SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It was the fire that came back from the dead. A puff of wind and a simple ember ignited the beloved Del Mar Heights hiking trails a few hours after a fire was already knocked down.
A wind-driven brush fire reignited in Del Mar Heights Tuesday afternoon, prompting nearby residents to evacuate their homes. That evacuation order has since been lifted.
Firefighters were called back to battle the dangerous wind and fuel driven fire in the Torrey Pines State Park.
The fire first started around 10:30 a.m. north of Del Mar Scenic Parkway, and crews quickly stopped the blaze, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
But the flames reignited around 3 p.m., when a spot fire started outside the containment lines, SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said during an afternoon news conference.
The fire was burning in the area of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, sending a plume of smoke over Interstate 5.
Canyons were engulfed in smoke and flames. Air helicopters lined up to knock back the head of the fire, and hand crews dug in.
By 5:30 p.m., the forward rate of progress had been stopped, SDFD said. The fire was estimated to be 19 acres and was 5% contained.
About 2,500 residents were ordered to evacuate for several hours Tuesday while crews worked to battle the fire. The evacuation warning impacted about 1,400 people, according to Muñoz.
That evacuation order and warning for affected residents was lifted as of 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Muñoz said the dense undergrowth of the terrain, combined with onshore winds, was making the firefight difficult. Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were assisting in the firefight.
Two firefighters were taken to a local hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion, Muñoz added. They are expected to recover.
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The Del Mar Fairgrounds was set up as an established temporary evacuation point.
Video Below: Live coverage as crews battle brush fire near Torrey Pines State Park
The Del Mar Heights Road and Carmel Valley Road off-ramps on Interstate 5 were closed because of the brush fire, Caltrans San Diego said. Those ramps have reopened.
The San Diego Police Department reports all road closures in the Del Mar Heights fire area have been fully lifted.
Several fire departments worked to knock out the fire. Fire crews will remain at the scene throughout the night and Wednesday to make sure no hot spots flare up again.
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