Chariot Fire burns 2,500 acres near Julian

JULIAN (CNS) – A fire southeast of Julian near Chariot Canyon blackened about 2,500 acres, and firefighters had the blaze about 20 percent contained Sunday night, fire officials said.

Three injuries have been reported since the fire broke out at about 1 p.m. Saturday off county Highway S-2 near the Butterfield Ranch and headed upslope toward Sunrise Highway, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire officials said as of about 5:15 p.m. today that 20 area residences were threatened by the so-called Chariot Fire.

The Horse Heaven Campground in Cleveland National Forest was evacuated, as were the El Prado, Laguna and Al Bahr Shrine campgrounds on Mount Laguna, Cal Fire officials said.

The American Red Cross set up an evacuation center at Joan MacQueen Middle School at 2001 Tavern Road in Alpine, according to Cal Fire.

State Route 79 was closed at Sunrise Highway and Sunrise Highway was closed at Old Highway 80, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The fire's cause was under investigation, Cal Fire said.