Update: Chariot Fire Grows to 2,500 Acres; Campgrounds Evacuated

Originally posted 9:58 a.m. Sunday. Updated 2:10 p.m.

A fire southeast of Julian near Chariot Canyon blackened about 2,500 acres, and firefighters had the blaze about 10 percent contained Sunday, 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.

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 was setting 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.

-City News Service