ANITA FIRE HALTED YARDS FROM HOMES IN SPRING VALLEY

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler



August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley)--A vegetation fire threatened homes on Millar Ranch Road north of Millar Anita Ln in Spring Valley today. Some residents were ordered to evacuated and others asked to shelter in place amid flying ash and debris, with firefighting vehicles lining the roadway. Emergency responders helped escort evacuating residents to safety while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:24 pm and crews responded to find a fire in dense vegetation moving at a moderate rate of spread. Homes on Millar Ranch Rd were immediately threatened and more resources were ordered. Air and ground resources worked under a unified fire command to attack this fire head on and keep the loss of life and property to zero.

Cal Fire crews lit a back fire to eliminate fuel between the head of the fire and houses.

One homeowner, Grace Russo, stayed behind to help save her home. “I sent my daughter and my 90 year old mother to safety and I stayed behind with my labs,” she said of the family's dogs.

The fire came to within yards of Russo’s residence. A large fire break was present and there was no vegetation within 100 feet of the house. This and the hard work of the units assigned to structure protection played a big part in keeping this rural neighborhood safe.

As the back fire burned away remaining fuel, firefighters were able to contain the fire in a few hours. The final acreage was called in at 12 acres.

Mop up will continue through the night and Millar Ranch Rd. Will remain closed for 24 hours per San Diego County Public Works. The cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation per Cal Fire.

Josh Stotler is a freelance photojournalist with over 15 years in the fire service as a firefighter with multiple local and international fire agencies.