A fast-moving brush fire raced up a Mission Valley hillside Tuesday, charring 15 to 20 acres, prompting evacuations and forcing closures of traffic lanes but causing no reported structural damage or injuries.
The blaze erupted shortly after noon on the north side of Friars Road, across the street from Fashion Valley mall, according to the San Diego Fire- Rescue Department.
Police shut down a stretch of the busy roadway and cleared people out of nearby structures as ground crews and personnel aboard water-dropping helicopters fought the fire, which was climbing steep slopes toward a bluff-top condominium complex.
Firefighters had the spread of the blaze halted by early afternoon, officials said.
