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East County Wildfire & Emergengy Alerts
June 16, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- A brush fire in the In-Ko-Pah area has burned 30 acres at the boundary of Jacumba and Ocotillo, near the San Diego and Imperial County lines this afternoon. The #Inkopah5Fire is 20 percent contained and forward spread has been halted, per Cal Fire. On westbound I-8 just east of In-Ko-Pah, one lane is closed due to the fire.
Ben Schultz, owner of the Desert View Tower roadside landmark and Boulder Park on In-Ko-Pah, both on the National Registry of Historic Places, says he was told to evacuate after the fire started close to his home and businesses on In-Ko-Pah Road, but stayed trying to roundup his dogs and cats.
“High winds still making the fire out here seem rather scary,” he posted. Schultz said an RV brought to In-Ko-Pah Towing caught fire, igniting dry brush between I-8 and In-Ko-Pah Road.
Earlier he wrote, “I always thought that we could fight a fire here on own. Found out that little hoses for roses don't cut it. Jacumba Town has been terribly affected by fires over the years and all they had were little house hoses. Now Jacumba has a big fire system, we need one too.”
Two crews, eight engines and 68 firefighting personnel are at the scene.
In nearby Campo, firefirefighters halted a second wind-drive fire in Cameron Corners, holding it to two acres.
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