The McCain Fire, a blaze triggered by a car crash near the McCain Valley Road exit of Interstate 8, has expanded to 1,000 acres, has put the San Diego County region on high alert. Starting just before 4 p.m. yesterday, Fox 5 San Diego reports that Cal Fire crews are strenuously working for the second day to contain the wildfire, with 5% of it being contained as of Tuesday morning. With the fire's growth, evacuation warnings and orders are in effect around Jacumba Hot Springs, where the surrounding vegetation provided fuel to the flames.

During the fire's onslaught, a smoke advisory issued by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is still in active effect, cautioning residents in Southeast San Diego County, particularly east of Boulevard and north of Titus. The advisory intends to acknowledge the dangers posed by the deleterious smoke emanating from the McCain Fire, which impedes visibility and compromises air quality for local communities. According to Cal Fire, no injuries have been documented, although details on the driver whose crash ignited the fire remain sparse, alluding to the broader risks inherent in the crisis.

***ACTIVE SMOKE ADVISORY***
***STILL IN EFFECT***

AFFECTED AREA: Extreme Southeast San Diego County AFFECTED COMMUNITIES: Areas east of Boulevard and north of Titus

For more information visit our website, https://t.co/a4Xyhs1V6j https://t.co/uKqE224uY5

— San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (@sdapcd) July 2, 2024

The fire's relentless march forward led to more than 150 structures being under threat, activating a spate of evacuation orders and warnings in the region. Evacuation zones have been clearly defined on a map available on the San Diego county website, with areas in yellow reflecting an evacuation warning, while pink notes a more severe evacuation order requiring immediate departure. Meanwhile, an evacuation center was established at Golden Acorn Casino to assist those affected, as detailed by a resident who, "laid in our vehicles overnight," due to the dire conditions and told Fox 5 San Diego.

Cal Fire and supporting agencies deployed over 200 personnel to address the ongoing emergency, with four aerial teams conducting water drops to suppress the flames. The strategy seemed to bear fruit on Monday night as crews "took advantage of the low fire intensity last night and made progress in containing the fire", as mentioned in an update from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.