Nearly 2,000 firefighters were working Friday to subdue a wildfire in the far southern reaches of San Diego County that destroyed five homes, damaged a sixth and forced widespread evacuations since it erupted last weekend.
As of Friday morning, the so-called Border Fire near Potrero had grown to blacken 7,483 acres of mostly open land and was about 45 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. Evacuated residents of Canyon City, Cowboy Ranch, Dog Patch, Forest Gate, Potrero, Star Ranch and Lake Morena Village were allowed to return to their neighborhoods as crews gained better control of the flames.
"If the control lines are compromised the fire could potentially threaten the communities of Lake Morena, Campo as well as the outlying recreational assets as the fire continues to move north and northeast,'' according to a Cal Fire statement. "Firefighters continue strengthening and securing containment lines.''
A makeshift shelter at Los Coches Creek Middle School in Alpine will close at 7 p.m., according to the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties.