Wildfire burns large area in northeast San Diego County

WHISPERING PINES (CNS) – A fast-moving wildfire blackened scores of open
acres east of Julian Thursday, prompting evacuations of back-country homes
potentially in the path of the blaze.

The blaze near Banner Grade in the Whispering Pines area of eastern San
Diego County began spreading about 2:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Authorities evacuated roughly 100 residences in nearby Shelter Valley as
crews fought the flames on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-
dropping helicopters, said Nick Schuler, a battalion chief with the state
agency.

Within 90 minutes, the burn area had grown to about 150 acres, Schuler
said.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the blaze.