A rapidly escalating brush fire dubbed the Bunnie Fire has spread at an unanticipated pace through Ramona, burning nearly 200 acres, as evacuation orders have been announced for several areas and structures are under severe threat. According to NBC San Diego, the fire was first reported around 11:20 a.m., but the aggressive fire surged quickly from a mere 5 acres to a massive 184-acre blaze, with Cal Fire San Diego stating that the fire was spreading at a dangerous rate.
The situation escalated so quickly that only 90 minutes after the Bunnie Fire's detection, a colossal plume of smoke could be seen for miles, casting an ominous shadow over the impending emergency as reported by NBC San Diego. By 2:30 p.m., firefighters had valiantly managed to reduce the blaze's spread significantly; however, containment remained elusive, and a persistent threat to structures and homes loomed large. Emergency services made headway in combating the fire, reaching an estimated containment of 20% by around 7 p.m.
The evacuation orders were sent out shortly after 12:30 p.m., with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department placing them in effect along portions of San Vicente Road south of Creelman Lane and extending past Wildcat Canyon Road as informed by ABC 10 News. San Diego officials rushed to establish an evacuation center at Olive Pierce Middle School on Hanson Lane for affected residents, urging them to head north on San Vicente Road or south on Barona Road.
#BunnieFire in Ramona [update] Evacuation warning and order area has been expanded. For real time updates click on the link below. This is an interactive map that allows for searchable address information in the top bar. https://t.co/7MSqhEinbz pic.twitter.com/2tUA3G3SJZ
— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) August 9, 2023
A CAL FIRE San Diego update provided on Twitter revealed that the evacuation warning and order area had been expanded, as concerned locals sought real-time updates via an interactive map on the San Diego County Emergency website. A relentless effort by ground crews and firefighting aircraft dropping retardant and water to gain control took place, tackling the inferno's swath across hilly terrain and the ample fuel supply it had in store from trees, chaparral, and brush.
Cal Fire Capt. Michael Cornett shed some light on the aerial attack, stating in a news conference at around 2:30 p.m. that resources were being drawn from the Ramona and Gillespie air bases, with fire-tackling aircraft arriving at the scene in minimal time as cited by NBC San Diego. Alongside the aerial onslaught, a large ground-resource request was sent from multiple outlets across the county, seeking the assistance of San Diego City, North County, the Forest Service, and the San Diego County Fire Department.
The San Diego County Department of Public Works revealed that San Vicente Road was closed from Warnock Drive to Wildcat Canyon Road, along with the closure of Wildcat Canyon Road from Barona Speedway to San Vicente Road.
