Bushfire causes evacuations, road closures near Del Mar

A temporary evacuation point has been established at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

June 25, 2024 at 3:20 p.m. PDT | Update June 25, 2024 at 5:55 p.m. PDT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A brush fire prompted evacuations, threatened homes and closed roads Tuesday near Del Mar.

A fire broke out around 10:45 a.m. at the north end of Del Mar Scenic Parkway in the Del Mar Heights neighborhood of San Diego, according to the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department.

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The fire was initially reported under control at around 12:20 p.m.

“Very difficult and dense terrain,” the department said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “No damage to structures. No evacuations. Solid work!”

Shortly after 3 p.m., the department said a localized fire broke out outside the fire containment lines. Additional resources responded to the fire, including fixed-wing aircraft and response teams.

“Several agencies are contributing to this effort,” the ministry said. “Del Mar Scenic Pkwy brush fire reignited.”

As of 4:45 p.m., the fire had burned about 19 acres, SDFD spokeswoman Mónica Muñoz said at a news conference.

Crews were battling the fire on the ground and aboard three helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft.

Two firefighters were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla for treatment for heat exhaustion, Muñoz said.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for residents west of Interstate 5 between Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights roads, as well as east of North Torrey Pines Road. Authorities evacuated about 2,500 residents from the area and issued evacuation notices to another 1,400 residents, Muñoz said.

“We strongly encourage you to prepare if you are in the evacuation warning zone,” Muñoz said.

A temporary evacuation point has been established at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Roads were closed from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Del Mar Scenic Parkway, according to the San Diego Police Department.

The southbound I-5 off-ramps at Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights were also closed, according to Caltrans. The Carmel Valley off-ramp reopened at 5:41 p.m., but the northbound and southbound Del Mar Heights off-ramps remained closed.

A smoke advisory has been issued for northwest San Diego County. Affected communities include Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Scripps Ranch and Poway, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.