Campo, United States - October 07, 2024

A fierce brush fire, christened the "Posta 3 Fire," erupted north of Campo in San Diego's East County, growing alarmingly fast and endangering structures while forcing evacuations and road closures on Monday. The fire, which ignited around 2:30 p.m. near La Posta Road off Old Highway 80, consumed over 75 acres within an hour of its outbreak, as reported by Cal Fire San Diego.

By 6:40 p.m., the fire had escalated dramatically, covering approximately 350 acres. Although fire activity had significantly decreased by then, the fight against the blaze continued into the night. By 9:30 p.m., containment efforts had reached 10%, with firefighters working tirelessly overnight to fortify control lines.

The impact of the fire was immediate and widespread, affecting between 200 to 250 residents with evacuation orders and warnings. A shelter was set up at the Golden Acorn Casino, where the American Red Cross provided support, and provisions were made for large animals at the San Diego County Animal Shelter.

The fire's aggressive spread was facilitated by hot, dry, and breezy conditions typical of Southern California's fire season. At one point, 88-degree temperatures combined with 17% humidity and 25 mph wind gusts, pushing the fire northeast towards at least a dozen homes.

Eyewitness accounts painted a vivid picture of the chaos. Adam Caton, a local resident, described his shock at the fire's speed, witnessing its approach via security cameras. Rebecca Gonzales, a ten-year resident of the area, faced her first wildfire, admitting the experience was "scary" as the flames encroached on her home. Jeff Haas, another local, was ready to evacuate, ensuring his family and belongings were safe, highlighting the readiness and resilience of those living in fire-prone areas.

The response to the Posta 3 Fire was comprehensive, involving multiple Cal Fire crews, air tankers, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. Their collective efforts included aerial drops of retardant and water, alongside ground teams digging firebreaks to halt the fire's advance.