Updated 6:45 p.m.
A wildfire that blackened about 500 acres in northeastern San Diego County, jumping major roadways, threatening homes and forcing evacuations, was 100 percent contained Thursday, according to North County Fire.
The non-injury blaze, dubbed the Highway Fire, erupted for unknown reasons near State Route 76 and Old Highway 395 in the Deer Springs area about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Cal Fire reported.
Stretches of Interstate 15, Old Highway 395 and SR-76 were closed for several hours as crews battled the blaze.
No structural damage was reported.
Almost 600 households were contacted via a “reverse 911” system that urged residents to vacate their homes for safety’s sake, and a temporary shelter was established at Fallbrook High School. The evacuation order was lifted Wednesday night, according to Cal Fire.
–City News Service
