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NewsTimes of San DiegoJuly 31, 2026San Diego

Grade Fire: 170-Acre Wildfire Near Lake Henshaw

A wildfire named the Grade Fire has burned 170 acres in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Henshaw, prompting evacuation orders and road closures. Over 300 firefighters are currently working to contain the blaze, which began Friday afternoon.

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Read the full story at Times of San Diego

Why It Matters

Residents in the North County area near Lake Henshaw face immediate evacuation orders, road closures, and smoke advisories that impact local travel and air quality.

Key Facts

  • The Grade Fire has burned 170 acres as of 6 p.m. Friday.
  • Over 300 firefighters are on the scene.
  • Immediate evacuation orders are in effect for sections of Fink Road, East Grade Road, and Henshaw Road.
  • An evacuation warning is in effect for an additional area.
  • The official evacuation point is Harrah’s Casino at 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way.
  • East Grade Road at Highway 76 is closed.
  • The fire began around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
  • Resources deployed include nine engines, two hand crews, two water tenders, four air tankers, and two helicopters.
  • A smoke advisory is in effect for northeastern San Diego, including Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs.
  • One structure is currently under threat.

Who's Mentioned

location777 Pauma Reservation Rd“Address of evacuation point”locationEast Grade Road“Closed due to fire”other76“Highway number”organizationCalFire“Lead fire response agency”locationLake Henshaw“Geographic reference point”personDaniel Lanari“Cleveland National Forest spokesperson”organizationUSDA Forest Service“Lead fire response agency”other170“Acres burned”organizationSan Diego County Air Pollution Control District“Issued smoke advisory”other777“Street number for evacuation point”locationHenshaw Road“Subject to evacuation orders”locationCleveland National Forest“Location of the fire”locationRoute 76“Geographic reference point”organizationSan Diego County Sheriff’s Office“Issuing evacuation orders”locationFink Road“Subject to evacuation orders”other300“Number of firefighters”organizationSan Diego County Sheriff“Issued safety statement”locationCasino Pauma“Designated evacuation point”locationHarrah’s Casino“Evacuation point location”