Authorities said the Forester Fire near La Cresta Road and Old Bend Road was threatening structures in La Cresta on Saturday, as evacuation orders and warnings were issued for nearby San Diego County neighborhoods.
's office relayed the alert Saturday evening, identifying the incident as the Forester Fire and confirming that evacuation orders and warnings had been issued around La Cresta Road and Old Bend Road. San Diego County Fire crews were reported at the scene, according to the alert, which was originally issued by Alert San Diego.
Per the alert, the Forester Fire is currently threatening structures in the area, though the exact number of homes or other buildings at risk has not been detailed.
Where Residents Can Go
Granite Hills High School, located at 1719 E. Madison Ave. in El Cajon, has been opened as a temporary evacuation point for people displaced by the fire. The designation came directly from the sheriff's office alert, which did not provide further details on shelter capacity or services available on site.
The alert also spelled out the difference between the two levels of evacuation notice now in effect near the fire zone. An evacuation order means there is an imminent threat to life, requiring residents in that zone to leave immediately. An evacuation warning, meanwhile, signals a potential threat to life or property, and officials say those under a warning should still consider leaving right away if they have large animals, disabilities, or other access or functional needs that could make a quick departure difficult later.
How To Track Updates
Officials are directing residents to Alert San Diego and Genasys Protect for evacuation information. Genasys Protect provides live evacuation and road-closure information.
Finding Evacuation and Hazard Information
For residents looking to locate their evacuation zone and follow changing notices, Alert San Diego directs users to Genasys Protect for live evacuation and road-closure information. The service also allows residents to register for emergency alerts by phone, email and text.
San Diego County's Know Your Hazards wildfire GIS layer uses Very High, High and Moderate classifications. The available layer information does not establish which classification applies around La Cresta Road and Old Bend Road; mapped labels also do not establish the Forester Fire's behavior or the risk at a specific address, according to the San Diego County GIS layer.
The sheriff's office is also urging residents to follow its own account and CAL FIRE San Diego for the latest information as the situation develops. As of the Saturday evening alert, no updates on containment, injuries, or damage had been released, and it remains unclear whether the evacuation orders and warnings are still active.
