Mexican Brush Fire of More Than 600 Acres Threatens To Jump to San Diego County

Cal Fire on Wednesday reported a brush fire of "at least 600 acres" in Mexico. It appears to be approximately two miles south of the Otay Mesa border crossing, according to Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler.

"We consider it a threat to San Diego county," he said.

Mohler said Mexican authorities called on Cal Fire for assistance Wednesday afternoon, but then canceled.

He said U. S. fire crews are stationed and standing by to go over the border to assist if requested. He said winds were blowing to the northwest, as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Smoke was observed by residents in Chula Vista, National City and parts of East County, as shown in our Patch photo, taken from Chula Vista at 4 p.m.

Cal Fire received reports of smoke at about 10:40 a.m. Mohler said the fire appeared to have started in an area in Mexico south and west of Tecate Peak. The peak straddles the U.S./Mexico border. To read an account of the area by the late hiking author Jerry Schad, click here.

Patch will update this story.