Fire Prompts Evacuations Near Friars Road In San Diego's Mission Valley

A brush fire, now known as the Friars Fire, erupted shortly after noon today along Friars Road, just west of State Route 163, leading to immediate evacuation orders for nearby residents. According to local authorities, although crews have stopped the forward progress of the fire across the street from Fashion Valley mall, the situation remains serious with evacuations still in place early Tuesday afternoon.

The evacuation order affects neighborhoods north of Friars Road and west of State Route 163. The specific boundaries of the evacuation zone, according to the Genesys app, extend roughly from the freeway west to Via Las Cumbres, and from Friars Road as far north as Genesee Avenue. Residents within these boundaries are urged to evacuate immediately for their safety, although evacuation warnings for a larger swath have since been canceled. Snapdragon Stadium is currently serving as a temporary evacuation point for those displaced by the fire.

Firefighters are currently managing flames that had been advancing uphill, posing a significant threat to a large apartment complex in the vicinity. Helicopters were deployed to drop water on the fire as it moved uphill toward the complex. The rapid movement of the fire initially heightened concerns about potential property damage and the safety of those living nearby.

In response to the fire, the San Diego Police Department has secured the area by closing off roads, including SR-163 off-ramps to Friars and a stretch of Friars west of the freeway. This action is to facilitate emergency services' access and to keep the public out of harm's way.

The San Diego County Office of Education evacuated its Linda Vista campus and the Linda Vista Innovation Center due to the fire. Officials confirmed via posts on X (Twitter) that these locations would remain closed on Tuesday but are set to reopen for regular business hours on Wednesday. The San Diego Humane Society was placed under an evacuation warning and on "high alert," but according to a spokesperson, they did not need to evacuate.

Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and to comply with all instructions from emergency services. For more information and updates, visit the official San Diego Fire-Rescue Department website or follow their social media channels.

The Friars Fire is just one of several that fire crews have battled in San Diego County in the past 24 hours. The Lilac Fire in the area of Bonsall prompted evacuations for nearby areas while burning approximately 80 acres, and the Pala Fire burned through about 17 acres in the area of Interstate 15 southbound and Stewart Canyon Road near Fallbrook. These fires come as much of San Diego County's inland areas are under yet another Red Flag Warning for critical fire danger, caused by strong Santa Ana winds, low relative humidity, and acute drought conditions.

Note: This article was updated on January 21, 2025, at 2:06 PM PST. For real-time updates and further assistance, please contact local authorities or check the emergency services' official communications.