Smoke from the so-called Border 2 Fire, which was blowing west and southwest in the direction of Otay Mesa, was visible for miles, reports NBC 7’s Todd Strain. A large vegetation fire began burning Thursday afternoon on a hilltop near the U.S.-Mexico border. As night fell, the flames cast an eerie glow across Otay Mountain.

A wildfire is spreading through the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border. Southern California is under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday.

A new wildfire spread quickly on Thursday in Southern California near the U.S.-Mexico border, The blaze is in the Otay Mountain Wilderness, home to the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly and other unique species.