Smoke from the fire as seen from an ALERTCalifornia camera. (ALERTCalifornia)
SAN DIEGO, CA — A brush fire forced evacuations, threatened structures and injured at least one person Wednesday morning in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego.
The blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. at Bernardo Center Drive and Camino del Norte, near Interstate 15, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Crews aboard water-dropping helicopters and multiple fire engines worked to extinguish the flames. As of late Wednesday morning, the fire had burned at least three acres and was 0% contained, according to Cal Fire San Diego.
The fire — initially called the Center Fire and later renamed the Bernardo Fire — has the potential to spread to 100 acres, officials said. The flames were threatening nearby structures.
One person suffered burn injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
“Structures are threatened,” the department said on social media. “Evacuations imminent.”
Evacuation Orders and Warnings
The San Diego Police Department issued evacuation orders and warnings for the surrounding areas.
“If you are told to leave, do so immediately,” officials said.
Evacuation orders were issued for the following zones: SDC-1219, SDC-1220, SDC-1299. Evacuation warnings were issued for the following zones: SDC-1215, SDC-1217, SDC-1297. See an interactive map here.
“We are monitoring the situation and are in contact with the impacted school sites and their families,” Poway Unified School District said on social media. “Emergency responders are on scene.”
Evacuation Shelters
A temporary evacuation point was established at the At Home parking lot at 12080 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego.
Road Closures
Authorities closed I-15 at Camino Del Norte, Bernardo Center and Camino Del Norte, and Paseo Montanoso at Avenida De Los Lobos and Camino Del Norte.
The northbound and southbound I-15 off-ramps to Camino del Norte were closed due to firefighting activity, according to Caltrans.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The San Diego Police department is currently assisting SDFD with a large fire in Rancho Bernardo near Camino Del Norte and the 15 Freeway The areas in pink on the map above have continued ORDERS to evacuate at this time. Areas in Yellow are under evacuation WARNINGS. pic.twitter.com/Kk1cNcFvvs
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) January 22, 2025
CENTER FIRE: a brush fire has erupted in rancho Bernardo area. Potential for 100 acres. One person transported to hospital with burn injuries. Structures are threatened. Evacuations imminent. pic.twitter.com/4asEKtoZql
— SDFD (@SDFD) January 22, 2025
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