Pasqual Fire Burns 240 Acres, Prompts Evacuations, Closes SR-78

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – A rapidly-spreading fire sparked Friday in San Pasqual Valley, scorching hundreds of acres, prompting evacuations, threatening structures and forcing the closure of state Route 78.

The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. along SR-78, east of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the 17000 block of San Pasqual Valley Road, according to Cal Fire. Within 90 minutes, the blaze, called the Pasqual Fire, had burned an estimated 225 acres.

By 4:30 p.m., the fire had scorched 240 acres and was 5 percent contained, Cal Fire officials said. The fire was moving in a southeast direction. Crews from Cal Fire, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Cleveland National Forest and other agencies were fighting the flames from the ground and the air. San Diego Gas & Electric's Aircrane was also sent to support the firefighting efforts.

By 7:30 p.m., crews had stopped forward progress of the flames, fire officials said.

Authorities issued an evacuation order for the following streets in the area: Rangeland Road, Oak Grove Road, Highland Hills Drive, Horizon View, Rio Maggiore Drive, Cinque Terre Drive, Corniglia Drive, Via Cuesta, Via Vista Grande, Prestige Street, Rancho Villa Road, Weekend Villa Road, Day Star Way and Rustic Villa Road.

The evacuation order was later lifted for residents on SR-78 from Weekend Villa to Havorford, Weekend Villa, Rancho Villa and Quest Road, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuees were directed to Ramona High School at 1401 Hanson Lane in Ramona.

Administrators at San Pasqual Academy, a school for foster teens near the origin point of the fire, decided on their own to evacuate the campus, police said.

SR-78, which is also San Pasqual Valley Road, remained shut down between Weekend Villa and Bandy Canyon Road.

There were no reports of structural damage or injuries.

This is a developing story. Refresh for the latest.

Image via Cal Fire San Diego