A fast-moving wildfire near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego County quickly expanded to more than 500 acres on Thursday night. Thankfully, the fire—dubbed the "Border 2 fire"—is far from homes and buildings, giving firefighters some breathing room as they work to contain it.

The blaze broke out in the rugged Otay Mountain Wilderness, an area known for its steep, rocky terrain. While the rough landscape makes it tough for firefighters to reach the flames on foot, it also serves as a natural barrier, keeping the fire away from nearby communities. Captain Robert Johnson of Cal Fire mentioned that about 200 firefighters were working overnight, supported by air tankers and helicopters dropping water to slow the fire’s progress.

Residents in Chula Vista, a city about five miles west of the fire, kept a close eye on the smoke and orange glow in the distance. Local authorities assured everyone that there was no immediate threat but stationed extra police and fire personnel in case evacuations became necessary.

On the Mexican side of the border, the towering smoke was visible from Tijuana, though officials confirmed the fire wasn’t at risk of crossing into Mexico. Cal Fire also noted they’ve set up coordination with Mexican firefighting teams, just in case the situation changes.

Winds of around 25 miles per hour, blowing southwest, added to the challenge for crews on the ground. However, they remained optimistic about containing the fire before it could pose any significant danger.