Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations, Road Closures Near Del Mar

SAN DIEGO, CA — A brush fire prompted evacuations, threatened homes and shut down roads Tuesday near Del Mar.

A fire sparked around 10:45 a.m. on the north end of Del Mar Scenic Parkway in the Del Mar Heights area of San Diego, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

• Update: Evacuations Lifted, 2 Firefighters Injured In Brush Fire Near Del Mar

Initially, the one-acre fire was reported under control at about 12:20 p.m.

"Very difficult and dense terrain," the department said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "No damage to any structures. No evacuations. Strong work!"

Shortly after 3 p.m., the department said a spot fire started outside the fire containment lines. Additional resources responded to the blaze, including a fixed-wing aircraft and strike teams.

"Multiple agencies assisting in this effort," the department said. "The Del Mar Scenic Pkwy brush fire has reignited."

As of 4:45 pm., the fire had burned about 19 acres, SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said during a news conference. By 5:30 p.m., forward progress had been stopped and the blaze was 5% contained.

Crews battled the flames on the ground and aboard an air tanker and three water-dropping helicopters. No homes were damaged.

Two firefighters were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for treatment of heat exhaustion, Muñoz said. They were treated and released.

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 roughly 2,500 residents from the area and issued evacuation warnings to another 1,474 residents, Muñoz said.

"We strongly encourage you to get ready if you're in the evacuation warning area," Muñoz said.

A temporary evacuation point was established at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Roads were closed from 2000 to 2300 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. All off-ramps were reopened by 7:30 p.m.

All evacuations and road closures were lifted by 8:45 p.m.

A smoke advisory was issued for northwest San Diego County. The 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.