Caesar Fire: Quick Facts as of 6:30 p.m. Monday
- Location: SR-78 and Ramona Trails Drive
- Size: 50 acres
- Spread: 50% contained
- Evacuations: Those already evacuated can return home. Evacuation orders remain in place for residents of Ramona Trails Drive, Sunset Oaks Drive and Caesar Drive; an evacuation center is open at 1521 Hanson Lane.
- Road Closures: SR-78 at Magnolia Avenue remains closed, open for residents only
San Diego County firefighters stopped the spread of a brush fire east of Ramona that was forcing some to evacuate Monday afternoon.
The fire started at about 11:45 a.m. on the north side of state Route 78 near Ramona Trails Drive in the Witch Creek area and was quickly 20- to 30-acres large and threatening structures, Cal Fire San Diego said.
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By 1 p.m., the fire was estimated to be about 50 acres but crews were able to stop its forward rate of spread, Cal Fire spokesperson Thomas Shoots said. Around 6 p.m., firefighters had contained the flames to 50% and continued mopping up, extending containment and removing retardant from homes and property.
Video from SkyRanger 7 just before 1:30 p.m. showed a swath of scorched earth streaked by pink fire retardant. Little smoke was visible and the fire appeared to be out. The outline of the fire appeared to burn close to several structures, but it was not immediately clear if there was any damage.
Local
When the fire started, Cal Fire urged those in the area to evacuate immediately, Cal Fire said. An evacuation point was set up at Olive Pierce Middle School located at 1521 Hanson Lane. A shelter for animals was set up at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds located at 421 Aqua Lane.
"There's concern the fire may spread to nearby homes, so be prepared to evacuate if a notification is made in your area or deputies tell you to go," the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said in an earlier Tweet.
An evacuation warning was sent to people in the area north of SR-78, east of Pamo Road, West of Caesar Drive and South of Burma Road, the County Office of Emergency Services said. The warning means evacuations are voluntary but residents in the area should be prepared to leave if an order is issued. Those with disabilities, with access of functional needs, and/or large animals should leave now, the county said.
The fire shut down SR-78 in both directions from Magnolia Avenue to Southerland Dam Road in Ramona. As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, Cal Fire said SR-78 between Magnolia Avenue and SR-79 was still closed. Drivers were urged to find alternate routes. It was not clear when the roadway would reopen.
At least 5 firefighters suffered minor injuries in the fire, Shoots said. Three were transported to area hospitals and all incidents are believed to be heat-related.
The cause of the fire was not known.
This is a developing story. We will update as soon as new details become available.
