A fast-moving wildfire scorched dozens of acres and forced evacuations of homes in a rural area near the Pala Mesa Resort today before crews could stop the blaze’s spread.

According to Cal Fire, the fire broke out for unknown reasons around 12:45 a.m. near the 3800 block of Lake Garden Drive in Fallbrook, just west of Interstate 15 and east of Gird Road.

Shortly before 2:30 p.m., the flames had spread to an estimated 48 acres and were spreading through areas near homes, said Mike Cornette, fire chief with the state agency.

Deputies evacuated people from homes near the fire zone as firefighters battled the blaze on the ground and aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters.

Areas under mandatory evacuation orders as of mid-afternoon included neighborhoods east of Gird Road; north of state Route 76; south of Laketree Drive, Pala Mesa Drive and Wilt Road; and west of Old Highway 395. Residents in locations north of those perimeters – up to Reche Road – were advised to prepare to leave their homes at short notice.

View a map of evacuation orders and warnings here.

As of 4:30 p.m., crews had stopped the spread of the fire on about 50 acres, Cal Fire reported. There were no reports of structural damage or injuries.