A fast-moving wildfire spread over brushy hillsides and ravines east of the Barona Casino Wednesday, scorching dozens of acres, threatening back-country homes and forcing some residents to evacuate.
The blaze erupted for unknown reasons off Wildcat Canyon Road and Akuunyaa Way in the Lakeside area shortly before 5 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
By 9 p.m. the wind-driven flames had scorched roughly 150 acres and were 10 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
San Diego County Sheriff‘s Department deputies earlier cleared the occupants out of seven homes in the southeastern reaches of Barona Indian Reservation and advised them to wait out the blaze at the nearby casino said Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser.
No structural damage or injuries had been reported as of shortly before 6:30 p.m., sheriff’s Lt. Robert Smith said.
Crews were battling the blaze, dubbed the Wildcat Fire, on the ground and aboard four air tankers and five water-dropping helicopters, Bortisser said.
Authorities closed Wildcat Canyon Road between San Vicente Road and Barona Casino until further notice.
— City News Service
