A brush fire in a creek bed near Black Mountain Open Space Park prompted evacuations of nearby homes Thursday afternoon while ground and airborne crews worked to douse the flames.
The blaze erupted for unknown reasons shortly before 3 p.m. off the 15000 block of Dove Creek Road in 4S Ranch.
Administrators at nearby Oak Valley Middle School had students and staffers remain indoors as the flames spread through thick vegetation in open areas a short distance away.
The students were then evacuated and taken by bus to Westview High School's gym, Poway Unified School District said on Twitter. The tweet also said that "parents need to head there."
Del Norte High School said in a tweet: "No danger presently to our students."
Authorities directed residents of some homes along Palomino Valley Road to evacuate as a precaution, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District spokeswoman Julie Taber said.
As of 4:34 p.m., evacuations have been lifted as ground and helicopter personnel had the roughly five-acre burn area roughly 90 percent contained, according to Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District.
There were no reports of injuries or structural damage.
