Fire spreads through ravine next to Carlsbad airport

CARLSBAD (KUSI) – A vegetation fire in a ravine just west of McClellan- Palomar Airport briefly threatened commercial structures Friday until firefighters gained control of the flames.

The non-injury blaze erupted for unknown reasons off the 1900 block of Palomar Oaks Way shortly before 11:30 a.m., according to the Carlsbad Fire Department.

Aided by water drops from a sheriff’s helicopter, crews from various North County firefighting agencies were able to prevent any structural damage and had the spread of the blaze halted at about four acres within 30 minutes, CFD Division Chief Mike Lopez said.

Police shut down nearby Palomar Airport Road between College Boulevard and Palomar Oaks Way as firefighters were dousing the flames.

The cause of the fire, which blackened an area covered by brush and stands of eucalyptus trees, was under investigation, Lopez said.