The California Highway Patrol has shut down state Route 67 in both directions near Ramona as fire crews mop up a brush fire that sparked around noon Monday, officials said.
Caltrans posted on X shortly after 12:30 p.m. that the road would be closed between Dye Road and Hope St due to firefighting activity.
Cal Fire spokesperson Mike Cornette said the fire burned in a grassy riparian area south of SR-67 and west of Etcheverry Street before forward progress was halted shortly before 12:45 p.m.
Fire officials sent two helicopters and two air tankers to quench the flames, which briefly threatened Hanson Elementary School on Boundary Avenue. Staff and students self-evacuated the campus, although no official evacuation order or warning was issued, Cornette said.
The fire was stopped after it charred around 7 acres of brush, he said. Firefighters will remain in the area to mop up and ensure it doesn’t reignite.