All 36,000 residents of Ramona were ordered to evacuate tonight because of a wind-driven brush fire in northeast San Diego County that has scorched at least 5,000 acres.
The blaze, which sent choking smoke through much of North County, was reported about 12:40 p.m. at Deer Canyon and Julian roads in the Witch Creek area, according to California Highway Patrol.
All of Ramona, an unincorporated town of about 36,000 residents, was under a mandatory evacuation order, according to sheriff's Lt. Phillip Brust.
The Sheriff's Department is notifying more than 10,000 households by phone to leave their homes.
Evacuees were asked to go to Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road or Escondido High School, 1535 N. Broadway, according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
All Ramona Unified School District schools will be closed tomorrow due to the so-called Witch fire, district officials said.
Evacuations were also being carried out in the Witch Creek area, Old Julian Highway and San Diego Country Estates, according to Cal Fire.
Highway 78 in the area of the fire was closed, as was Old Julian Highway between Ramona and Santa Ysabel.
Highway 79, north of the reservation, was also closed and traffic was being re-routed to Highway 76.
An evacuation center was set up for displaced residents at Poway High School at 15500 Espola Road. If necessary, it will become an overnight shelter, said American Red Cross spokeswoman Gayle Falkenthal.
