The Coast Guard posted a photo on social media showing the stranded sailor standing near a patch of blackened brush in which he had scratched \"SOS\" in the dirt.
The wildfire at last word was 44% contained after growing to nearly 17,554 acres, according to Cal Fire.
The Tusil Fire, burning in San Diego County, had spread to over 800 acres and had also forced evacuations on the Campo Reservation, according to Cal Fire.
The wildfire, which started on Tuesday, was 73% contained on Thursday.
\"Fire activity moderated overnight, allowing firefighters to strengthen containment lines and continue making progress toward full containment,\" Cal Fire said in an update on Wednesday.
At least one structure was damaged by the fire, which also shut down the Interstate 8 freeway in both directions in the fire zone on Wednesday, according to Cal Fire. The California Highway Patrol said on Wednesday morning that one lane in each direction of the freeway had been reopened.
One structure was damaged by the fire and some evacuation orders remain in effect, according to Cal Fire.
ABC News' Amanda Morris, Jenna Harrison and Vanessa Navarete contributed to this report.
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