San Diego Fire Rescue investigates brush fire

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - San Diego Fire Rescue is investigating a brush fire which broke out in a canyon in the University Heights neighborhood Saturday afternoon, and neighbors share what they saw.

"All of the sudden I just saw smoke started happening and then a palm tree went up in flames, and then the canyon kind of caught on fire," said Howard Wu, a homeowner.

Wu was cleaning outside his home in University Heights when he says he heard what appeared to be someone talking down on the canyon.

When he looked to the canyon to see where that sound was coming from, he saw the fire and immediately called 911.

San Diego Fire responded to a call about a brush fire in the canyon at around 1:30 p.m.

120 firefighters and two helicopters responded and they put out the fire, but Wu says about 30 minutes later, two more palm trees went up in flames.

"The first thought was, 'Not again,' so I just started yelling, 'Fire, fire' because the trucks were still in the neighborhood, so I was just calling and started yelling for firefighters to come back and they rushed back into the canyon," Wu shared.

An NBC affiliate in the San Diego area saw many neighbors looking behind their homes to take a look down the canyon. That's where they say the fire was first spotted.

The NBC affiliate also saw firefighters using their tools to battle the fire as well as saw a helicopter making water drops to help put out the fire.

Deputy Fire Chief Brent Brainard says one firefighter was hurt burned on the neck from an embercast. He was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be okay.

Tony Long rushed to check-in on his parents when he got a the notification on his phone about a fire nearby.

"Evacuating your loved ones is important and that’s what immediately came to my mind," Long expressed.

Long grew up in the neighborhood and says the vegitation has grown significantly since he lived there 20 years ago.

This is why firefighters are encouraging neighbors to create defensible space around their homes, so they can clear out potential fire hazards before it's too late.

"We really want the residents to take it seriously, work with our Community Risk Reduction Division to ensure their houses are protected, and that way they can help assist us, so that when we do get to a scene we are set up for success," said Chief Brainard.