Border 18 fire contained; target shooting blamed for blaze

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Firefighters have fully contained a brush fire that broke out near the U.S.-Mexico border Saturday afternoon and have already found the cause.

San Diego County Fire and Cal Fire Firefighters were able to contain the Border 18 brush fire by 1 p.m. Sunday after it broke out Saturday around 2 p.m. in steep and rocky terrain in a remote area off Marron Valley Road south of the community of Dulzura and Highway 94.

Cal Fire on Sunday said the fire burned a total of 61 acres and fire investigators were able to find the fire was caused from target shooting. "When recreational target shooting, please take steps to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire."

There is a nearby shooting range off Marron Valley Rd in Dulzura, but Cal Fire did not confirm where exactly the fire originated.

Target shooting safety: Cal Fire

• Shoot in areas free of dry brush and avoid shooting on hot and windy days
• Shooting at steel targets or rocks can spark fires. Use paper targets or clay pigeons
• Keep a shovel, fire extinguisher and extra water in case of a fire

For more wildfire safety tips, visit readyforwildfire.org.