Evacuations lifted after fire erupts in La Jolla
Jan 23, 2025
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Crews are responding to a fire that erupted in La Jolla Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuations in the area. The blaze was reported in the area of Gilman Drive and Via Alicante around 2:30 p.m.
The fire, dubbed the "Gilman Fire," was burning very close to structures, including several multi-family residential units. Forward progress on the fire was stopped shortly before 3:30 p.m., according to the University of California, San Diego Triton Alert X/Twitter page. There was no immediate threat to campus, it added.
Fire with ‘dangerous rate of spread’ erupts at Otay Mountain
Evacuation orders were issued for the area bordered by La Jolla Village Drive to the north, La Jolla Parkway to the south, Gilman Drive to the east and Torrey Pines Road to the west.
Evacuation warnings were added to areas between La Jolla Shores Drive and Torrey Pines Road down to the La Jolla Natural Park and Hillside Drive, as of 2:50 p.m. All evacuation orders and warnings were lifted, as of 3:50 p.m.
The temporary evacuation point was located at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology near the University of California, San Diego Medical Center at 9420 Athena Circle, Lot P781.
A spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District told FOX 5/KUSI that 70 children in the afterschool program at Torrey Pines Elementary School were sheltering in place waiting to be picked up by parents/guardians, and that the program had been canceled due to the fire.
About 150 firefighters have been called out to respond to the fire, according to city of San Diego spokesperson Jose Ysea.
At 3:19 p.m., the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to Gilman Drive was closed off, according to authorities.
People driving near the area were being diverted to Nobel Drive and La Jolla Village Drive, Ysea added. Drivers were advised to avoid the area entirely while crews continue responding to the fire.
This fire started as much of the county is under a Red Flag Warning due to another bout of strong Santa Ana winds. There was about 6% humidity in La Jolla when the fire broke out, weather reports show.
The Gilman Fire is just one of several brush fires that have occurred over the past few days, fueled by a combination of low humidity and Santa Ana winds. One of these included a fast-moving fire that erupted on Otay Mountain just minutes prior to when the Gilman Fire was reported.
Wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour have also reportedly stopped play at the Farmers Insurance Open at nearby Torrey Pines Golf Course, which started Wednesday morning and is scheduled to continue until Saturday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.