Fire in the Riverbed —
Santee Brush Fire Near
Town Center Pkwy
Night-time wildfire activity near urban infrastructure in San Diego County, captured via the ALERTCalifornia and UC San Diego / SDG&E camera network. Source: ALERTCalifornia / UC San Diego / SDG&E
A brush fire reported at 6:42 p.m. Sunday broke out in the San Diego River riverbed near the 100 block of River Rock Court — a service road behind Town Center Parkway in Santee, California. The fire burned in the riverbed between townhomes to the north and Town Center Parkway Plaza to the south. The Santee Fire Department and the San Diego Fire Department responded, with San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies assisting on scene.
Shoppers at a nearby Walmart and a Michaels craft store were evacuated as a precaution. No residential neighbourhoods were placed under an evacuation order. A firefighting helicopter was called in to make aerial water drops. No injuries or damage to any structures were immediately reported. The fire grew to an estimated 5 acres before containment lines were established, and officials subsequently confirmed that the forward progress of the fire had been stopped.
The ALERTCalifornia camera network — operated in partnership with UC San Diego and SDG&E — provided real-time imagery of bright orange flames burning toward the south, where the shopping centre is located, giving emergency managers early situational awareness of the fire’s direction.
“From the eight freeway, you could see the smoke, and I said, ‘Wow, it’s March.’ So early in the season, but very active fire for us in Santee.” — Santee Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Moyneur, speaking to FOX 5/KUSI at the scene
The San Diego County Sheriff’s official update asked the public to avoid the area and later confirmed that firefighters had stopped the fire’s advance. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Interactive — Wildfire Terms Decoded
What Do Fire Officials Actually Mean?
When wildfires break out, officials use specific terms that carry very precise meanings. Tap each stage to read the verified definition and the explanation given by CAL FIRE Captain Robert Johnson — as confirmed by his briefing covered by CBS 8 at CAL FIRE headquarters in San Diego.
Know Your Alert Level
Evacuation Order vs. Evacuation Warning
These two alerts carry very different urgency levels. The definitions below are taken directly from Cal OES official guidance.
Leave Immediately
There is an immediate threat to life and property. You must evacuate now. Do not delay to gather belongings. Officials decide when and where to evacuate — leave promptly when told to do so.
Prepare to Leave
An area may be affected and people should prepare to leave. Those with pets, livestock, or who require additional time should leave now. Remain alert for updates from local authorities.
Source: Cal OES | CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire — Go Evacuation Guide
The ALERTCalifornia camera network — run by UC San Diego in partnership with SDG&E and other agencies — is used by emergency managers and first responders to monitor wildfires, support evacuations, and maintain real-time situational awareness. Cameras monitoring the Santee and Crest area provided the first visual confirmation of this fire’s direction toward the shopping centre.
Incident Location — Santee, CA
Where the Fire Started
The fire originated in the San Diego River riverbed near River Rock Court — behind the Town Center Parkway retail strip in Santee.
River Rock Ct, Santee CA
Wildfire Preparedness — Interactive Checklist
Build Your Wildfire Go-Bag
CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire guidance recommends having these essentials ready before any evacuation order is issued. Tap each item to mark it as packed.
- ✓ 3-day supply of non-perishable food
- ✓ 3 gallons of water per person
- ✓ Necessary prescriptions or medications
- ✓ First aid kit & sanitation supplies
- ✓ Flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- ✓ Map with at least 2 evacuation routes
- ✓ Extra car keys, credit cards, cash
- ✓ Copies of important documents (ID, passports)
- ✓ Change of clothes & eyeglasses / contacts
- ✓ Pet food & water
- ✓ Sturdy shoes near your bed for night evacuations
- ✓ Phone & laptop chargers
0 / 12 items packed
Full Evacuation Guide — CAL FIRE →What Was Covered
The 5-acre brush fire in the San Diego River riverbed near River Rock Court and Town Center Parkway in Santee was reported at 6:42 p.m. on Sunday. The Santee Fire Department, the San Diego Fire Department, and San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies responded. A Walmart and a Michaels craft store were evacuated. No residential neighbourhoods were under an evacuation order. Officials later confirmed that the fire’s forward progress had been stopped, with no injuries or structural damage reported.
This piece covered the verified incident facts, official evacuation alert definitions from Cal OES, wildfire terminology from CAL FIRE, the role of the ALERTCalifornia camera network, and the preparedness checklist from CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire guidance. For related coverage on environmental emergencies, see our reporting on the use of controlled burns for ecosystem health and how extreme weather is affecting ecosystems worldwide.
