Crews continued efforts Saturday to build containment lines around a 300-acre wildfire near the Pala Casino that prompted evacuation orders in some neighborhoods that were later downgraded to evacuation warnings.
The Henderson Fire started for unknown reasons shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday off Henderson Road, north of state Route 76 and east of Interstate 15, according to Cal Fire. The blaze was 15% contained as of Saturday morning.
Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said evacuation orders are still in place.
“We’ve ordered additional aircraft this morning,” he said Saturday, adding the pilots have been helped by improved visibility.
There were no reports of structure damage or injuries.
The northwest-spreading fire grew to 30 acres by 6:59 p.m. Friday as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to subdue the blaze, the state agency reported.
The fire grew to 200 acres by 9:57 p.m. Friday, and to 300 acres by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.
“Firefighters were able to make progress (overnight) as fire behavior was minimal,” according to a Cal Fire statement Saturday morning. “A substantial number of extra firefighters and equipment have been requested for (Saturday), as there will be work to fully contain the fire.”
The county Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday afternoon that all evacuation orders had been downgraded to warnings, which remain in place.
A temporary evacuation point was set up at the Pala Casino parking lot.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Fire Authority on Saturday reported that “the smoke and haze some Orange County residents are smelling and seeing are from a vegetation fire in San Diego County. There is no threat to Orange County.”
Updated at 3:48 p.m., May 31, 2025
–City News Service
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