Steele Fire in Rancho San Diego now 25% contained as blaze threatens homes

Flames and smoke from the Steele Fire which grew to acres in roughly an hour Wednesday Photo courtesy of Cal Fire San Diego via Alert California A brush fire began mid-afternoon Wednesday in Rancho San Diego roughly feet west of Steele Canyon High School which has been opened as a temporary evacuation point The fire communicated at around p m grew to five acres in roughly minutes spreading northwest through undeveloped shrub land The fire was acres and had a slow rate of spread that has since been stopped according to Cal Fire San Diego At p m the fire was contained Ground crews are on scene as well as two air tankers and five additional fire engines the nonprofit fire institution Watch Duty released Two structures have been threatened and the fire has been deemed a critical threat A closure of Steele Canyon Drive was requested between Highway and Willow Glen Drive according to Watch Duty Evacuation orders have been issued to two neighborhoods that lie north of state Trail and Campo Road and south of Willow Glen Drive and Stonefield Drive Four surrounding neighborhoods including areas including the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge and parts of North Jamul have been issued evacuation warnings The Steele Fire evacuation order and warning map as of p m Red shaded areas have been issued an evacuation order and yellow areas have been issued an evacuation warning Photo from https protect genasys com The cause of the fire is unknown No injuries have been released City News Utility contributed to this account