Evacuations Lifted After Fast-Moving Fairmount Fire Damaged 6 Homes

SAN DIEGO, CA — A Fast moving brush fire broke out in San Diego's College Area Thursday afternoon, damaging a half-dozen homes and forcing widespread evacuations and road closures

The blaze, dubbed the Fairmount Fire, burned 37 acres near San Diego State University within a hour. The blaze chased dozens from their homes and prompted the evacuation of Hardy Elementary School.

It was sparked around 1:30 p.m. in the area around Fairmount Avenue and Montezuma Road, according to the San Diego Fire Department. Air crews were called to the scene, and residents were ordered to leave the area.

They were allowed to return home shortly after 9 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire Department.

"All areas that were under mandatory evacuation for the #fairmountfire are now open for repopulation," the fire department reported on X. "Montezuma Rd between Collwood Blv & Fairmount Av will remain closed thru the night. Power has also been restored to the area.

Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters fought the blaze as San Diego police officers cleared people out of threatened homes along hilltops above the burning gorge, SDFRD spokesman Jose Ysea said.

Within roughly an hour, the blaze had blackened an estimated 37 acres, according to the fire department.

A temporary shelter for evacuees was in operation at Allied Gardens Recreation Center on Greenbrier Avenue, near the intersection of Waring Road and Zion Avenue.

Hardy Elementary School in the 5400 block of Montezuma Road was evacuated as a precaution. Officials were taking the displaced pupils to unite with family members at Viejas Arena on the grounds of SDSU.

As of 4:30 p.m., firefighters were making good progress toward subduing the blaze, which damaged a total of six homes, officials said.

Crews had the smoldering burn area about 25% contained as of 6:30 p.m., according to SDFRD public affairs.

Streets remaining shut down due to the blaze in the early evening included Collwood Boulevard between Monroe Avenue and Montezuma Road, Camino Del Rio South at Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount Avenue from Interstate 8 to Aldine Drive and Montezuma Road between Fairmount Avenue and 55th Street.

Initially, the speedily spreading flames forced mandatory evacuations east of Montezuma Road, north of Monroe Avenue, south of Alvarado Canyon Road and west of Hewlett Drive. Among the affected locations were Talmadge-area neighborhoods along Lila, Lorraine and Lucille drives, as well as on Collwood Way, police said.

CalFire warned of "An immediate threat to life. This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access."

"Please avoid the area as there are several crews at scene," the San Diego Fire Department added.

The smoke could be seen from both the -I-805 and I-8 freeways, backing up traffic in the area.

The fire was believed to have started in a Palm Tree, NBC7 reported.

City News Service contributed to this report.