A brush fire that erupted alongside Ortega Highway near San Juan Capistrano Thursday and scorched nine acres was 90% contained.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at noon near Hot Spring Canyon Road, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta said.
The blaze — dubbed the San Juan Fire — burned nine acres, down from previous estimates of 10 to 15 acres, said OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi.
Ortega Highway was temporarily closed in both directions in the area to accommodate responding fire crews, but was later reopened to traffic.
Crews managed to stop the spread of the fire and had the blaze 90% contained as of about 7:20 p.m., Concialdi said. Firefighters were set to remain on scene throughout the night to continue dousing the blaze.
There was no immediate word on what sparked the blaze.