Lyons Valley fire blackens 60 acres, forces evacuations, officials report

Update, Sept. 10—

A wildfire that has blackened hundreds of acres in rugged, hilly terrain southeast of El Cajon was 15 percent contained early today.

The blaze erupted for unknown reasons off Lawson Valley Road in the rural Lyons Valley area shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, according to Cal Fire. By 7:30 a.m. today, the flames had spread over an estimated 450 acres, the state

agency reported.

As of early today, there were no immediate threats to structures but only residents were being allowed into the areas closest to the fire, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Update, 4:30 p.m.—

Fire spread to about 225 acres. Evacuees were advised that they could wait out the fire in a temporary shelter set up for them at Jamul Primary School.

Monday, Sept. 9—

A wildfire blackened dozens of acres today in rugged, hilly terrain southeast of El Cajon, forcing evacuations of backcountry homes and sending a column of thick smoke high into the air.

The blaze erupted for unknown reasons off Lawson Valley Road in the rural Lyons Valley area shortly after 1 p.m., according to Cal Fire. Within 90 minutes, the flames had spread over about 60 acres, the state agency reported.

Though the blaze was posing no immediate structural threats, deputies cleared residents out of homes along the 19100 block of Lyons Valley and in other areas east of there as a precaution, sheriff’s Lt. Scott Amos said.