College Area brush fire prompts road closures, 'proactive evacuations' underway

What happened?

On Tuesday afternoon, a brush fire broke out in the College Area neighborhood of San Diego, prompting road closures and "proactive evacuations" in the area. The fire was first reported around 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of College Avenue and Montezuma Road, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and gusty winds.

By 5 p.m., the fire had grown to approximately 10 acres and was burning "at a moderate rate of spread," according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD). There were no immediate reports of any injuries or damage to structures, but the fire was threatening several homes in the area.

Timely response

The SDFD responded to the fire with a large contingent of firefighters and equipment, including air tankers and helicopters. The department also issued "proactive evacuation" orders for residents in the affected area, urging them to leave their homes immediately.

The evacuation orders were issued out of an abundance of caution, as the fire was burning in close proximity to several densely populated neighborhoods. Residents were advised to evacuate to the nearest evacuation center, which was established at San Diego City College.