Fire crews spent yesterday battling a stubborn vegetation fire along Burckthorn Trail in the Mountain Empire community of Campo, as flames chewed through dry brush and lit up the backcountry hills. CAL FIRE/San Diego and county crews pegged the blaze at roughly 8 to 10 acres with a moderate rate of spread, and the incident was still active after dark as authorities urged the public to steer clear of the area.
On X, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office highlighted the vegetation fire, sharing CAL FIRE/San Diego's field update that put the flames at about 8 to 10 acres with a moderate forward rate of spread. That first public update originated from CAL FIRE/San Diego, which has been posting incident details as crews radio them in from the line.
.@CALFIRESANDIEGO firefighters are at scene of a vegetation fire on Buckthorn Trail in the community of Campo. The fire is 8-10 acres with a moderate rate of spread. #ThornFire pic.twitter.com/mmLuC8YeAI
— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) July 15, 2026
Firefight On The Ground
Firefighters launched an initial attack to slow the blaze's advance and keep it from reaching nearby structures. Early reports listed no injuries, and officials had not yet detailed how many aircraft or additional overhead resources were assigned. Residents and drivers were asked to avoid Burckthorn Trail and give engines and personnel room to work; for evacuation maps and official instructions, visit AlertSanDiego.org.
High Fire Risk In Campo's Backcountry
The Mountain Empire corridor is a patchwork of chaparral and roadside fuels that can move fire quickly during dry weather, a setup that has made Campo a repeat hot spot for brush incidents. Officials and local outlets recently covered a mid-May brush fire that triggered evacuation warnings and a temporary shelter, a reminder of how fast conditions can turn.
Where To Find Reliable Updates
Agencies are expected to release updated acreage, containment figures and resource details once crews finish mapping the fire's perimeter, so watch for fresh information on official channels and local alert systems. Smaller vegetation fires under about 10 acres sometimes do not immediately appear on the state's incident list, so check the CAL FIRE incidents page and follow verified agency accounts for the quickest updates.
