Updates in Cutca Fire on Palomar Mountain

The fire has grown to 167 acres, officials say

Firefighters are monitoring hot spots in the Cutca Fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest near Palomar Observatory.

The fire that broke out Friday afternoon has burned 167 acres in steep inaccessible terrain along a canyon about two miles north of the internationally known observatory.

Aircraft will continue to fly over the area as crews not only mop up but keep an eye on those hot spots.

Officials say they have achieved 50 percent containment. No structures were threatened as of Monday morning. Campgrounds remained open.

A U.S. Forest Service news release said cooler temps were expected Monday.

β€œIn the fire area there is no previously recorded fire history, fuels remain critically dry due to drought conditions,” officials said in the written release.

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A wildfire burned 200 acres on Palomar Mountain on July 24, 2015. NBC 7’s Danya Bacchus reports.
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