Brush fire
A firefighter sprays brush as crews continued their work in Talmadge to contain the Fairmount Fire. Photo credit: @SDFD via X

Crews took firm control over the Fairmount fire Friday, with containment at 80% the day after flames threatened homes and forced Talmadge residents to flee.

Three engine companies will patrol the area “all night,” according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department to be sure “nothing flares up.” Plans for Saturday, officials said, are for on-duty crews to tackle the remaining 20% for full containment. 

Fifteen SDFD crews monitored mop-up operations through Friday while Montezuma Road between Collwood Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue remained closed.

The fire, which damaged six homes, broke out Thursday afternoon, sending police scrambling to order residents away from neighborhoods southeast of a broad swath of brush-filled green space off Montezuma and Fairmount.

Officers quickly swept through whole blocks, including Lila and Lucille drives, calling for residents to leave immediately.

The evacuations extended south of Alvarado Canyon Road, west of Hewlett Drive, north of Monroe Avenue and east of Montezuma, and police shut down several streets that lead to neighborhoods to the west of San Diego State.

Authorities lifted the evacuation orders by 9 p.m. Thursday, allowing residents to return home. Many, some carrying their pets, found themselves at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center, the place designated for evacuees to gather.

Units from multiple agencies, including CalFire San Diego, assisted SDFD in responding to the fire. Copter 3 joined the firefight, with more air support called in to drop water and retardant on the flames.

Updated 5:35 p.m. Nov. 1, 2024