Additional Coverage:
A brush fire near San Diego State University, dubbed the Montezuma Fire, forced mandatory evacuations for several neighborhoods west of the campus, including an elementary school.
The fire, which scorched nearly 40 acres as of Thursday afternoon, prompted road closures and the deployment of numerous firefighting units. Helicopters were seen dropping water on the blaze.
Despite the lack of reported injuries, the threat of wildfires in Southern California remains high, particularly during the fall months when Santa Ana winds are prevalent.