The blaze forced the closure of two Indian casinos and shut down a 12-mile stretch of the major roadway between San Diego and Yuma, AZ, for 11 hours yesterday. The fire is 30 percent contained as of yesterday evening. Full containment is anticipated by late Saturday. Advancement of the fire slowed as winds diminished yesterday to 10 mph, with gusts of about 25 mph. Winds are expected to diminish even more within the next few days, the National Weather Service told news media yesterday.
Conditions continue to be dry, with seven percent humidity.
There has been little rainfall in eastern San Diego County. Less than one-hundredth of an inch was recorded in December. It was the driest December in about 70 years, local officials said. Two people have sustained minor injuries, including a firefighter with facial burns. At least 2,000 firefighters and 220 engines from around California continue to battle the blaze.