SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County has avoided a major wildfire for almost three years, but firefighters said one area is primed for a devastating fire.

Cal Fire officials said the area of the 1970 Laguna Fire is a potential wildfire waiting to happen.

"That hasn't burned since the early 1970s. So one of the things we're looking at, what we're preparing for, is that particular area," Cal Fire Chief Ray Chaney said.

The Laguna Fire footprint encompasses more than 175,000 acres. Downed power lines sparked the fire on September 26, 1970, and it took less than 24 hours for the fire line to travel from Mount Laguna to El Cajon and Rancho San Diego. Eight people were killed and 382 homes were destroyed.

Cal Fire flew 10News over the Laguna Fire footprint in its C-12 air attack training plane. Fire officials said they know the history of the area and have already taken steps to get ahead of any potential wildfire.

"We've gone on, got in here, cleaned the brush, done some controlled burns in here," Chaney said.

Through all their work, Cal Fire said their cautiously optimistic.

"We're always going to plan for a worst-case scenario and hope for the best," Chaney said.