San Diego wildfire grows to 130 acres, evacuation orders issued

A vegetation fire near San Diego's Sorrento Valley grew to 130 acres by Sunday evening, with zero per cent containment, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) said. The fire was first reported around 1:30 pm local time near the canyon between Sorrento Valley Boulevard and Carmel Mountain Road, Hindustan Times reports. SDFD said 54 units and 160 fire personnel were engaged in suppression operations.

Evacuation orders were issued for zone SDC-1444, and evacuation warnings for zones SDC-1443, SDC-1492, SDC-1494, SDC-1399, SDC-1400, SDC-1401, SDC-1442, and SDC-1446, according to Hindustan Times and Times Now. Temporary evacuation points were set up at Mandell Weiss Eastgate Park and 4201 Eastgate Mall in University City. Roads including 10800 Vista Sorrento Parkway, Sorrento Valley Boulevard, and Jasmine Crest Lane were closed. Smoke was seen across El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, and other areas.

Reports on the fire's size varied earlier in the day. SDFD estimated 6-7 acres before 3 pm, FIRIS OES Intel 24 mapped it at 71.1 acres, and an air attack assessment cited by Watch Duty estimated 20-25 acres with moderate spread, Times Now reports. Incident Command said wind shifted the fire south and southeast into thicker vegetation near a creek. The cause remains under investigation.