Brush Fire Sparked Near I-15

A fire sparked up in Southcrest Wednesday afternoon near SR15, forcing the closure of a major connector in the area.

Officers shut down the connector to the I-5 from the SR15 just after noon, according to a Sig Alert issued by the California Highway Patrol.

By 1 p.m. firefighters had knocked down the flames, and the Sig Alert in the area was canceled.

The fire was located in brush about 200 feet from the freeway on the right shoulder. Reports described heavy white smoke from the fire, which may limit visibility on the 15.

The brush fire was the third in the last two days -- one fire near Balboa Park Wednesday morning, and another near Mission Valley Tuesdayy afternoon.

The fires are proof of what Cal Fire is already calling a very dangerous fire season, with nearly three times the number of fires compared to last year.

Check back for more details on this developing story.