Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warning Near Pala Casino

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A wildfire scorched hundreds of acres and prompted an evacuation warning Wednesday near Pala Casino Spa Resort in northern San Diego County.

The blaze, called the Mesa Fire, sparked shortly after 2 p.m. off state Route 76, about a mile west of Pala Temecula Road in Pala Mesa, according to Cal Fire.

UPDATE: Crews Halt Spread Of Mesa Fire Near Pala Casino

The flames were moving "with a dangerous rate of spread," fire officials said. By 5 p.m., the fire had burned 260 acres and was 0 percent contained. By 6:45 p.m., the fire had spread to 350 acres and remained 0 percent contained.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department issued an evacuation warning for people who live near Pala Casino. (See the county's emergency map for the evacuation warning area.)

"At this time it is voluntary, but be ready to leave when advised to do so," sheriff's officials said on Twitter.

Temporary evacuation sites were established at Valley Center High School at 31322 Cole Grade Road and the Park and Ride at Interstate 15 and SR-76.

SR-76 was shut down from Horse Creek Ranch Road to Pala Casino.

Smoke was visible from nearby North County communities and Temecula. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory for the surrounding areas.

"Smoke impacts are likely in areas near and to the east and northeast of the fire, where fine particulates, or PM2.5 concentrations, may reach unhealthful levels," officials said.

"In areas of heavy smoke, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals. In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups."