Firefighters were racing on Wednesday to slow a fast-moving wildfire on the outskirts of a community in San Diego County, Calif., that has prompted evacuation orders and left two people needing to be rescued.
The Creelman fire, near Ramona, Calif., threatened neighborhoods as it grew to 315 acres by late afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. The agency later said that the blaze was 20 percent contained.
More than 2,000 people were under evacuation orders early Thursday morning, according to a New York Times analysis.
Firefighters used a helicopter to rescue two people trapped near the origin of the fire, Capt. Mike Cornette of Cal Fire San Diego said in an interview. The two people rescued were not injured, and fire officials said they had received no reports of any injuries as of Wednesday evening.
Photos and videos posted to social media showed helicopters dumping water from a sky darkened by thick plumes of smoke and mountains ablaze with orange flames.
The fire started just before 3 p.m., the authorities said. By late afternoon, it was spreading toward the San Diego Country Estates, a planned resort-style community of about 10,000 people. The resort said on social media that it was evacuating guests “out of an abundance of caution.”
Officials warned that air quality in areas of heavy smoke near the fire could be unhealthy, and that other nearby areas with less smoke could still be unhealthy for sensitive groups. They recommended those living near the blaze limit outdoor activity.
The fire quickly drew an aggressive air-and-ground response from Cal Fire and local agencies. A local high school was designated as a shelter point, and a rodeo as a drop-off for large animals.
“We are getting some good work” using aircraft “and have slowed the fire significantly,” Captain Cornette said.
Kirk Delph, 52, a Ramona resident, said that he had been watching the fire since it started and was prepared to leave if necessary.
“If things change, then yeah, our bags are already packed,” he said. “We’re already ready to go.”
