Tusil Fire Triggers Evacuations, Freeway Closures

CAL FIRE said the Tusil Fire broke out at about 1 p.m. on May 19 on Tusil Road on the Campo Reservation in eastern San Diego County. The wildfire grew quickly through the afternoon, prompting evacuation orders and warnings, threatening structures and forcing the closure of Interstate 8 as crews tried to keep the flames from crossing the freeway. By 8:41 p.m., CAL FIRE listed the fire at 1,000 acres and 10% containment, with the cause under investigation. The 37000 block of Tusil Road was the reported point of origin, according to local coverage citing fire officials. KPBS reported that a temporary evacuation point was set up at Golden Acorn Casino in Campo for residents forced to leave. NBC 7 reported that dark smoke was visible over Interstate 8 as aircraft dropped retardant on the fire. (fire.ca.gov) ### Where did the fire start, and how fast did it grow? CAL FIRE listed the location as Tusil Road on the Campo Reservation, with a start time of 1 p.m. on May 19. An afternoon incident update put the fire at 30 acres and 0% containment at 2:27 p.m., with evacuation orders already in place for multiple San Diego County zones. By 6:27 p.m., CAL FIRE said the fire had reached 550 acres and 10% containment, with one structure damaged and 150 personnel assigned. (kpbs.org) By Tuesday night, the agency raised the estimate to 1,000 acres and said firefighters were working to stop the forward rate of spread. FOX 5 reported the fire spread to 15 acres within 30 minutes of the first reports. (fire.ca.gov) The station said the blaze was burning near the Golden Acorn Casino on the reservation. ### Which evacuation zones were under orders and warnings? CAL FIRE’s incident page said evacuation orders were in effect Tuesday night for zones SDC-2170, SDC-2172 and SDC-2240. (fire.ca.gov) Evacuation warnings were listed for zones SDC-2169, SDC-2171, SDC-2173, SDC-2325 and SDC-2326, after officials updated the evacuation map in the evening. Earlier in the day, CAL FIRE had listed a broader set of zones under evacuation orders, including SDC-2033, SDC-2169, SDC-2170, SDC-2171, SDC-2172, SDC-2173, SDC-2240, SDC-2325 and SDC-2326, with SDC-2324 under warning. (fox5sandiego.com) FOX 5 reported that by about 9 p.m. the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said some orders and warnings had been reduced because of “improved conditions.” (fire.ca.gov) KPBS said the order meant residents in the red zone had to leave immediately, while those in the yellow warning area were told to prepare to evacuate if conditions changed. ### What happened on Interstate 8 and nearby roads? NBC 7 reported that Interstate 8 was closed in both directions as the fire pushed toward the freeway and later crossed it. (fire.ca.gov) CAL FIRE said at 3:57 p.m. that crews and aircraft were trying to keep the fire north of Interstate 8, and said the highway remained closed during firefighting operations. (kpbs.org) KPBS reported that I-8 westbound at State Route 94 and I-8 eastbound at Kitchen Creek were closed as of 5:07 p.m. NBC 7 later reported that by about 9:30 p.m. the No. 1 lanes in both directions had reopened, while No. 2 lanes remained closed in both directions until further notice. ### What have fire officials said about damage and firefighting conditions? (nbcsandiego.com) CAL FIRE said one structure had been damaged as of the 6:27 p.m. update. FOX 5, citing Cal Fire Captain Mike Cornette, reported that 14 to 17 residences were affected but that no homes were damaged, while an auxiliary structure and a vehicle sustained damage. (kpbs.org) Captain Mike Cornett told NBC 7 that firefighters were digging hand lines down to bare mineral soil and using hose lines to suppress the fire. He said rocky terrain was making movement difficult for both firefighters and bulldozers. ### Where should residents look for the next update? CAL FIRE said evacuation information and perimeter updates would continue to be posted on its Tusil Fire incident page. (fire.ca.gov) NBC 7 reported that CAL FIRE directed residents to the San Diego County Sheriff’s alerts for the latest evacuation changes, while KPBS said evacuees could use the temporary point at Golden Acorn Casino in Campo. (fire.ca.gov) (nbcsandiego.com)