Monday, 27 July 2026, 23:47
A fast-moving brush fire, dubbed the Creelman Fire, erupted Wednesday afternoon in Ramona, California, prompting immediate evacuation orders and warnings. The blaze, located near the 310 block of Creelman Lane, has burned approximately 347 acres and is threatening several structures in the residential area.
The Creelman Fire ignited around 3:06 p.m. in light to medium fuels, spreading at a critical to dangerous rate, according to Cal Fire. At around 3:30 p.m., the fire had spread to 40 acres and was burning at a critical rate, then jumped to 80 acres within 30 minutes, according to Cal Fire. By 4:30 p.m., the fire had grown to 315 acres and was 0% contained. Multiple fire engines and air resources have been dispatched to combat the flames. The San Diego County Fire Department confirmed that structures on Gem Lane are under threat.
Large black smoke columns were visible on AlertCalifornia/UC San Diego wildfire cameras, indicating intense fire activity. Firefighters are working to establish containment lines. By evening, crews had contained about 5% of the fire. Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said dropping fire retardant helped significantly slow the fire’s spread. Two helicopters capable of nightwork were expected to continue making drops after sundown to take advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity. As of 8:55 p.m., containment had increased to 20%.
At one point, two people were trapped behind flames, but a Cal Fire helicopter was able to land, load them, and whisk them to safety. No injuries have been reported. The helicopter involved in the rescue was the new S70-i Firehawk 609 based at the Ramona Air Attack Base, which was able to aggressively get in and pick up the individuals.
Personnel and equipment will remain committed through the night and over the coming days to strengthen and improve containment lines, extinguish hot spots, and mitigate hazards throughout the fire area. Crews worked throughout the night strengthening control lines with the assistance of night flying aircraft. By Thursday morning, containment had reached 60%. The fire remains at 347 acres. Crews will continue to mitigate hazards throughout the day.
With three water-dropping helicopters and 300 firefighters assigned for Thursday, crews were making steady progress against the Creelman fire in Ramona, and by mid-morning the more than 1,500 people who had evacuated a day prior were allowed to return home. Fire officials reported that forward progress of the fire was halted around 7 a.m. and the blaze, which has charred nearly 350 acres of brush, was 60% contained. One accessory dwelling unit was destroyed, and inspectors planned to take a closer look Thursday to see if any other structures were damaged in the sprawling San Diego Country Estates community. Crews were able to expand containment lines overnight with the help of two night-flying helicopters making water drops. Firefighters also took advantage of cooler temperatures and the wind dying down. Evacuation orders for an estimated 1,560 residents were lifted around 10:15 a.m. Thursday after the conditions were determined to be safe.
“We are looking really good,” said Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette. “The guys were able to put in a lot of work last night.” Winds of 20 to 25 mph were expected to return to the fire zone, similar to what was seen Wednesday. One factor that would be different — the temperature. “It is going to be significantly hotter than yesterday, up to 100 degrees if not more in the area,” Cornette said. “Our firefighters are prepping for the increased heat.”
There were 16 aircraft dropping water and fire retardant on the fast-moving Creelman fire Wednesday. The fire started on Creelman Lane just west of the Simon County Reserve around 3 p.m. Wednesday and quickly spread, pushed by winds out of the west. Within 90 minutes, the fire had grown to 300 acres and lapped the edge of San Diego Country Estates, a community of more than 10,000 residents. Cal Fire mapping indicated the fire footprint had reached close to homes along Oak Springs Road on the western edge of the development.
“There was a steady wind out of the west of 20 mph and the fire was burning in alignment with the terrain, so those two factors plus the dry vegetation created the dangerous rate of spread,” Cornette said of Wednesday’s fire progression. “It was moving extremely fast.” Fire officials responded with a large aerial assault and hundreds of firefighters on the ground. On Wednesday, 16 aircraft were fighting the blaze — eight air tankers and six helicopters, with two air attack platforms — planes that choreograph the water and retardant drops and make sure the aircraft maintain safe distances from each other. That heavy response “was very helpful,” Cornette said, as was the upgraded Ramona airport, which allowed for air tankers to quickly reload with retardant and return to making drops. “It was essential in keeping the fire out of the houses and limiting the damage,” he said. The newly upgraded Ramona Air Attack Base, with its reconstructed tarmac and new holding bays, was instrumental in the use of air tankers, which were able to reload with retardant in as fast as three minutes before returning to the fire. “The quick turnaround allows us to just fight this fire and constantly put retardant and water on it, while our personnel on the ground are able to cut hand lines and hose lines around it,” said Cal Fire Capt. Josh Cormode. He said about 300 personnel and 16 aircraft fought the blaze.
Flames from the Creelman fire came close to a house in the Ryland Homes neighborhood of Ramona on Wednesday, but firefighters were able to save the home.
Over on Oak Springs Drive, flames destroyed a family’s backyard porch. It belonged to Harvey and Carolyn Mendiola. They had it decked with a tiki-themed bar and hand-carved tikis. “We had my nephew's wedding here,” said Harvey Mendiola. Carolyn Mendiola added, “We had…renewed our vows here.” The fire quickly charred the Ramona Mountain that peered over their home and their next-door neighbors’ houses. The flames swept over the Mendiolas’ backyard. It burned trees, trash bins, patio chairs and other belongings. “Within seconds, not a minute, seconds, that wind picked up,” said Harvey Mendiola. “This whole entire mountainside, just, like, ignited. I felt that heat. My eyes burned. It was hard to breathe.” The couple said they planned to rebuild their porch. “This is just material,” Harvey Mendiola said. “But most importantly, you know, we have our house, and I want to give thanks to, you know, the fire department for being a big blessing to Ramona.” In addition to the Mendiolas’ porch, a gazebo filled with wood carvings also owned by them was destroyed, according to reports. Several other small structures were damaged, including an art studio and a shed. Cindy Dodson, a resident of San Diego Country Estates, evacuated to the Red Cross shelter at Ramona High School. Later that evening when she tried to return home, she was turned away and spent the night in her car with her two dogs and turtle behind the Country Village Store. Upon returning home on July 23, she discovered her art studio was completely burned. “I had a photo of my grandmother in there that I won’t be able to replace,” she said. She lost precious artwork, art supplies, and musical instruments. Dodson said she is grateful the firefighters saved her home. “If Cal Fire hadn’t been on their game it would have been so much worse,” she said.
As of July 23, 2026, at 5:24 p.m., containment had increased to 90 percent, and all road closures were lifted. The fire remains at 347 acres. As of July 24, 2026, at 6:41 a.m., containment reached 95 percent, and firefighters continue to cool hot spots and build further containment.
By Friday morning, the fire was 95% contained, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters were expected to continue extinguishing hot spots and build further containment throughout the day. By Friday, July 24, the fire was fully contained, according to Cal Fire Capt. Josh Cormode. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Cal Fire prevention officers. Just over 1,000 people were affected by mandatory evacuation orders, plus an unknown number by warnings.
Level 3 evacuation orders have been issued for areas north of Creelman Lane, extending east to Gunn Stage Road and north to Julian Road, crossing Old Julian Highway. All areas around Vista Ramona Highway are also under Level 3 warning. Additionally, evacuations were ordered for neighborhoods north of San Vicente Road, west of Arena Way, south of Old Julian Highway, and east of Griffith Road. Warnings also were issued for communities around Gem Lane and Hanson Lane. Residents in these zones must leave immediately.
More specifically, evacuation orders are in place east of San Vicente Road and both sides of Creelman. Past Griffith Road, they extend north to state Route 78 and East Old Julian Highway, and south to San Vicente. The eastern boundaries include Scarbery Road, Arena Way and Sargeant Road. In addition, evacuation warnings extend north and south of the fire’s flashpoint. To the north, the area runs between Keyes Road, past Griffith, and north of Creelman to Steffy Road. They also include areas north of San Vicente, including Gem Lane, San Vicente View and Ashley Road. One of the warning zones is near the San Vicente Golf Course.
A temporary evacuation shelter has been set up at Ramona High School, located at 1401 Hanson Lane. The Red Cross also opened an overnight shelter at Olive Peirce Middle School. For large animals, an evacuation point is available at 421 Aqua Lane (Ramona Rodeo). The evacuation shelter has been updated as of 7:25 p.m.
Road closures due to the fire included Vista Ramona Road at Old Julian Highway, San Vincente Road at Wildcat Canyon Road, Ashley Road and Creelman Lane, and Third Street and Old Julian Highway.
All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of 10:02 a.m. on July 23, 2026, after conditions were determined to be safe. A county spokesperson said there were 1,785 notification calls about evacuation orders and warnings sent to cellphones and made to landlines Wednesday.
Ramona is a rural community in San Diego County, known for its dry vegetation and wildfire-prone terrain. The fire comes during a heat advisory for the entire county, with extreme heat alerts for desert areas, exacerbating fire conditions. The region has a history of fast-moving wildfires, such as the 2003 Cedar Fire, which devastated parts of San Diego County. Winds in the area were between 20 to 25 mph out of the west, according to the National Weather Service, and temperatures in Ramona were in the mid-80s Wednesday afternoon. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District declared a smoke advisory for eastern San Diego County, noting winds were moderate and blowing the smoke east. The smoke from the Creelman Fire has prompted an air quality advisory for parts of San Diego County, with officials warning residents to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed.
In a separate incident, a brush fire in the Rainbow area of San Diego’s North County forced evacuations Wednesday morning. The Rainbow 3 Fire broke out just after 10 a.m. in vegetation near Rainbow Crest Road, scorching at least 20 acres as of 10:50 a.m. and threatening structures. Evacuation orders were issued for Zone SDC-0111 and an evacuation warning for Zone SDC-0110. A temporary evacuation shelter was established at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (1200 Old Highway 395) in Fallbrook.
Wildfires are a recurring threat in Southern California, often driven by Santa Ana winds or extreme heat. The Ramona Air Attack Base recently reopened after months-long construction, enhancing local firefighting capabilities. The cause of the Creelman Fire remains under investigation. In response to the fire risk, San Diego Country Estates resident Richard Drewery has been organizing a Firewise community, part of a nationwide program administered by the National Fire Protection Association. The group has 225 members and focuses on hardening homes against wildfires by removing flammable materials within zero to 5 feet and spacing out vegetation from 5 to 50 feet.
Residents in affected areas should follow evacuation orders and monitor official alerts from Cal Fire and San Diego County emergency services. The situation remains dynamic, with fire crews working to protect lives and property. Stay tuned for updates on containment and road closures.
