ASSOCIATED PRESS

August 12, 2002

JULIAN – A wildfire that has destroyed dozens of homes and burned nearly 62,000 acres in eastern San Diego County was nearly fully contained, fire officials said Monday.

The Pines fire was 95 percent contained Monday morning and full containment was expected by 6 p.m., said California Department of Forestry spokeswoman Martie Perkins.

"`Whatever's still burning is basically just smoldering in the desert," she said.

Working the lines in the early afternoon were about 1,600 personnel equipped with 65 engines, 11 helicopters, nine air tankers, 38 water trucks and 16 bulldozers.

The fire began July 29 near the town of Julian.

A National Guard helicopter clipped power lines during a drug-interdiction flight. The helicopter was searching for marijuana plants.

About 40 firefighters suffered minor injuries from the blaze that officials said had claimed 37 homes, 116 outbuildings and 169 vehicles. The wildfire has wreaked in excess of $10 million in property damage.

The cost of fighting the blaze was estimated at more than $21 million.

Violent wind shifts thwarted crews' efforts to meet previous containment projections, the first of which was Aug. 4.

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations had been ordered for parts of Pine Hills, North Peak and other areas, but families were allowed to return to their homes over the weekend.