A brush fire spread dangerously close to homes Monday while charring about 20 open acres in a rural area south of El Cajon, prompting evacuations as ground and airborne crews worked to douse the flames.
The blaze, which caused no reported structural damage or injuries, erupted for unknown reasons about 1:30 p.m. off Millar Anita Lane and Millar Ranch Road, south of state Route 94 in the San Miguel area, according to Cal Fire.
Authorities evacuated people out of houses closest to the burn area and advised other nearby residents to shelter in place until crews could the get the flames under control, said Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots. A makeshift shelter for the evacuees was in operation at Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego, a movie multiplex on Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego.
As of 3:45 p.m., firefighters, including personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, had halted the spread of the blaze, which came within a few hundred feet of some homes, Shoots said.
By 9 p.m., crews had the smoldering burn area 70% contained, Cal Fire reported.
All evacuations have been lifted, Cal Fire announced shortly before 9 p.m.
The cause of the blaze remained under investigation in the late afternoon.
