Wildfire Near Julian: Evacuations and Strike Teams on Order WHISPERING PINES - A fast-moving wildfire blackened scores of open acres east of Julian Thursday, prompting evacuations of back-country homes potentially in the path of the blaze. Reports of at least a thousand acres plus at this hour. Fire area near Banner Rd, Highway 78 and Highway S-2 in San Diego County, this is near the Anza Borrego Desert. The blaze near Banner Grade in the Whispering Pines area of eastern San Diego County began spreading about 2:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire. Authorities evacuated roughly 100 residences in nearby Shelter Valley as crews fought the flames on the ground and aboard air tankers and water- dropping helicopters, said Nick Schuler, a battalion chief with the state agency. A large order ahs been placed for stike teams for structure protection.