Southbound Route 67 South of Ramona Reopens After Small Brush Fire

A small brush fire Sunday morning forced closure of one lane of southbound state Route 67 between Ramona and Santee, said Cal Fire and the California Highway Patrol.   

The fire was reported about 10:50 a.m. off the southbound side of state Route 67 near Slaughterhouse Canyon Road, east of the Sycamore Canyon County Open Space Preserve, according to the CHP.   

By 11 a.m., the blaze had spread to a roughly 20-foot-square area and two spot fires had popped up.

Some bystanders tried to put them out with fire extinguishers, the CHP reported on its website.  Officials closed the highway’s right lane north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road about 11:15 a.m., according to the CHP.

Capt. Mike Mohler of Cal Fire said fire engines were stopped on the highway.   

The blaze grew to about a quarter-acre before crews stopped its forward spread about 11:25 a.m., Mohler said. He said the fire damaged no structures, and no one was injured.   

A helicopter remained on scene, but a firefighting airplane was released, Mohler said. The road was reopened at noon. 

—City News Service