Golden Acorn Casino to serve as evacuation center during Shockey Fire

Update: 4:05 p.m., Sept. 23

— The Shockey Fire is spreading rapidly to the east, Cal Fire reports.

It is burning around some structures, and some have been destroyed. The incident commander has ordered an additional four strike teams of engines, 4 additional fire crews, 3 additional chief officers and an Incident Command Team.

American Red Cross has been ordered and an evacuation center is going to be established at the Golden Acorn Casino, which will also the location of the Incident Command Post, according to a statement from Cal Fire. The casino is on the Campo Indian Reservation.

Update: 3:20 p.m., Sept. 23

—Firefighters are battling a 300-acre brush fire that is threatening structures near the rural East County mountain hamlet of Boulevard.

“Hundreds of firefighters are out there right now,” said Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler. “A few outbuildings and sheds have been destroyed.”

There are no confirmed reports of residential structures being destroyed, said Mohler.

The wildland fire was called in to fire dispatch at 12:16 p.m.

Mohler said the blaze is within a mile or so of the backcountry community of Boulevard, which is on Interstate 8 about 65 miles east of San Diego.

The cause of the blaze is unknown and under investigation.

Update: 1:40 p.m., Sept. 23

—The Shockey Fire is now over 100 acres and spreading rapidly to the east, being driven by a southwest wind, reports Cal Fire.

The incident commander has requested 5 additional engines, 4 additional airtankers, 2 additional water tenders, and 1 additional bulldozer. There are structures out ahead of the fire but they are not immediately threatened.

Original report:

Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Authority are on the scene of a 30-acre brush fire off Shockey Road near the Campo, reports a Cal Fire spokesperson.

The fire was dispatched at 12:16 p.m. Sunday and the cause is under investigation.

Fifteen engines, 2 fire crews, 2 airtankers, 2 helicopters, 1 bulldozer, 1 water tender and 1 chief officer are either on scene or responding, and they are assisted by San Diego County Sheriff’d Department, reservation fire departments and U.S. Forest Service, said Cal Fire.