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

SAN DIEGO, CA — Crews worked overnight Tuesday to contain a brush fire near Del Mar that forced thousands of residents to evacuate from their homes.

As of Wednesday morning, the fire had scorched 23 acres and was 50% contained, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

"Crews were at the scene all night and will evaluate the status this morning," SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said.

• Previous coverage: Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations, Road Closures Near Del Mar

A fire sparked around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday on the north end of Del Mar Scenic Parkway in the Del Mar Heights area of San Diego. The department previously reported the 1-acre brush fire had been stopped.

Shortly after 3 p.m., the department said a spot fire started outside the fire containment lines.

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.

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

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.