The fire began southeast of Julian, in San Diego County, at about 1 p.m. Saturday, east of Sunrise Highway in the Chariot Mountain area.
One-hundred-twenty residences were evacuated along with several campgrounds. No structures were reported damaged.
Four firefighters sustained minor injuries. About 1,170 firefighters were working on the blaze.
The American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter for the displaced at Joan McQueen Middle School on Tavern Road in Alpine.
The Horse Heaven Campground in the Cleveland National Forest was also evacuated, along with the Al Bahr Shrine, El Prado and Laguna and campgrounds and the Sierra Club's Foster Lodge.
Aiding Cal Fire in the effort were the U.S. Forest Service, California State Parks, and the county fire authority and sheriff's department.
The California Highway Patrol closed State Route 79 at Sunrise Highway and blocked off the latter roadway at Old Highway 80.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.
