Crews Stop 2-Acre Brush Fire at Miramar Interchange, Evacuations Hit Jamul

Key Takeaways

• A brush fire near the SR-163 and SR-52 interchange in San Diego's Miramar area burned 2 acres Friday afternoon.
• Crews knocked down the fire by 3:45 p.m., about 45 minutes after it started.
• CHP closed several ramps, including the transition from northbound SR-163 to eastbound SR-52; most reopened by 4 p.m.
• Separate brush fires in Jamul sent smoke over the area and forced evacuations, according to NBC 7 video reports.
• The sources did not mention any injuries.

Small Fire, Big Traffic Impact

The fire sparked around 3 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, near the intersection of state Route 163 and Route 52 in the Miramar area. By 3:45 p.m., fire crews had stopped forward progress and contained the blaze to 2 acres, according to NBC 7 San Diego.

The California Highway Patrol shut down the transition ramp from northbound SR-163 to eastbound SR-52 while crews worked. The westbound SR-52 off-ramp to Kearny Villa Road was also closed. By about 4 p.m., the ramps were reopened, but law enforcement kept a few safety closures in place. The northbound SR-163 on-ramp to eastbound SR-52 and the westbound SR-52 off-ramp to Kearny Villa Road remained closed for a time.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials tweeted that the following road closures were still in place by law enforcement agencies for safety: northbound SR-163 on-ramp to eastbound SR-52 and westbound SR-52 to Kearny Villa Road. They added that it was not immediately clear if Kearny Villa Road had been reopened.

Jamul Fires Trigger Smoke and Evacuations

In a separate incident, video reports from NBC 7 showed a brush fire sending smoke over Jamul, an unincorporated community in eastern San Diego County. Another video report said a brush fire in Jamul forced evacuations. The reports did not include acreage or containment details.

Local California Context

San Diego's dry brush and warm afternoon winds create a high fire risk, especially near highway interchanges. The Miramar fire disrupted a key commuter route between Interstate 15, Interstate 805, and State Route 52. Residents near Jamul were told to watch for evacuation orders as crews worked.

Background

San Diego County has faced large wildfires for decades, including the 2003 Cedar Fire and the 2007 Witch Creek Fire. Many fires start along roadways, where hot vehicle parts or dragging chains can ignite dry grass. Quick containment of small fires is critical to preventing wind-driven disasters.

What to Do Next

Drivers should expect temporary traffic impacts around SR-163 and SR-52, even after ramps reopen. Jamul residents should monitor local alerts and be ready to evacuate if orders change. Fire agencies ask everyone to avoid the area and report new smoke immediately.

Sources and Materials

• nbcsandiego