Gilman Fire Threatens Structures, Prompts Evacuations In La Jolla

SAN DIEGO, CA — A brush fire threatened homes and prompted evacuations Thursday afternoon in San Diego.

The blaze, called the Gilman Fire, sparked shortly before 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Gilman Drive and Via Alicante in the community of La Jolla, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Crews aboard water-dropping helicopters and multiple fire engines worked to protect nearby homes. The fire scorched two acres and threatened structures before crews halted forward progress of the flames.

The San Diego Police Department ordered evacuations in the surrounding areas, including along Bremerton Place, Sugarman Drive and Via Mallorca.

• Also see: La Jolla Fire: See Gilman Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Map

An evacuation order was issued for the SDC-1648 zone. An evacuation warning was issued for the following zones: SDC-1577, SDC-1647. See an interactive map here.

La Jolla YMCA and Torrey Pines Elementary School were not evacuated, but were sheltering in place, police said. All after school programs were cancelled.

As of 4 p.m. all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted, police said. Road closures remained in place.

"First responders will continue working in the area," police said. "Please use caution."

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The fire broke out amid critical fire weather conditions in the region. A red flag warning was extended until 10 a.m. Friday for the county's inland valleys and mountains, according to the National Weather Service. A high wind warning was also in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for the mountains and valleys.

Also see:

• Critical Fire Threat Continues In San Diego County
• Brush Fire With 'Dangerous' Rate Of Spread Sparks On Otay Mountain