[01-23-2025] San Diego County, CA – Gilman Fire In La Jolla Contained After Burning Three Acres, Evacuations Lifted

Firefighters contained a brush fire, dubbed the “Gilman Fire,” in La Jolla, San Diego, on Thursday afternoon, January 23, 2025, after it burned approximately three acres and prompted evacuations in the surrounding area.

According to officials, the fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. near the Gilman Drive and Via Alicante intersection. The blaze, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity, threatened several multi-family residential units before crews stopped its forward progress by 3:30 p.m.

Evacuation orders were issued for areas 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. Warnings were extended to parts of La Jolla Shores Drive and Torrey Pines Road but were lifted by 3:50 p.m. A temporary evacuation point was set up at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology at 9420 Athena Circle.

San Diego Unified School District officials reported that 70 children in the afterschool program at Torrey Pines Elementary School were sheltered in place until they were picked up by parents. Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day.

The fire response resulted in traffic congestion, including the closure of the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to Gilman Drive. Authorities expect crews to remain on the scene for the next several hours to mop up and address any remaining hot spots. Residents are advised to avoid the area while operations continue.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and it occurred amid a Red Flag Warning in San Diego County due to strong winds and low humidity.