NEW: At Least 30 Homes Lost in Valley Fire as Containment Efforts Continue

Cal Fire Thursday morning reported the burned area of the Japatul area Valley Fire was 32-percent contained but updated the number of homes that have been destroyed.

Officials say at least 30 homes have been destroyed along with at least 29 minor structures. The fire has burned at least 17,665 acres.

The fire broke out amid temperatures as high as 113 degrees and gusty winds at times. It was first reported shortly after 2:30pm Saturday in Japatul Valley off Spirit Trail and Japatul Road, southeast of Alpine. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

An evacuation center has been set up at Steele Canyon High School. The San Diego Humane Society says there is an evacuation site for horses at the Lakeside Rodeo Arena. Get more information at Ready San Diego dot org.

Military Helping

Cal Fire has had help from the Navy 3rd Fleet and the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force with military aircraft on the fire. They joined multiple air and ground resources from Cal Fire in fighting the fire including SDG&E's Sky Maverick helicopter that has made numerous water drops to extinguish flames. The County is hosting Navy and Cal Fire aircraft at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. SEE VIDEO BELOW.

(Photo reporting partner 10News) .


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