Cocos Fire reaches 100% containment at 1,995 acres

(UPDATE Fri., May 23, 8 a.m.)

Cal Fire has reported that the Cocos Fire is now 100% contained at 1,995 acres. Last cost estimate over $6.2 million.

(UPDATE, Tues., May 20, 9 a.m.)

Authorities have just reported that the Cocos Fire in San Marcos is now 93% contained and the cost is estimated currently at $6,208,443.

(UPDATE, Mon. May 19, 8:15 a.m.)

Officials have just reported that the Cocos Fire in San Marcos is now 89% contained and the cost is currently estimated at over $5.7 million.

(PREVIOUS STORY)

An evacuation order some San Marcos-area residents was lifted today as firefighters got the upper hand on a wildfire that charred more than 2,500 acres and destroyed 36 homes and one commercial building. The cost of the fire thus far has been estimated at over $4.2 million.

The Cocos Fire began near Cocos Drive about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday amid gusty winds, record-high triple-digit temperatures and extremely dry ground cover, was about 70 percent contained

this evening. Crews expect to have the blaze fully contained Sunday, according to Cal Fire, which reported that most of the active flames had been doused.

Eleven single-family homes in the unincorporated area just outside San Marcos and 25 structures at the Harmony Grove Spiritual Association have been destroyed, along with a single-family home within the City of San Marcos.

Two other homes outside city limits were damaged, according to county officials.

Fire officials said today that residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return home -- with the exception of those in the Coronado Hills community. The remainder of the evacuation orders are expected to be lifted Sunday evening.

Harmony Grove Spiritual Association residents are allowed back with proof of residency. Country Club Road south of Harmony Grove remained closed to non-residents, fire officials said.

Earlier today, sheriff's officials said some residents who had been evacuated from neighborhoods on the east side of San Marcos had been allowed to return home, including those living north of Barham Drive, east of Twin Oaks Valley Road and west of South Hill Street and those in the unincorporated Del

Dios corridor near Lake Hodges.

Residents of the Lake San Marcos area were allowed back in their homes Friday, and evacuation notices were rescinded for communities south of state Route 78 and west of Twin Oaks Valley Road through the San Elijo community, sheriff's officials reported.

For those still under evacuation orders, an emergency shelter remained open at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos.

The following road closings remained in effect tonight:

-- Bella Vita Way at Attebury Drive;

-- Coronado Hills Drive at Via Del Campo;

-- Bresa De Loma Drive at Crestwind Drive.

The Cocos Fire was one of nearly a dozen major brush fires to break out

in San Diego County since Tuesday. As other fires died down, authorities designated the Cocos Fire as their main priority Thursday morning.

Cal State San Marcos was evacuated shortly after the fire started and this weekend's commencement ceremonies have been pushed back a week, according to university officials.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.