SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Cal Fire crews are battling a brush fire that erupted on Otay Mountain Thursday afternoon.
The fire, which has been named the “Border 2 Fire,” was reported after 2:15 p.m. in the area of Otay Mountain Truck Trail in the Otay Wilderness Area.
According to Cal Fire, it is currently 566 acres as of 7:09 p.m., but has a “dangerous rate” of spread. It remains 0% contained Thursday night.
The fire jumped from 350 to over 500 acres since 6:52 p.m.
More than 91 personnel have been dispatched from Cal Fire to the scene, including helicopters and other aircraft making drops overhead.
No structures are believed to be threatened at this time, although there are a few transmitters used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on top of the mountain and several structures at its base — including two detention centers.
The fire caused a massive plume of smoke to blow from the mountain. Due to the Santa Ana winds, the smoke appeared to be moving west, over Otay Mesa and Tijuana.
A smoke advisory has been issued by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District for communities in the southwest of the county. The smoke is expected to continue blowing west through Friday morning, the district adds, with winds weakening overnight.
“In areas where you smell smoke it is advised that you limit physical/outdoor activity,” the district said. “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.”
Around 6:23 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department announced the closure of Alta Road, located just south of Otay Mesa Road. The public is asked to avoid that area until further notice.
In a post on X, Chula Vista fire officials are monitoring the fire. While smoke is visible, they say it does not pose an immediate threat residents at this time, although residents are advised to take precaution going outside due to the smoke impacting air conditions.
“Extra officers are stationed around the city to monitor and assist if evacuations are needed. This is precautionary and not cause for alarm. Use 9-1-1 for emergencies only. For non-emergencies, call (619) 691-5151 or report online via ACT Chula Vista,” the City of Chula Visa said in a post on X at 6:14 p.m.
The city also closed all parks and recreation centers early Thursday over the air conditions.
The fire is one of two that sparked almost simultaneously at different parts of the county as high winds continue to lash the region. The second ignited in La Jolla, prompting emergency officials to issue evacuation orders for nearby areas. All orders have since been lifted.
Much of the county has been under a Red Flag Warning throughout the week for conditions that could create critical fire risk, given continued arid weather and Santa Ana winds.
According to the National Weather Service, wind speeds in the area of the Border 2 Fire were recorded of 28 miles per hour, with gusts up to 38 miles per hour. Meanwhile, relative humidity was placed around 6%.
Fire crews were quick to put out a number of potentially dangerous fires throughout the week, including several that burned outside the boundaries of the area under a Red Flag Warning. The pair of brush fires brought the total number of blazes to erupt to three on Thursday alone.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
