Wildfire in San Diego County Valleys, California

The Escala Fire started in the mid-afternoon hours on October 30 at Battle Mountain Open Space east of I-15 near Rancho Bernardo. Evacuation warnings and orders were issued for nearby areas. The fire burned 5 acres and achieved 90% containment several hours after ignition. Two lanes of I-15 were closed due to close proximity of fire.

Widespread gusty Santa Ana winds impacted Southern California October 29-31, 2023. The strongest wind gusts were reported in the San Bernardino County Mountains through northern portions of the Inland Empire and the Santa Ana Mountains. Very windy and dry conditions led to an environment ripe for wildfire growth. Several small wildfires burned, and the larger Highland Fire burned for over a week in the southern Inland Empire.