A fast-growing brush fire Wednesday afternoon in Ramona forced evacuations as it pushed through steep, rocky terrain toward a large master-planned community, although hours later officials expressed optimism about getting it under control.
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The blaze, dubbed the Creelman fire, started on Creelman Lane just west of the Simon County Reserve around 3 p.m., Cal Fire officials said. It quickly spread, at one point trapping two people behind flames. A Cal Fire helicopter was able to land, load the pair and whisk them to safety.
The fire grew to nearly 350 acres as it lapped at the edge of San Diego Country Estates, a community of about 5,000 homes. Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said firefighters were “actively engaged in structure defense.”
“We’ve got fire engines patrolling through the neighborhood making sure that we are putting out any spot fires and trying to contain that fire and prevent it from entering into any of those homes,” Cornette said.
Cal Fire mapping indicates the fire footprint had reached close to homes along Oak Springs Road on the western edge of Country Estates.
No injuries have been reported, and fire officials said at least one structure, an accessory dwelling unit, had been destroyed. By evening, crews had contained about 20% of the fire.
Cornette said dropping fire retardant helped to significantly slow the fire’s spread. “Now firefighters actually have a chance to get in there and be able to put the water on the fire and construct control lines around it,” the captain said.
Two helicopters capable of nightwork were expected to continue making drops after sundown, which Cal Fire officials said would allow them to “tak(e) advantage of cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and reduced fire activity.” Firefighters would also build containment lines through the night.
Cornette said winds had been “probably the main influence” on spreading the fire in the early stages. Winds in the area were between 20 to 25 mph out of the west, according to the National Weather Service, and temperatures in Ramona were in the mid-80s Wednesday afternoon.
The fire comes as the region sweats under a dome of high pressure, with heat expected to increase this week.
Photos: Creelman fire
Evacuations were ordered for neighborhoods north of San Vicente Road, west of Arena Way, south of Old Julian Highway and east of Griffith Road, according to online Genasys mapping. Warnings also were issued for communities around Gem Lane and Hanson Lane.
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The Red Cross opened an overnight shelter at Olive Peirce Middle School. Ramona Rodeo took in horses and other large animals that had been evacuated.
Traffic clogged the area as thoroughfare roads closed, including San Vicente Road at both Wildcat Canyon Road and Warnock Drive. Old Julian Road at Vista Ramona Road was also closed.
Dozens of people were at a temporary evacuation center at Ramona High School early Wednesday evening. Some sat in their cars as they waited and hoped to soon be allowed home, others played in the grass with their kids or walked their dogs.
Phyllis Neilson, a resident at San Diego Country Estates since 1973, said she was at home when her neighbor told her about the fire. As she evacuated, she saw large flames coming down a hill near the community.
“When firefighters tell me to get out of Dodge, I get out of there,” Neilson said.
Neilson said her late husband was a firefighter, and the couple had gone through massive fire evacuations in 2003 and 2007. Now, she said, she always has packed emergency bags ready to go. She took her bag and her dog and left everything else behind. “Like my husband always told me, everything else is just stuff.”
John Tibbott, a 30-year-resident of San Diego Country Estates, said he was heading home from a hike with his dog, Bodie, when he learned of the fire. His wife remained at their home as he waited to be allowed to return.
“I feel like my home is safe,” Tibbot said. “I was heading home, but instead I just went to dinner and enjoyed it.”
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District declared a smoke advisory for eastern San Diego County. County officials noted winds were moderate and blowing the smoke east. Overnight winds were expected to be light and variable.
“If you are near the affected communities and smell smoke it is advised that you limit physical/outdoor activity. If possible, stay indoors to limit your exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially those residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children,” the advisory said.
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Staff writer Sydney Brammer contributed to this report.
