CITY NEWS SERVICE: 12:57 p.m. - A brush fire consumed about 100 acres today in the Cleveland National Forest in the East County before crews halted the spread of the flames.
U.S. Forest Service firefighters, with help from Cal Fire and other nearby agencies, were battling the blaze, which broke out around 10:30 a.m. in an open area near El Capitan Reservoir and southeast of Ramona Country Estates.
Roxanne Provaznik of Cal Fire said four air tankers, four helicopters and four helitankers halted the spread of the flames, but there was no estimated time of containment. No structures were threatened, she said.
Flames burned down to the shore of the reservoir, but proximity to water gave the choppers a nearby place to refill after making drops.
The incident commander requested the large DC-10 air tanker to fly down from its base in Victorville, Provaznik said.
Noontime temperatures in that area of the East County were hovering around the century mark, according to the National Weather Service.
KPBSNEWS: 12:33 p.m. - The Mesa Fire near Ramona has burned between 80 and 100 acres. The spread of the fire has stopped, however there are no reports of containment.
Although no structures are in immediate danger, the fire is close to the Barona Mesa community. CAL FIRE has established a call center for concerned residents; the number is (619)590-3160.
CITY NEWS SERVICE: 11:32 a.m. - A brush fire quickly consumed 75 acres today in the Cleveland National Forest in the East County, but no structures were immediately threatened.
Cal Fire was assisting U.S. Forest Service firefighters to battle the blaze, which broke out around 10:30 a.m. in an open area near El Capitan reservoir and southeast of Ramona Country Estates.
Roxanne Provaznik of Cal Fire said four air tankers, four helicopters and four helitankers were helping fight the flames.
The incident commander requested the large DC-10 air tanker to fly down from its base in Victorville, Provaznik said.
