Evacuation orders lifted for Miller Fire

VALLEY CENTER (CNS) - Evacuation orders issued because of a wildfire that swept through a neighborhood in Valley Center were lifted today, Cal Fire San Diego said.

“Access to Coyote Run and Rabbit Run will be limited to residents only and fire crews will remain at scene throughout the day,” the California Public Information Office posted on Twitter a little after 10 a.m.

Containment of a wind-driven wildfire that blackened 37 acres, destroyed a home and forced evacuations increased to 70% this morning.

“Crews will remain at the scene throughout the day to continue mopping up and containing the fire,” according to a statement from Cal Fire.

The blaze broke out for unknown reasons about 1 p.m. Friday amid hot, arid and gusty Santa Ana conditions in the area of Cole Grade Road and Miller Lane, about three miles west of Harrah's Resort Southern California, Cal Fire said.

Within 90 minutes, the flames had scorched about 10 acres as crews battled the flames on the ground and from firefighting helicopters and airplanes, the state agency reported. The blaze, dubbed the “Miller Fire,” destroyed one home and three outbuildings while spreading through heavy vegetation between residences south of Valley Center High School, officials said.

As crews worked to corral the flames, deputies cleared residents out of homes on various roads in the area, including Ava Lane, Cole Grade Road, Cole Grade Lane, Cool Valley Road, Coyote Run, Little Quail Run, Puma Trail, Saddleback Road, Villa Sierra Road and Wilhite Lane. Authorities also closed Cole Grade Road to through-traffic at Miller Lane, Oak Glen Place and Valley Center Road.

By about 7:45 p.m. Friday, evacuation orders were in effect for all of Terrace View Lane, the area west of Cool Valley Highlands Road, and the area north of Puma Trail.

An evacuation center for those displaced by the fire was established at Valley Center Community Hall, 28246 Lilac Road. That shelter was closed when the American Red Cross opened a shelter at 9 p.m. at 28102 N. Lake Wohlford Road in Valley Center.

The blaze erupted shortly after crews halted the spread of a fast- moving wildfire that scorched nearly 100 open acres east of Ramona. That blaze was 70% contained as of 8 a.m., according to Cal Fire.

The causes of both fires were unclear.