(KGTV) – A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was injured while battling a vegetation fire that has burned 10 acres in the Cleveland National Forest near the community of Alpine.
The firefighter was taken to an area hospital for treatment according to U.S. Forest Service's Anabele Cornejo. No other details were available.
Amid strong Santa Ana winds in the area Friday, a wildfire erupted in the Japatul Valley area of San Diego's East County.
The blaze was reported just before 1 p.m. Friday near the 21000 block of Japatul Road, southeast of Alpine, according to the California Highway Patrol.
According to the CHP, dark smoke was visible from the agency’s Interstate 8 viewpoint. The CHP also noted the strong winds swirling in the area.
Cal Fire San Diego said the fire went on to burn at least 10 acres as of 1:55 p.m., but good progress was made in the firefight thanks to crews on the ground and aerial water and retardant drops.
No evacuation orders were issued, but residents in the nearby area were told to shelter in place as a precaution.
With Santa Ana winds whipping in the county’s inland and mountain areas, a Red Flag warning was in effect until early Saturday morning.
