UPDATE (4:45 p.m., Nov. 1): The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department on Friday afternoon said the Fairmount Fire in the College Area was 80% contained. The agency attributed the containment to the 15 SDFD crews that mopped up the scene throughout the day.
SDFD says three engine companies will patrol the area throughout the night to make sure the fire doesn't flare up again. On Saturday, crews on duty will take care of mopping up the remaining 20% in order to reach full containment.
The #fairmountfire is now 80% contained thanks to the great work of 15 SDFD crews today.
— SDFD (@SDFD) November 1, 2024
3 engine companies will patrol all night to be sure nothing flares up.
Saturday the on duty crews will tackle the remaining 20% for full containment. #firefighter pic.twitter.com/XjeE8Gw02g
UPDATE (8 a.m., Nov. 1): The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department on Friday morning confirmed the Fairmount Fire in the College Area was 25% contained and 15 crews would be on scene Friday to mop up any potential hot spots.
SDFD officials said Montezuma Road between Collwood Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue will remained close to the public due to the firefighting efforts.
All evacuations related to the fire were lifted, according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services/AlertSanDiego.
At least 37 acres of vegetation were burned in the fire, officials said.
UPDATE (3:50 a.m., Nov. 1): All evacuations related to the Fairmount Fire in the College Area have been lifted, according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services/AlertSanDiego.
Montezuma Road between Collwood Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue was closed overnight.
The fire, which erupted for unknown reasons Thursday afternoon in a canyon off Fairmount Avenue and Montezuma Road, charred at least 37 acres, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Thousands had to evacuate from their homes as multiple San Diego Fire Department firefighters worked to put out a rapidly moving fire in the College Area.
According to SDFD, the fire sparked in the area of Montezuma Road and Fairmount Avenue around 1:45 p.m. Several units were at the scene, and helicopters attacked the fire from above.
As of 4 p.m., Thursday, the area of evacuation was indicated in the map below:
Mandatory evacuations went underway in the following areas, but has since been lifted:
- South of Alvarado Canyon Road
- West of Hewlett Drive
- North of Monroe Avenue
- East of Montezuma Road
The Allied Gardens Recreation Center at 5155 Greenbrier Ave. served as a temporary shelter for people under the evacuation order.
As of 2:42 p.m., the fire was about 37 acres large.
SDFD says Hardy Elementary School, located at 5420 Montezuma Drive, was evacuated, and the people there are headed to Viejas Arena on the San Diego State campus. Parents can access the arena via Canyon Crest Drive.
SDFD says Lucille Drive, Lila Drive and 49th Street are under evacuation orders as officers are going door to door to notify people.
SDPD says the following roads will be closed until at least midnight:
- Collwood Boulevard, between Montezuma Road and Monroe Ave.
- Montezuma Road between Fairmount Ave. and 55th St.
- Fairmount Ave. from I-8 to Aldine
- Camino Del Rio south at Fairmount
- Eastbound I-8 at Fairmount exit
SDFD says Montezuma Road is shut down in both directions, and Aldine Drive is also impacted. The canyon behind Lucille Drive in the Talmadge and Alvarado Estates area is burning, per firefighters.
The San Diego State University alert page says there is no immediate threat to the campus community since the fire is located southwest of campus. No SDSU buildings or residence halls were evacuated, and classes continued. University Police assisted SDFD in proactive evacuations off campus in neighborhoods closer to the fire.
SDFD Public Information Officer Jose Ysea told City News Service that as of 4:30 p.m., at least 10 residential properties sustained minor damage. The damage included scorched patios, burned fences, and broken windows. Ysea also said firefighters were making good progress in containing the fire.
This is Montezuma near Fairmount.
— SDFD (@SDFD) October 31, 2024
Many crews in the area. Montezuma shut down in both directions. Aldine Dr also impacted.
Please avoid the area if possible.
Canyon behind Lucille Dr. in Talmadge & Alvarado Estates canyon burning. pic.twitter.com/KpNwNgomNB
Below, you'll find pictures from the public:
This is a developing story. Stay with ABC 10News as our team of journalists works to gather the latest information. City News Service contributed to this report.
