fire destroyed one outbuilding. No other structures have been damaged.

Borrego Palm Canyon Campfire and Trail and Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp have been closed.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Residents needing more information may contact the Eagle fire information line at 619-590-3160, or go to www.fire.ca.gov.