What to know: Border 2 Fire600 acres, 0% contained, moderate rate of spreadRoad closures: Alta Road is closed to traffic just south of Otay Mesa RoadA smoke advisory is in effect for Otay Mesa and the surrounding areasThe cause of the fire is under investigation A large vegetation fire began burning Thursday afternoon on a hilltop near the U.S.-Mexico border. As night fell, the flames cast an eerie glow across Otay Mountain. Smoke from the so-called Border 2 Fire, which was blowing west and southwest in the direction of Otay Mesa, was visible for miles. Fixed-wing aircraft were seen making water drops on the fast-growing fire, including a very large air tanker assigned to fight the flames, according to Cal Fire. In the late afternoon, Cal Fire said 200 personnel had been assigned to the fight. Relevant content: Wildfires Jan 21 Map: Where fires are burning in San Diego County La Jolla 13 hours ago Evacuation orders and warnings lifted after brush fire sparks in La Jolla Flames from the fire could be seen racing up a hillside on Otay Mountain, near the Otay Mountain Truck Trail. At a little before 2:30 p.m., Cal Fire San Diego tweeted out that the border fire had already burned 20 acres and had a “dangerous rate of spread.” However, firefighters had downgraded the rate of spread to moderate, meaning that their efforts were beginning to bear fruit. By 8:30 p.m., the fire had spread to 600 acres and was at 0% containment. During the afternoon, the fire crested Otay and “impacted [a] communications tower at the top of the mountain,” according to Cal Fire. Alta Road just south of Otay Mesa Road was closed due to the fire, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said. Also impacted by the fire: The city of Chula Vista announced at about 4:30 p.m. that it was closing all parks and rec centers east of Interstate 805 due to increasingly poor air quality in the area. “In areas of heavy smoke, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals,” the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District said in a tweet. “In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Although there’s no current threat to Chula Vista, the city said extra officers would be stationed around the city to assist if evacuations become necessary. Extra officers are stationed around the city to monitor and assist if evacuations are needed. This is precautionary and not cause for alarm. Use 9-1-1 for emergencies only. For non-emergencies, call (619) 691-5151 or report online via ACT Chula Vista. pic.twitter.com/GmkobcbANj— City of Chula Vista (@thinkchulavista) January 24, 2025 A second fire began burning almost simultaneously in La Jolla near Gilman Drive, not far from the campus of the UC San Diego. That fire, which was not nearly as large — the lates estimates put it at 3 acres — prompted evacutions in the heavily populated area. By 4 p.m., the evacuation order had been lifted. The fires come in the wake of a series of blazes this week, including ones in Mission Valley near the Fashion Valley Mall and in Rancho Bernardo, as well as a second small one in Mission Valley on Thursday morning started in a homeless encampment. A fire began burning in a remote area near the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday. Most concerning for firefighters and residents, though, is the fact that Thursday’s forecast is for the strongest winds of a week of Santa Ana’s. Check back here for updates on this breaking news story — Ed.