A fast-moving brush fire prompted evacuations Wednesday in rural North County a few miles east of Interstate 15, but fire crews were able to quickly halt the blaze, authorities said.
The fire erupted mid-morning near Rainbow Crest Road in Fallbrook and was burning in a steep, rocky area as crews battled the flames from the ground and the air, Cal Fire San Diego Capt. Mike Cornette said.
Firefighters were able to stop the forward spread of the flames by about 12:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire San Diego and the North County Fire Protection District. Officials initially estimated the blaze had charred 50 acres, but later revised that figure down to 35 acres.
The fire broke out amid temperatures in the high 80s. Less than three hours after crews halted the blaze, a second, larger fire broke out about 40 miles south in Ramona.
A brush fire that erupted in Rainbow prompted evacuations in rural North County on Wednesday. (Alert California)
The fire near Fallbrook prompted evacuations from Rainbrook Drive east almost to Pala Temecula Road. Areas west of Rainbrook were placed under an evacuation warning and a temporary evacuation site was set up at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook.
By about 3 p.m., authorities had lifted the evacuation order and warning “due to improved containment.”
While the blaze was still burning, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory the areas around Rainbow, Pala and Pauma Valley, saying residents should assume that air quality levels would be unhealthy.