Triple Threat: Fires Ignite Across San Diego County Amid Strong Winds

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A trio of wildfires erupted across San Diego County on Thursday afternoon, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, threatening residential areas, major roadways, and a PGA golf tournament. The blazes come amid a week of heightened fire activity in the region.

The first fire broke out near Gilman Drive in La Jolla shortly after 2 p.m., close to Interstate 5 and the UC San Diego campus. The location is less than a mile from the Torrey Pines golf course, where the Farmers Insurance Open is underway this week. Smoke and flames were visible from nearby neighborhoods, though no evacuations were immediately ordered.

A second fire ignited on Otay Mountain near the U.S.-Mexico border, with flames rapidly climbing the hillside. Cal Fire San Diego reported the blaze had burned 10 acres by 2:30 p.m. and warned of a “dangerous rate of spread.” Officials estimated the fire could grow to 200 acres, prompting additional resources to be deployed. A fixed-wing aircraft was observed making water drops to combat the fast-moving flames.

“We work with firefighters in Mexico,” said Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson, emphasizing cross-border collaboration. “There have been multiple circumstances where our firefighters have gone into Mexico to assist on fires as well.” Johnson noted that Cal Fire uses advanced tools, including AI-powered cameras through Alert California, to monitor fire activity on both sides of the border.

A third fire, smaller in scale, began in a homeless encampment in Mission Valley earlier Thursday morning. This follows other recent blazes in Mission Valley near the Fashion Valley Mall and in Rancho Bernardo, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to wildfires.

Firefighters face additional challenges due to the forecasted Santa Ana winds, which are expected to reach their strongest levels of the week. These dry, gusty winds can accelerate fire spread and complicate containment efforts.

Residents are urged to stay informed through local alerts and the Alert California app, which provides real-time updates on fire activity. As the situation evolves, officials continue to assess the threat posed by each fire and coordinate resources accordingly.