SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Crews stopped a fire that erupted in La Jolla Thursday afternoon, which prompted 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.
The forward progress on the fire was stopped at around two acres.
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 175 firefighters were called out to respond to the fire, authorities said.
It led to traffic congestion in the area, including a closure of the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to Gilman Drive.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area entirely while crews continue responding to the fire.
Crews will continue mopping up for the next four to five hours, according to authorities.
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.
