Crime & Safety
Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations, Road Closure In Santee
Ground and airborne crews worked to extinguish the flames in the riverbed in Santee.
SANTEE, CA — A brush fire in the bed of the San Diego River prompted evacuations and a road closure Thursday afternoon in Santee.
The blaze broke out around noon near the intersection of Carlton Hills Boulevard and Carlton Oaks Drive, north of Mission Gorge Road, and north of the state Route 52 and Highway 125 junction. Crews worked to extinguish the flames on the ground and aboard water-dropping helicopters.
The fire blackened about 4 acres in the riverbed in the area of Mast Park before crews had the blaze under control shortly after 3:30 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Nearby homes were evacuated, sheriff's officials said. Carlton Hills Boulevard was closed between Carlton Oaks Drive and Mission Gorge Road. Authorities advised the public to avoid the area.
No structural damage or injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fire operations continue to impact the Mast Park area and may go well into the night. Continue to avoid the area due to road closures. @ Santee, California https://t.co/1FLfWeioWC
— SanteeFire (@SanteeFire) September 10, 2020
Big shout out to our local firefighters, police, and city employees who responded super fast to kick some butt on this fire. Thank you @SanteeFire @SDSheriff @heartlandfire @Santee_Lakes pic.twitter.com/LThalR73Gl
— Dan Howe (@Dan_in_SD) September 10, 2020
#santee Mast Park Fire - Happening Now #sandiego pic.twitter.com/Aqj150CHWl
— SD Fire Brigade (@sdfirebrigade) September 10, 2020
Now a fire in Santee?! Hopefully everyone is safe out there! #SanteeFire pic.twitter.com/lCdV3Brgpk
— FrijoleOLE (@Dparedes619) September 10, 2020
Carlton Oaks Plaza, Mast Park, The Shoppes at Carlton Hills and all other plazas on Carlton Hills Blvd between Mission Grove and Carlton Oaks have limited time no access right now. https://t.co/BA02whohg4
— Santee Chamber (@SanteeChamber) September 10, 2020
Firefighters, air crews, law enforcement now working a brush fire in Santee. Be extra cautious and watch out for road closures in immediate area. https://t.co/aoFu0h2nPx
— Dianne Jacob (@dianne_jacob) September 10, 2020
City News Service contributed to this report.
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