Brush Fire in Valley Center Prompts Evacuations

UPDATE: 3:42 p.m., Oct. 25, 2019

A brush fire that ignited Friday afternoon in Valley Center has burned at least one home and is threatening others, according to preliminary reports from Cal Fire.

The fire, centered in an area near Cole Grade Road and Miller Lane, has grown to more than 37 acres and is burning in an area with a lot of natural fuels. The fire is 20% contained and moving at a moderate rate, according to Cal Fire. Residents in the area are under evacuation orders.

Thomas Shoots with Cal Fire says the winds are coming from the east and pushing the fire to the west. This fire comes after another that broke out in Ramona early this morning. The Ramona fire has impacted over 90 acres and is about 15% contained.

Shoots said the conditions are not as windy in Valley Center as they are in other areas of the county.

"But, if it's still burning pretty good, and we will have a huge challenge in front of us," Shoots said.

Cal Fire isn't yet strapped for resources, Shoots said. But that could change.

"If this thing gets up and moving it will definitely be a resource situation for us," he said. Shoots says officials have been using SDG&E helicopters, in addition to their own.