Two brush fires — one in San Marcos and another in Encinitas — threatened homes Sunday night and early Monday morning.
San Marcos fire
A brush fire that engulfed two vehicles came close to homes in San Marcos overnight Sunday, prompting a multiagency response.
The fire was reported at around midnight on Esplendido Avenue, near Companero Avenue.
Responding crews discovered two cars ablaze and a fire that was rapidly spreading through surrounding vegetation and threatening four nearby homes, Cal Fire said.
It took about 45 minutes for Cal Fire, Vista and San Marcos firefighters to bring the fire under control. The effort was made more difficult by the rough terrain and thick brush. A San Diego County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was overhead but was unable to make water drops.
No homes were damaged and there were no serious injuries, although one firefighter reportedly suffered a broken finger. No residents were evacuated.
Cal Fire is investigating the cause of the fire and where it started.
Encinitas fire
A brush fire threatened several homes in Encinitas Sunday night.
The blaze broke out around 7:30 p.m. on North El Camino Real near a Home Depot store. The fire quickly grew to over two acres and rushed up a hill toward homes on Scott Road.
Encinitas firefighters were able to stop the fire at the top of the hill before it could reach the nearby homes. Six homes were in danger, but none was damaged.
Crews remained on scene for a few hours after containing the blaze to put out any hot spots on the hill.
The cause and circumstances of the fire were under investigation.
