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Homes briefly evacuated due to Santee brush fire

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SANTEE, Calif. (KGTV) -- No structures were damaged after a small brush fire broke out in Santee Tuesday afternoon. 

The fire started in a river bottom near State Route 52 and Cuyamaca Street around 4 p.m. Tuesday. 

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department assisted with road closures and evacuations at Prospect and Olive, but later tweeted out that no further evacuations were needed. 

While working to extinguish the fire, a drone flying in the area forced a Cal Fire helicopter to land.

"When firefighting assets show up to a fire, we’re flying at a very low level," said Tony Webber, the Deputy Sheriff pilot that was flying air support for fire crews.  "We’re at the same level as a drone, and if we collide, that could kill us. It could take (our) chopper out of the air, and it’s very dangerous."

The fire agency took the opportunity to remind the public not to fly drones near fires. 

Watch video from the scene in the player below: