SR-94 closed due to brush fire near border: Cal Fire

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Crews are battling a wildfire near the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday that is threatening a highway.

Firefighters are working to douse a vegetation fire that began Tuesday morning — dubbed the Border 63 fire — in the area of state Route 94 and Bell Valley in the community of Potrero in southeastern San Diego County.

The wildfire began around 10 a.m. Tuesday and was initially reported to be burning at 2 acres with a slow rate of spread and the potential to grow to 75 acres. As of 11:30 a.m. it was holding at 8 acres, according to Cal Fire .

As of 1:30 p.m., the vegetation fire was burning at 12 acres and was 20% contained, Cal Fire said in an update .

Caltrans San Diego posted on X just before noon that all lanes of SR-94 at Bell Valley Truck Trail were closed due to the brush fire. The eastbound lanes were closed at Harris Canyon Road, and westbound lanes were closed at Bell Valley Truck Trail.

As of 6:30 p.m., all lanes had reopened to traffic, Caltrans said.

As of 8:32 p.m., the fire remains at 12 acres and is 50% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Several firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are making good progress on the vegetation fire Tuesday afternoon, Cal Fire says. Units will remain at the scene for several hours as crews strengthen control lines and work to mitigate hazards.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department, US Forest Service – Cleveland National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Viejas Fire Department and US Border Patrol are assisting Cal Fire in battling the wildfire.

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