CAL FIRE reported Tuesday afternoon that the Junction Fire near Santa Ysabel was 100% contained after burning about 8 acres along Highway 79. The fire started at 5:10 p.m. Monday near Hwy 79 in San Diego County, according to the agency's incident page.
The fire prompted a closure of Highway 79 between Morettis Junction and Mesa Grande Road on Monday evening, and CAL FIRE said one commercial structure was immediately threatened while the fire was still moving. By late Monday, the agency said the road closure had been fully lifted in both directions.
Fire crews were expected to continue suppression repair Tuesday, with a 48-hour patrol status in effect. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
For Santee residents, the incident lands just ahead of Fourth of July weekend, when travel toward Julian, Santa Ysabel and mountain recreation areas tends to pick up. It also underscores why East County fire officials keep warning residents to monitor road closures, avoid active fire areas and stay ready during peak summer fire conditions.
Source: CAL FIRE incident updates for the Junction Fire.