SAN DIEGO -- A brush fire broke out in a Valenica Park-area canyon Sunday, a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department dispatcher said.

The fire in a canyon between Cervantes and Alta Vista avenues was reported shortly before 11 a.m., just north of the city limits of National City, the dispatcher said.

Fire officals at the scene told 10News the fire burned about eight acres before being put out.

San Diego, National City and Chula Vista firefighters on the ground were aided by water-dropping helicopters, the dispatcher said.

Authorities said the flames were threatening some homes along the canyon rim, but no structural damage had occurred yet.