What to KnowAcres: 315Evacuation orders and warnings issued. Check this map for whereEvacuation point: Ramona High School at 1401 Hanson LaneLarge animal evacuation point: Ramona Rodeo at 421 Aqua LaneSmoke advisory: East County Firefighters are battling a brush fire burning at a critical rate in Ramona on Wednesday afternoon which prompted evacuation orders, warnings and is threatening structures. The fire, aptly dubbed the Creelman Fire, broke out at 310 Creelman Lane and was burning at a moderate to dangerous rate of spread, Cal Fire said. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for several areas. Check this map to see which areas are being evacuated. Structures on Gem Lane and the San Diego Country Estates, a nearby community in an unincorporated area of Ramona, were being impacted. An evacuation order (red) means everyone in those areas should leave immediately while those in the evacuation warning (yellow) should be prepared to evacuated if conditions change. A Temporary Evacuation Point has been established at Ramona High School at 1401 Hanson Lane. Those who need a large animal evacuation point have been advised to go to 421 Aqua Lane at the Ramona Rodeo. Those in the Ramona area should stay aware of increased law enforcement, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said. An active smoke advisory was issued due to the fire for all of East County, affecting those around the San Diego Country Estates, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution District. Ramona Country Estates resident Steve Tally captured photos of the Creelman Fire in Ramona from his backyard on July 22, 2026. Two civilians already had to be rescued from the area via a Cal Fire helicopter, Cal Fire said. The fire broke out amid a heat advisory for the entire San Diego County and a heat warning for the region’s deserts. Large plumes of black smoke could be seen rising into the sky on AlertCalifornia/UC San Diego wildfire cameras. Black smoke and brush could be seen burning at the top of a hill not far from homes at Ramona Country Estates. Multiple firefighting resources have been requested to fight the fire. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, a brush fire broke out in Rainbow, which sits in the far northern stretches of the county. That fire also prompted evacuation orders and warnings. Both have since been lifted and forward progress of that fire has been stopped. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information arrives. NBC San Diego has a crew headed to the scene. ...read more read less