BRUSH FIRE IN LAKESIDE NEAR LAKE JENNINGS

Update 3:30 p.m.: The fire is now 8 acres, Lakeside Fire reports, but the spread is slowing and no structues are threatened.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo by Rose Masters

November 18, 2018 (Lakeside) -- Cal Fire and Lakeside Fire are in unified command battling to suppress the #ElMonteFire that began shortly before 3 p.m. today in the 14000 block of El Monte Road. The blaze has burned approximately a half acre of brush in the riverbed but no structures are currently threatened, Cal Fire reports. The fire is spreading at a moderate rate.

The incident commander has requested closure of El Monte Road at Lake Jennings Road, Brush Fire Party Line reports. Aerial firefighting aicraft are now at the scene.

Photo, right, by Richard Scott, taken shortly after the fire began

The fire caused some nervous moments for residents as the fire encroached on the community.  Aircrraft fighting the fire including Cal Fire fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and SDG&E's air crane.

Photos below by Bob Ryan, photographer

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