Firefighters are fighting a brush fire that broke out on Friday night on the steep hillside of Pala, prompting the evacuation of northern San Diego County.
According to the California Forestry and Fire Department, the fire, known as the Henderson Fire, broke out near Henderson Road and Para Mission Road, about 5:45 p.m. and burned 183 acres of land in two hours.
According to California Fire, evacuation orders have been issued for surrounding hillside communities. The evacuation warning is also valid in areas of Riverside County north of the San Diego County line.
A temporary evacuation site is set up in the Pala Casino parking lot.
“It burns in the grass areas that start to enter the rolling hills and very mountainous areas,” Captain Thomas Shooting told the San Diego United Tribune. “The fire is going up faster, and the goal is to keep it away from the hillside.”
The shooting told the media that initial reactions to the fire included aircraft and more than 100 firefighters.
According to Cal Fire, as of 8:45 p.m., the fire contained 5% and most of the activity came from the eastern side.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the Henderson Road along Henderson Road, Pala Mission Road, Pala Mission Road and Magee Road are blocked along Henderson Road.
Saturday’s weather could challenge crew members’ efforts to contain the fire. The National Weather Service is expected to reach up to 91 degrees, with winds reaching 25 mph in the area.
