The fire broke out around 12:30 on Wedesday off of Highway 78 between Ramona and Julian. Crews are battling the fire which has burned over 156 acres so far, but is currently 0% contained, according to CalFire.
UPDATE: 3:30pm - over 200 firefighters helped to extinguish the fire and Cal Fire reports that they have stopped its spread. 180 acres were burned.
SR-78-E is closed at Old Julian Highway, and the San Diego Sherriff Department has issued an evacuation notice for residents of of Rancho Bellena Road and areas nearby. Evacuees can go to Olive Pierce Middles School at 1521 Hanson Lane.
“It’s very rural,” Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots told FOX 5. “Lots and lots to burn up there. A lot of grass, a lot of brush and pretty scarce homes but it does start to get into some more of the populated areas if this fire continues to burn.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the region's dry vegetation is a challenge for firefitghters.