Story and Photos By Josh Stotler
June 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Federal, state, and tribal fire departments battled the #Blackwood Fire this afternoon, which threatened homes before crews halted the blaze at 37 acres.
The fire broke out around noon on the Campo Reservation just off interstate 8 on Black Wood Rd and Old Mine Rd. Initial responders confirmed a vegetation fire and immediately upgraded the incident, calling for more ground units as well as air support.
The “Blackwood Command” was established; forecasters expected the fire to move quickly and char at least 100 acres, according to a CAL FIRE radio transmission.
Structures were immediately threatened and evacuations were ordered on portions of the Manzanita and La Posta Reservations.
Air drops were directed at the residences in harm’s way. Direct drops from the CAL FIRE air tankers onto homes protected all the structures, with the exception of one small out building that was lost.
Coordinated efforts between CAL FIRE, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forrest Service, Campo Reservation Fire Dept., San Diego Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter and numerous other agencies kept the fire to 37 acres. This is a big win given the remote location and plentiful fuel.
In total over 50 units were dispatched to this fire. No lives were lost and no fire personnel were injured.
Residents evacuated immediately and staged where instructed, with a temporary evacuation center set up at the Golden Acre. The cooperation of residents made it easier and safer for fire crews to extinguish the blaze, even as multiple other fires in East County drew firefighting resources later in the afternoon.
This fire was an example of the best case scenario.