Tuesday afternoon, a wind-driven brush fire in Del Mar Heights flared up again, forcing the neighboring families to flee their houses. Since then, the evacuation order has been revoked.
Crews swiftly put out the fire after it initially broke out north of Del Mar Scenic Parkway at 10:30 a.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
However, at 3 p.m., a spot fire that broke out outside the containment lines caused the flames to flare up again, according to SDFD spokesman Mónica Muñoz at a press conference in the afternoon.
There was a smoke cloud over Interstate 5 from the fire, which was burning near Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Forward rate of progress has been stopped. Stellar work by firefighters on the ground & aircraft.
19 acres, 5% contained
2500 residents under mandatory evac order
1474 residents under evac warning
Plz use caution in the area & heed law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/cdBuTfaxOq— SDFD (@SDFD) June 26, 2024
The forward rate of advancement was halted by 5:30 p.m., according to SDFD on X, the former Twitter. At 5% containment, the fire was reported to have spread across 19 acres.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the residents who were affected by the evacuation order and alert were no longer in effect.
Muñoz stated that the onshore winds and the area’s extensive foliage were making the combat challenging. Helicopters and fixed-wing planes were providing firefight support.
According to Muñoz, two firemen were treated for heat exhaustion at a nearby hospital.
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On Tuesday, officials asked about 2,500 inhabitants to leave their homes for a few hours while they attempted to contain the fire. Muñoz estimates that over 1,400 people were affected by the evacuation warning.
An official temporary evacuation site was established at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
The brush fire caused the Interstate 5 off-ramps for Del Mar Heights Road and Carmel Valley Road to close, according to Caltrans San Diego. The ramps have reopened as well.
The Del Mar Heights fire area’s road closures have all been lifted, according to the San Diego Police Department.
