SAN DIEGO — A brush fire spread dangerously close to homes Monday while charring about 20 open acres in a rural area south of El Cajon, prompting evacuations as ground and airborne crews worked to douse the flames.
The blaze, which caused no reported structural damage or injuries, erupted for unknown reasons about 1:30 p.m. off Millar Anita Lane and Millar Ranch Road, south of state Route 94 in the San Miguel area, according to Cal Fire.
Authorities evacuated people out of houses closest to the burn area and advised other nearby residents to shelter in place until crews could the get the flames under control, said Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots. A makeshift shelter for the evacuees was in operation at Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego, a movie multiplex on Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego.
As of 3:45 p.m. on Monday, August 12 firefighters, including personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, had halted the spread of the blaze, which came within a few hundred feet of some homes, Shoots said.
By 9 p.m. Monday, crews had the smoldering burn area 70% contained, Cal Fire reported. All evacuations have been lifted, Cal Fire announced shortly before 9 p.m.
The cause of the blaze remained under investigation in the late afternoon.
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WATCH RELATED: How to know when it's time to go during a wildfire:
Prepare for a Wildfire evacuation
CalFire has built a list of things to have ready in case you and your family are evacuated during any wildfire or disaster.
Ensure your wildfire ‘Go Bag’ includes:
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food & 3 gallons of water per person
- A map with at least 2 evacuation routes
- Necessary prescriptions or medications
- A change of clothes & extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
- Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks
- A first aid kit & sanitation supplies
- A flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
- Pet food & water
Always have sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed, ready for sudden night evacuations.
If time allows, consider adding:
- Valuables that are easy to carry
- Family photos and irreplaceable items
- Personal computer data on hard drives and disks
- Chargers for cell phones and laptops