Forest service officials estimate Gun fire will be contained by 8 tonight

Sunday, March 9—

Firefighters said today they expect to have a brush fire that scorched about 125 acres east of Pine Valley fully contained tonight.

No injuries or structure damage have been reported as a result of the fire, which was dubbed the Gun fire

images-2.FEATUREbecause of its proximity to a hunting club.

The fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, and had grown to between 75 and 100 acres by Saturday evening. It was burning off Interstate 8 and Sunrise Highway, and area authorities said had low fuel moisture and was hard for firefighters to access.

The blaze was at 125 acres and about 30 percent contained by late this morning, with 250 firefighters working on containment. U.S. Forest Service officials estimated the Gun fire would be contained around 8 p.m.

Gusty winds could also be an issue for firefighters, officials said.

A National Weather Service wind advisory was in effect when the fire was reported, but expired at 2 p.m. Saturday A high wind warning for the mountains and valleys is now in effect and is scheduled to expire at 5 p.m.

Northeast to east winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts of up to 55 mph, are expected through this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The fire prompted officials on Saturday to temporarily detour traffic off a stretch of Interstate 8 between Sunrise Highway and Buckman Springs Road.

Diverted traffic was allowed to use the frontage road, a section of old U.S. 80, to get past the smoky freeway lanes, but the closure was later lifted, CHP officials said.

Cal Fire personnel assisted U.S. Forest Service firefighters in battling the blaze, Cal Fire officials said. The Lakeside Fire Protection District dispatched a strike team and engines from Lakeside, Alpine, Viejas and Sycuan were also sent, Lakeside fire officials said.

—City News Service