Fire Threatened Torrey Hills Neighborhood

Firefighters got the call about a grass fire burning just east of the Interstate 5/ Interstate 805 split came out just before 3:30 a.m.

Crews were initially concerned homes in Torrey Hills could be at risk however no one had to evacuate.

Four engines responded along with three brush rigs with a water tender. Copter One helped the crews navigate the fire from up above.

There were good access roads allowing firefighters to get a good position and they were able to put the fire out after it had burned about 1.5 acres along the hillside.

Crews protected the homes on top of the hill and the battalion chief said it was fortunate the homes had about a 100-foot clearance behind them and that helped keep the fire a safe distance away.

This morning there were light winds, moderate fuel and things could have been much worse.

“Don’t always count on the weather especially with moisture in the air to say that the wildland fire or the grass fire is not going to move as fast as they are ,” said Battalion Chief David Pinkerton with San Diego Fire Rescue.

The situation was challenging because of the hillside, the power lines and the fact that this area hasn't burned in a long time.

“Our fuel moisture is real low and this area in particular hasn’t burned in probably two or three years where most of the fires in this area have actually burned which is just south of here in the bottom of the drainage ditch or flood control channel,” said Pinkerton.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.