Fire Rages Near Barrett Junction

The season’s first big brush fire struck near the U.S.-Mexico border Monday, scorching at least 850 acres, threatening structures and disrupting phone service, the California Department of Forestry said.

More than 400 firefighters battled the blaze that began about 11:45 a.m. near Barrett Junction and California 94 in southeast San Diego County, said Carol Stein, a forestry spokeswoman.

Two firefighters suffered heat exhaustion, but no other injuries were reported as of Monday evening, she said.

Nearby structures were in jeopardy, but it was not immediately known if homes were threatened, Stein said. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, but was being called “suspicious.�

Within an hour of the fire being reported, three helicopters, six air tankers and a bulldozer were called in to assist ground crews. The fire was not close to being contained as of Monday evening.

About 2,100 residences and businesses between Campo and Jacumba lost telephone service about 1:30 p.m. because the fire burned phone cables, said Tom McNaghten, a spokesman for Pacific Bell. Utility crews will not be able to repair the cables until the fire is out, he said.

At 1 p.m., the California Highway Patrol closed Barrett Smith Road at the forestry department’s request. Only residents of the area were allowed through, the highway patrol said. California 94 remained open.