Containment of Grove Fire Near Palomar Mountain Doubles to 40%

Containment of the 863-acre Grove Fire grew to 40% late Friday with firefighters able to stop the progress of flames originally sparked by lightning.

The blaze broke out about 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Sunshine Summit area, north of Oak Grove and east of Palomar Mountain, according to Cal Fire. Containment had been at 20% as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

There were 374 personnel, two helicopters, 20 engines, five bulldozers, 12 water tenders and 14 fire crews assigned to battle the blaze, along with 82 other personnel, according to Cal Fire.

As ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to halt the spread of the blaze, moving southeast, sheriff’s deputies cleared residents out of homes closest to its leading edges.

An evacuation warning was lifted on Friday though an order for a much smaller area remained in effect.

As ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to halt the spread of the blaze, moving southeast, sheriff’s deputies cleared residents out of homes closest to its leading edges.

A temporary shelter for the displaced was in operation at Warner Springs Community Resource Center.

Despite crews’ steady progress in quelling the blaze, Chihuahua Valley Road remained closed until further notice.

– City News Service