- A 236-acre wildfire, named the Thorn Fire, ignited near Campo in San Diego County.
- Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for multiple zones; a temporary evacuation point is at Golden Acorn Casino.
- Fire crews closed Interstate 8 in both directions as they battle the blaze with aerial and ground resources.
- Dry vegetation, extreme heat (mid-90s to over 100°F), and gusty winds are driving rapid fire spread.
Thorn Fire Ignites in Remote San Diego County
A wildfire dubbed the Thorn Fire erupted Wednesday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. near the 2500 block of Buckthorn Trail in Campo, a rural community in San Diego County. The fire quickly grew to 236 acres as of 5:40 p.m., prompting evacuation orders and warnings, and threatening nearby structures. Fire crews are working aggressively to contain the blaze, which is 0% contained, as conditions remain volatile. By 6:22 p.m., the fire had grown to 593 acres, and around 10 minutes later it ballooned to 699 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire continues to burn at a moderate to dangerous rate of spread, posing an immediate threat to structures. As of 9:05 p.m., the fire had grown to 750 acres and remained 0% contained. The burn zone had been estimated at just 50 acres around 5 p.m., according to CalFire. The fire has now burned at least 1,201 acres, according to Cal Fire, and is 10% contained as of Thursday morning. The Thorn Fire was reported July 15 near 2500 Buckthorn Trail, close to Clover Trail. It expanded from an initial 8 to 10 acres to 50 acres and crossed Interstate 8 by 5 p.m., and was 0% contained by 9:45 p.m. It was 10% contained as of Thursday morning.
Evacuations and Road Closures
According to Watch Duty and local reports, evacuation orders were issued for areas north and south of I-8, west of Lost Valley Road and east of Manzanita and Cottonwood roads, along with Hubble Road. Evacuation warnings are in effect for an area southeast of the fire zone, another farther east and north of I-8, and a third extending north to the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness Study Area. A temporary evacuation point has been established at the Golden Acorn Casino, located at 1800 Golden Acorn Way. Fire officials have closed Interstate 8 in both directions near the burn area to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles and to protect motorists from smoke and fire activity. As of 6:49 p.m., specific evacuation zones were detailed: orders for zones SDC-2174, 2175, 2176, 2331, 2332, 2333, 2334, 2241, 2242, 2243, and 2244; warnings for zones SDC-2117, 2177, 2245, 2335, 2408, and 2410. Eastbound I-8 is closed at Crestwood Road and westbound I-8 at State Route 94/Ribbon Road for an unknown duration. Drivers are advised to use Old Highway 80 as an alternate route. The evacuation orders, which continued to expand as the fire grew rapidly in the evening, include areas north and south of I-8, bounded roughly on the west where Old Highway 80 meets I-8, extending to the northeast along Williams Road, and beyond McCain Valley Road to Tule Lake. Streets within the evacuation zone include Williams, Live Oaks Trail, Clements Street, High Pass Road, Lilac Lane, Manzanita and Cottonwood roads, Ribbonwood Boulevard, Ribbonwood Road, Angel Drive, Roadrunner Lane and Rocky Knoll Road. In addition, some evacuation warnings were upgraded to orders, one to an area southeast of the fire zone, reaching state Route 94, and another farther east and north of I-8. Other evacuation warnings have been issued, all to the north, approaching the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness Study Area, and northeast of the fire’s flashpoint along I-8. There is also a smoke advisory for areas around Live Oak Springs, Boulevard, Tierra Del Sol and McCain Valley. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District has issued a smoke advisory for areas around Boulevard, Live Oak Springs, McCain Valley and Tierra Del Sol. Residents in those areas are advised to limit outdoor activity due to unhealthy air quality. As of July 16, evacuation orders and warnings have been updated. The Golden Acorn Evacuation Shelter has closed. Interstate 8 is reduced to one lane in both directions, though the eastbound Crestwood and westbound Ribbonwood on-ramps remain open. Ribbonwood Road is restricted to residents only near Roadrunner Lane.
On Friday, around 1:56 p.m., CHP confirmed that all lanes of the I-8 affected by the fire had reopened. Crews advise motorists to drive safely in the area as firefighter equipment is transported.
Firefighting Efforts and Conditions
Firefighters are deploying a multi-pronged attack, including water-dropping helicopters, fixed-wing air tankers dropping retardant, bulldozers constructing fire breaks, and hand crews on the ground. The terrain is difficult, and dry brush, extreme heat (mid-90s to over 100°F in inland valleys and mountains, up to 113°F in desert communities), and gusty winds are contributing to erratic fire behavior. The National Weather Service issued an extreme-heat warning in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday. Incident commanders requested 10 engines, four hand crews, two bulldozers, two additional air tankers, and a helicopter, according to Watch Duty. Officials caution that containment percentages and acreage figures may change rapidly as conditions evolve. Firefighters will work overnight, continuing to build and strengthen containment lines while night flying helicopters work to extinguish hot spots from the air. Cooler overnight temperatures are expected to support firefighting efforts however, gusty winds in some areas continue to challenge containment. Three night flying helicopters will continue water dropping operations throughout the night, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity to slow fire spread and support firefighters on the ground. The fire continues to burn to the east past Ribbonwood Road, toward McCain Valley Road. Over 90 pieces of fire equipment and more than 600 firefighters are engaged in fire suppression efforts, according to Cal Fire. On July 16, firefighters made significant progress constructing and reinforcing containment lines across the Thorn Fire burn area. Crews continue to engage in active mop-up operations, targeting interior hot spots to secure control lines. While interior smoldering remains, there is currently a low probability of outward fire growth. Extreme heat persisted over the incident today, with temperatures exceeding 100°F. Fire behavior analysts are monitoring an incoming monsoonal weather pattern, which is expected to bring an increased potential for dry lightning and thunderstorm development. CAL FIRE Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are surveying the area to identify any structures that may have been impacted by fire; damage assessments are currently 45% complete.
Cal Fire Capt. Oscar Sotelo said Thursday firefighters took advantage of cooler overnight conditions by deploying three firefighting helicopters that conducted water drops under the cover of darkness. Additionally, an overnight intelligence flight equipped with infrared technology mapped the fire, allowing crews to obtain a more accurate estimate of its size. With the forward rate of spread stopped, Capt. Sotelo says the focus is now on strengthening containment lines. Despite the overnight progress, firefighters are preparing for difficult conditions Thursday as an Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect across parts of the region. Capt. Sotelo said crews are also monitoring the potential for localized winds that could challenge containment efforts. Fire officials said residents may continue to see smoke and occasional flare-ups within the fire area. However, crews are hoping those flare-ups remain well inside the established perimeter and do not threaten containment lines. No injuries have been reported in connection with the fire, officials said. Damage assessment teams are expected to survey the burn area Thursday to determine how many structures may have been damaged or destroyed. Cal Fire officials also expressed hope that evacuation orders and warnings could begin to be reduced later Thursday as containment improves. Capt. Sotelo thanked residents who followed evacuation orders, saying their cooperation has helped firefighters safely carry out suppression efforts.
Overnight Progress and Current Status
Firefighters made good progress overnight, successfully stopping the fire’s forward spread. Night flying helicopters played a critical role in slowing the fire’s spread by making continuous water drops on active fire throughout the night, providing firefighters with valuable opportunities to strengthen containment efforts. As of 6:22 a.m. Thursday, the Thorn Fire is now 10% contained and the forward rate of progress has been stopped. Crews will continue strengthening containment lines, extinguishing hotspots, and improving containment throughout the day. While fire activity has decreased, residents should continue to stay informed and monitor fire updates. Overnight, firefighters continued making progress containing the Thorn Fire. They are building and strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots. CAL FIRE Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are surveying the area to identify any structures that may have been impacted by fire.
On July 17, firefighters made significant progress on the Thorn Fire under challenging conditions and extreme heat. Despite soaring daytime temperatures, crews successfully continued mop-up operations and built more containment line. Overnight, crews will remain engaged patrolling and extinguishing interior hotspots. As of July 18, the Thorn Fire is now 80% contained. Containment of the Thorn Fire in rural southeastern San Diego County has reached 80% and remains at 1,234 acres burned, officials said Saturday. The wildfire broke out Wednesday near the Buckthorn and Clover trails in the Live Oak Springs neighborhood of Boulevard. Driven by the sweltering heat wave, the fast-moving flames initially spread south of Interstate 8 and north of Campo Road, according to Cal Fire. Extreme heat persisted over the incident Thursday, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Fire behavior analysts were monitoring an incoming monsoonal weather pattern, which was expected to bring an increased potential for dry lightning and thunderstorm development. Traffic and local access remain impacted. I-8 was reduced to one lane in both directions, though the eastbound Crestwood and westbound Ribbonwood on-ramps remain open. Ribbonwood Road was restricted to residents only near Roadrunner Lane. Officials urged motorists to drive cautiously and watch for emergency crews. About 90 minutes after ignition, the fire jumped the interstate, forcing authorities to close a stretch of the freeway as flames burned on both sides. Forward progress was halted on Thursday. The blaze posed an immediate threat to backcountry homes, prompting the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to order evacuations for residents on both sides of I-8. Those farther from the advancing fire were advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Cal Fire damage inspection teams remain active on the ground, with assessments currently 65% complete. Despite the fire’s rapid spread, no injuries or structural damage have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
As of July 18, the Thorn Fire is now 85% contained, with firefighters continuing to improve and strengthen containment lines. Patrolling and monitoring for hotspots will continue into the night.
On July 19, the Thorn Fire reached 95% containment after overnight patrols, and by 1:23 p.m. it was declared 100% contained. Firefighters continued to patrol and monitor for hotspots.
Local Impact in Campo and San Diego County
Campo, located in eastern San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border, is a small unincorporated community surrounded by chaparral and grassland. The Thorn Fire poses a direct threat to rural homes and infrastructure. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office and Cal Fire are coordinating evacuations and response. About 130 San Diego Gas & Electric customers near Live Oak Springs were without power as of 3:43 p.m., with service expected to be restored by 9 p.m. Residents are urged to monitor official alerts and prepare to leave immediately if ordered.
Evacuation Lifts
As of 11:31 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, some evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents in zones SDC 2241-B, SDC 2174, and SDC 2331-B are allowed to return. Officials continue to monitor conditions and may adjust evacuation statuses as needed.
As of July 17, all evacuation orders have been lifted. The following zones were lifted: SDC-2175-B, SDC-2241-A, SDC-2242-B, SDC-2243-B, SDC-2332-A, and SDC-2333-B. Road closures have also been lifted: Interstate 8 is fully open in both directions, and Ribbonwood Road across from Roadrunner Lane is now open.
As of July 17, firefighters have made good progress constructing and reinforcing containment lines. Crews remain on scene to mop up remaining hot spots.
As of July 17, all remaining evacuation orders have been lifted, and road closures on Interstate 8 and Ribbonwood Road have been removed.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday evening that evacuation orders and warnings had been lifted for all areas except for those immediately around the fire perimeter. The temporary evacuation shelter operated by the American Red Cross at the Golden Acorn Casino is now closed.
Background
San Diego County has a history of destructive wildfires, particularly in its eastern backcountry. The 2023 Border 32 Fire and the 2020 Valley Fire are recent reminders of the region's vulnerability during dry, windy conditions. The Thorn Fire is the latest in a series of early-season blazes fueled by drought-parched vegetation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
What Residents Should Do
Residents in affected zones should follow evacuation orders without delay. Prepare an emergency kit with medications, documents, and essentials. Keep vehicles fueled and ready. Avoid driving through smoke or closed roads. Stay tuned to local news and official alerts from Cal Fire and the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services. Use Genasys Protect at protect.genasys.com or its mobile app to monitor real-time emergency alerts and understand evacuation zones.