MARRON VALLEY (CNS) - A wildfire burned across rugged open terrain east of Otay Mesa and just north of the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday, pushing into Baja California as ground and air crews worked to corral the flames.
The non-injury blaze -- the second to break out in the same general vicinity in the last two days -- began spreading for unknown reasons near Tecate Creek in Marron Valley at about 10 a.m., according to Cal Fire.
By midday, the flames had blackened some 20 acres and moved south across the international line, said Thomas Shoots, a fire captain with the state agency.
.@CALFIRESANDIEGO is at scene with cooperators of a vegetation fire along the US/Mexico border, east of Marron Valley Rd. Fire is 20 acres with moderate spread and is currently pushing southeast into Mexico. #Border16Fire pic.twitter.com/aBG7ChZgjh
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) June 21, 2022
Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters were battling the blaze, which posed no immediate structural threats. As of shortly after noon, the nearest homes to the burn area were several miles away, Shoots said.
The fire was reported about 14 hours after another blaze erupted a few miles to the west, on the outskirts of Otay Mesa. Crews were able to halt the spread of that fire -- which also caused no known injuries or property damage -- by 3 a.m. Tuesday, by which time it had scorched roughly 30 acres, Shoots said.
As of 2:47 p.m., the fire has spread to 40 acres and is 5 percent contained. Cal Fire tells ABC 10 News that one firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor heat-related illness.
#Border16Fire near Marron Valley [update] Fire is 40 acres and 5% contained. Firefighters are working with resources from Mexico to stop the fire’s spread on both sides of the border. pic.twitter.com/4NpeTGOS1z
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) June 21, 2022
As of 5:25 p.m., CalFire said the fire has stopped at 70 acres and is now 25% contained. Firefighters will remain on scene through Wednesday for mop-up and line construction.
#Border16Fire near Marron Valley [update] Fire spread has been stopped at 70 acres and fire is now 25% contained. One firefighter w/minor heat-related illness was transported to hospital. Fire resources will remain at scene through tomorrow for mop-up and line construction. pic.twitter.com/XKxSaGBQUh
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) June 22, 2022
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