UPDATE: 6:45 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020
Firefighters working to douse remaining hot spots at the site of a wind-whipped brush fire that destroyed one home and damaged six others in a neighborhood near El Cajon had the 30-acre burn area fully contained Thursday evening.
The non-injury blaze erupted for unknown reasons next to a home in the 2800 block of Willow Glen Drive in Rancho San Diego about 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Cal Fire.
Driven by strong, arid Santa Ana winds, the flames raced up to the top of an adjacent hill, where they gutted a residence and damaged six others, said Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots.
Sheriff's deputies cleared residents out of houses on more than a dozen surrounding streets as ground and airborne crews battled the blaze, dubbed the Willow Fire.
Firefighters had the spread of the blaze halted by shortly before 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
Despite the dry, gusty conditions, the personnel were able to get a handle on the fire because it was "boxed in" by residential streets, Shoots said.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation.
Original Story:
A brush fire in the unincorporated Rancho San Diego area near El Cajon burned 30 acres and was 50% contained Thursday morning after destroying one home and damaging six others, authorities said.
The fire was reported at about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 2800 block of Willow Glen Drive and precautionary evacuations were underway for residents in the 2500 block of Wind River Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
At about 1:20 a.m., Cal Fire San Diego reported the fire's spread had been stopped at 25 acres and the blaze was 5% contained.
RELATED: What You Need To Know If There’s A Wildfire
As of 8 a.m., the blaze was 50% contained and had burned roughly 30 acres, Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots said. The blaze, dubbed the Willow Fire, damaged six structures and destroyed one home.
Firefighters were able to get a handle on the fire because it was "boxed in" by the roads and residential communities in the area where it sparked, Shoots said.
At around 3:45 a.m., the sheriff's department announced that all evacuation orders had been lifted for the area impacted by the wildfire. Those areas included:
—Brabham Street
—Wind River Road
—Lime Rock
—Sonnet Street
—Bridgehampton Place
—Concours Court
—Jarama Court
—Aspen Lane
—Seca Street
—Sawgrass Street
—Sea Pines Road
—Congressional Drive
—Wingfoot Place
—Augusta Court
Authorities initially shut down Willow Glenn Drive between Steel Canyon Road and Hillsdale Drive, but it was reopened by 8 a.m.
No injuries were immediately reported and details about what sparked the blaze were not immediately available.
Emergency Supply Checklist
–Three-day supply of nonperishable food and three gallons of water per person.
– Map marked with at least two evacuation routes.
– Prescriptions or special medications.
– Change of clothing.
– Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.
– An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks.
– First aid kit.
– Flashlight.
– Battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
– Sanitation supplies.
– Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
– Don't forget pet food and water!
Source: CAL FIRE
