By Gina Yarbrough
Del Mar, CA–A brush fire that erupted near homes in Del Mar Heights was halted by firefighters on Tuesday afternoon, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department announced.
Initially reported at around 10:33 a.m., the fire began as a one to four-acre blaze near Del Mar Scenic Parkway and Carmel Valley Road. Firefighters immediately responded, containing the fire within the area.
By 3 p.m., crews performed mop-up operations when a spot fire ignited outside the containment line. Ground crews and helicopters, performing water drops, battled the blaze.
Due to the fire’s intensity and safety concerns, San Diego police issued mandatory evacuations for 2,500 residents north of Carmel Valley Road, east of North Torrey Pines Road, south of Del Mar Heights Road and west of Interstate 5. Additionally, approximately 1,474 residents were placed under evacuation warnings. Evacuees were directed to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for safety.
“The Del Mar Scenic Parkway was a very difficult & dense terrain,” the San Diego Fire Department reported on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Two firefighters suffered heat-related illnesses and were transported to Scripps La Jolla for treatment. They were treated and released, San Diego Fire-Rescue said.
By evening, evacuation orders and warnings for the affected Del Mar Heights areas were lifted, allowing residents to return home. There was no damage to any structures.
Caltrans San Diego reported that the northbound and southbound Interstate-5 Del Mar Heights off-ramps have reopened to traffic.
The fire grew to about 23 acres and was reported to have 50% containment.
