Multiple agencies quickly halted a brush fire burning along Interstate 805 near State Route 54 and Bonita Road Wednesday night.
The brush fire likely started in a homeless encampment near the Plaza Bonita Mall, along the I-805/SR-54 interchange, according to National City Fire's Mark Beverage.
A large response was sent to the fire, including crews with the Chula Vista, San Diego and National City fire departments.
A helicopter was also used to fight the fire. Beverage said just one water drop was needed.
“That actually took a lot of heat out of the fire for us," he said.
The fire never grew over more than a half-acre but crews would remain on scene to clean up the mess left behind by the blaze.
"The brush is very thick, very heavy; there's some big trees, and of course there's quite a bit of debris in there that we’re dealing with," Beverage added.
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The fire temporarily closed the on-ramp from Bonita Road to northbound I-805.
The fire broke out amid a Red Flag Warning that wasn't set to expire until 6 p.m. Thursday.
