Crews making progress against Chariot Fire, now 40 percent contained

MOUNT LAGUNA (CNS) – Nearly 2,150 firefighters battled a back country
wildfire Wednesday that has blackened 7,055 acres and destroyed an estimated 120
structures, most of them campground cabins in the Mount Laguna area.

The blaze — dubbed the Chariot Fire — broke out for unknown reasons
just before 1 p.m. Saturday near Chariot Mountain and Butterfield Ranch,
according to Cal Fire, which reported that the blaze was 40 percent contained
as of Tuesday evening.

The state firefighting agency also reported that the fire has destroyed
an estimated 120 structures, many of them campground cabins, and left five
firefighters with heat exhaustion and other minor injuries. An additional 120
residences were threatened as of Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuations were in effect for the fourth consecutive day today.
Authorities cleared everyone out of 20 structures in the path of the flames
Sunday night and from 100 others the next morning.

The American Red Cross has been running an emergency shelter for the
displaced residents and campers at Joan MacQueen Middle School on Tavern Road
in Alpine.

Aiding Cal Fire in battling the blaze, handling evacuations and working
road closures were the U.S. Forest Service; California Highway Patrol and State
Parks; and San Diego County Fire Authority and Sheriff's Department.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.