San Diego

100-Acre Brush Fire East of MCAS Miramar Fully Contained

Neighbors nearby in Scripps Ranch said they are ready to evacuate if necessary

The brush fire that was burning east of the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar was fully contained Saturday evening, the base said.

The fire started just after 3 p.m. Friday, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

By 4:45 p.m. the fire was 25 acres and 0 percent contained and an hour later the base said the fire grew to 100 but its forward rate of spread had been stopped.

By 8:30 p.m., crews had 25 percent containment on the flames.

As of 6 p.m. Saturday, the fire was 100 percent contained, according to MCAS Miramar.

Firefighters used helicopters to pour water onto the flames. Neighbors nearby on Via Santa Vienta said Friday it was concerning to look at. 

"I'm seeing emergency vehicles, the lights are flashing on them, I can see smoke," said Kanchan Corella, who has lived in the area for the last three years. "With this heat and the wind at this point, I hope the embers don't come this way." 

Corella said with multiple fires burning, he's ready to evacuate in an instant if he has to.

"I have my car packed with my essentials, identification papers and clothes and I'm ready to go whenever we're given the word to leave." 

The fire was also visible to some residents in Santee to the southeast.

A San Diego Gas & Electric camera positioned on Cowles Mountain facing north showed white smoke in the valley of an open space with few visible structures nearby.

MCAS Miramar said no structures were threatened.

Miramar and SDFD crews were expected to fight the fire overnight.

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