Air stream sends smell of smoke from desert fires to Ramona

The smell of smoke from several fires north of Julian and south of the San Diego/Riverside county line was in the air in Ramona as rain fell briefly just before 5 p.m. Thursday.

Area residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 if they just smell smoke.

The largest of the fires, called the Felipe Fire, is about 100 acres on the east side of S-2 and spreading to the northeast, burning in the desert, reports a CalFire spokesperson. There are 15 engines, 6 fire crews, 2 water tenders, 1 bulldozer, 2 airtankers, 2 helicopters, and several chief officers either on scene or enroute. No structures are threatened.

There are several other fires north of Julian and south of the county line, but all are small in size and being handled by firefighters.

An active thunder cell is moving through the Felipe Fire, bringing thunder, some rainfall and lightning strikes to nearby areas.

The area fires and fires in Mexico are spreading smoke throughout the entire east county, CalFire reports.