SoCal Wildfire Destroys 20 Homes, Threatens More

CAMPO, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters say a fire that killed an elderly man who refused to evacuate and burned 20 homes in rural San Diego County is smoldering right now, but gusty winds could push it back to life.

The blaze in the Campo area near the Mexican border has burned about 4 square miles of hilly brushland. About 25 homes remain threatened Tuesday morning.

Fire spokesman Andy Menshek says about 80 people are under evacuation orders. He says the fire is only smoldering, but winds are picking up and there could be 40-mph gusts in the afternoon.

On Monday, authorities recovered the body of a man from a home. Officials say he ignored evacuation orders. Neighbors tell U-T San Diego that he was 82 and had one leg.