Efforts continued Thursday to contain a brush fire that has blackened an estimated 976 open acres near El Monte County Park.
As of Thursday morning, firefighters had the blaze — which has been dubbed the Monte Fire — at about 25% containment.
“The fire continues to burn at a slow to moderate rate of spread,” Cal Fire said.
“Crews were able to take advantage of favorable weather conditions overnight. The fire is still burning in a remote area with steep, rocky terrain. Fire crews will continue focusing on building and improving containment lines.
“Because the area is so remote and hard to reach by ground, crews are being shuttled in by helicopters. Evacuation orders and warnings are still in effect, but there are currently no structures threatened.”
Fire officials said three firefighters have suffered minor injuries while battling the flames.
The blaze erupted for unknown reasons at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday off the 15000 block of El Monte Road in Lakeside.
As the fire spread to the east over rugged terrain below El Cajon Mountain, authorities cleared residents out of rural neighborhoods north of El Monte Road, east of Hazy Meadow Lane, south of Featherstone Canyon Road and northwest of El Capitan Reservoir.
Large animal evacuation shelters have been set up at 11055 Moreno Rd. at Dianne Jacob Equestrian Park, while a temporary shelter was established for the evacuees at a Walmart Super Center at 13487 Camino Canada in El Cajon.
Camino CanadaThe San Diego County Air Pollution Control District has issued an advisory that smoke from the fire could lead to unhealthy atmospheric conditions in surrounding communities, including Alpine, Blossom Valley, Ramona, San Diego Country Estates.
“In areas of heavy smoke near the fire, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals,” the agency warned.
“In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups.
SDAPCD also warned if you smell smoke near the affected communities, it is a good idea to limit physical activity.
“If possible, stay indoors to limit your exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially those residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children.”
Face masks, such as N-95s and KN-95s, as well as indoor air filtration will help with the smoke and particulate matter, experts said.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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