Evacuation orders lifted in San Diego after brush fire erupts near university
The Montezuma/Fairmount Fire ignited near San Diego State University and grew to nearly 40 acres.
San Diego firefighters working to fight new wildfire named Montezuma Fire
The Montezuma Fire is prompting mandatory evacuations as fire crews work to contain the blaze.
SAN DIEGO – All evacuation orders have been lifted in parts of San Diego after a brush fire erupted near the San Diego State University campus.
The Montezuma/Fairmount Fire had scorched almost 40 acres by Thursday afternoon. Authorities ordered people to evacuate several neighborhoods to the west of the university, including an elementary school.
By Thursday evening, firefighters said 25% of the fire was contained. Six homes were damaged, and no injuries were reported.
The fire appeared to have been sparked due to strong winds blowing through an area with overgrown brush and palm trees, FOX 5 in San Diego reports.
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Video and photos from the scene showed multiple firefighting units were at the scene as smoke filled the sky. Helicopters were also spotted dropping water on the blaze.
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Firefighters prepare to drop water on Montezuma Fire in San Diego
San Diego Fire Department air support works to drop water on the fire, which started Thursday.
Winds appeared to be relatively tame Thursday afternoon, but the height of Southern California’s fire season typically continues into November due in part to gusty Santa Ana winds. Activity in the northern part of the state tends to decrease a bit earlier during the fall.
Smoke rises from the scene of the Montezuma Fire in San Diego, California, on Oct. 31, 2024.
(SDFD/X)