Fire swept through the ridge community of Suncrest 4 miles east of El Cajon, July 11, 1948.  The fire, which at one time threatened to be major, miraculously spared nearly all the rural community’s 100 small homes.  Flames shot as high as 75 and 100 feet at times during the advance.  Firemen, who battled the blaze as closely as they dared, often were forced to flee for their lives as fire flared through thick, dry brush.

It was impossible to tell how many children were evacuated from the danger area.  Families scattered frantically when they saw the walls of flame.  Children were left with neighbors, at El Cajon Police Station and with friends in the valley as most of the mother and fathers returned to battle the fire. The fire spread so quickly, few homeowners had time to think of saving furniture and household goods.

It started on the west slope of the ridge community about noon, leaped from one clump of brush to another, between and around the houses and swept across the ridge.  At 7 p.m. it had headed down the western slope of Harbison Canyon and was threatening the rebuilt homes that were burned to the ground in a $75,000 brush fire a year and a day ago.

Crews backfired the eastern slop of the Suncrest ridge and eliminated any further danger to the residential community. Flames in Harbison canyon were under control by 9 p.m. Twelve of the 18 fire engines called to the fire remained on the scene that night to patrol the area and reduce small fire centers. 

The flames burned up to the edges of the few lawns in the community and in some cases scorched porches, but the firefighting crews had the fire under control in 4 hours.