A fast-moving brush fire erupted in Mission Valley, San Diego, prompting evacuations and road closures. The fire, which started near Friars Road and Fashion Valley Mall, was quickly contained by firefighters. Despite minor damage to some apartments, no major structural damages or injuries were reported. Power outages affected thousands due to the fire.
A rapidly spreading brush fire in Mission Valley, San Diego, prompted evacuations and road closures on Tuesday. The fire, which started near Friars Road and the Fashion Valley Mall, was quickly tackled by over 100 firefighters and air support. Although the fire caused some minor damage to nearby apartments, no major structural damage or injuries were reported. The incident also resulted in significant power outages in the area, affecting thousands of residents.
The brush fire erupted shortly after noon on the north side of Friars Road, near the Fashion Valley Mall in Mission Valley. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department reported that the fire quickly spread up a hillside, covering an area of 15 to 20 acres. In response, police closed a section of the busy roadway and evacuated nearby buildings as firefighters, aided by water-dropping helicopters, worked to contain the blaze. By early afternoon, the fire's spread had been halted, and evacuation orders were lifted by 4 p.m. [1] [2].
As the fire spread, evacuation orders were issued for residents in the affected areas. A temporary evacuation point was established at Snapdragon Stadium's west parking lot for those displaced by the fire. The San Diego County Office of Education's Linda Vista campus and Linda Vista Innovation Center were also impacted, remaining closed for the day. Road closures included sections of Friars Road and Linda Vista Road. By 3:45 p.m., all evacuation orders were lifted, and the roads were gradually reopened [3] [4].
The fire caused significant power outages in the area, affecting around 3,000 people. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) reported that transmission lines tripped offline due to heavy smoke, and power was de-energized for safety at the request of fire officials. Over 100 firefighters, including crews from San Diego, Poway, and Chula Vista, along with 20 fire engines and air support, were deployed to combat the fire. Despite the challenges posed by the blaze, the firefighters managed to contain it by early afternoon, preventing major structural damage [3] [4].
The Mission Valley brush fire, which erupted near Friars Road and the Fashion Valley Mall, was swiftly contained by the concerted efforts of over 100 firefighters and air support. Although the fire prompted evacuations and road closures, it resulted in only minor damage to some apartments and no major injuries. Power outages affected thousands due to the fire's impact on transmission lines. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of wildfires in the region, exacerbated by dry conditions and strong winds.
"We heard the fire alarm and didn't think much of it and then I looked at my window. I saw smoke. So, like, 'Oh, this doesn't look like a drill.'" - Halim Hamed
"SDG&E had no reports of outages or system issues in the area prior to fire officials being initially dispatched to the scene." - Anthony Wagner