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Wildfire prompts evacuations east of Julian

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The fire is NOT IN JULIAN. It is east of Julian, burning away from that community toward the desert.

Update: 6 p.m.

The Banner Fire is now 1,200 acres and 5 percent contained, reports Cal Fire..

Update: 4:55 p.m.

An evacuation center has been established at the Borrego Springs High School.

Concerned residents may call the Call Center at 619-590-3150.

Updates are being provided at 211, reports Cal Fire. Visit

www.sdcountyemergency.com

for updates online.

Update: 4:20 p.m.

This fire is now 1,000 acres, spreading rapidly, with a west wind pushing the fire to the east and burning onto Granite Peak, reports Cal Fire.

The fire is burning grass within last year’s Great Fire. The Incident Commander has ordered 10 more engines, 4 more fire crews, 2 additional helicopters, 4 additional bulldozers and 4 additional water tenders.

Update: 4 p.m. Cal Fire reports the first has spread to 300 acres. Red Cross is setting up an evacuation center at the Borrego Springs High School. San Diego Sheriff’s Department is handling evacuations, and Animal Control is being contacted for animal evacutions.

S-2 is being closed between Scissors Crossing and Shelter Valley, Cal Fire reported about 3:30 p.m. Highway 78 is also being closed in the fire area.

The Incident Commander has ordered 4 additional fire crews.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Original report:

A wildfire spread over about 20 open acres east of Julian Thursday, prompting evacuations of some backcountry residents.

The blaze near Banner Grade in the Whispering Pines area was reported about 2:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Authorities began evacuating people from the Shelter Valley region as crews fought the flames on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, said Nick Schuler, a battalion chief with the state agency.

It is not known what sparked the blaze.

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