Evacuations, road closures lifted as crews douse brush fire in Del Mar Heights
UPDATE: Drone near Del Mar Heights brush fire slowed firefighting efforts: SDFD
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A wind-driven brush fire reignited in Del Mar Heights Tuesday afternoon, prompting nearby residents to evacuate their homes.
The fire first started around 10:30 a.m. north of Del Mar Scenic Parkway, and crews quickly stopped the blaze, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
But the flames reignited around 3 p.m. when a spot fire started outside the containment lines, SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said during an afternoon news conference.
The fire was burning in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension, sending a plume of smoke over Interstate 5. Canyons became engulfed in smoke and flames.
By 5:30 p.m., the forward rate of progress had been stopped and was 5% contained, SDFD said.
A full day later, as of Wednesday evening, the 23-acre fire was 80% contained.
About 2,500 residents were ordered to evacuate for several hours Tuesday while crews worked to battle the fire. The evacuation warning impacted about 1,400 people, according to Muñoz.
That evacuation order and warning for affected residents was lifted by 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Muñoz said the dense undergrowth of the terrain, combined with onshore winds, was making the firefight difficult. Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were assisting in the fight.
Two firefighters were taken to a local hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion, Muñoz added. They are expected to recover.
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The Del Mar Fairgrounds was set up as an established temporary evacuation point.
Video Below: Live coverage as crews battle brush fire near Torrey Pines State Park
The Del Mar Heights Road and Carmel Valley Road off-ramps on Interstate 5 were closed because of the brush fire, Caltrans San Diego said. Those ramps have since reopened.
All roads in the area that were previously closed reopened by 8:45 p.m., police said.
Several fire departments worked to knock out the fire. Fire crews remained at the scene throughout the night and Wednesday to ensure no hot spots flare up again.
Jaime Chambers contributed to this report.
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