Evacuations were ordered Wednesday for homes in Rainbow that were threatened by a brush fire.
The fire erupted for unknown reasons just before 10:30 a.m. in a remote area near Rainbow Crest Road and grew to about 50 acres within an hour, according to fire crew communications.
Cal Fire told NBC 7 about 10 homes were threatened by the blaze. An evacuation order, meaning residents should leave immediately, and an evacuation warning were issued in the area. See an evacuation map here.
Fire crews have the homes surrounded for protection, Cal Fire Captain Mike Cornette said.
An evacuation point was established at Fallbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on 1200 Old Hwy 395 in Fallbrook.
Crews were tackling the fire from the ground and the air. The terrain in the area is steep and rocky, making the firefight difficult, according to Cornette. The terrain is also influencing the fire’s spread.
Cal Fire shared a photo of firefighting efforts at the Rainbow Fire on July 22, 2026. (Cal Fire)
This is a developing story. Details may change as information is released.