A bush fire broke out near California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) in San Diego county on April 5, 2026, prompting authorities to evacuate schools and homes near the scene of the fire.
Identified as the “Moree Fire,” fire crews of Cal Fire and San Diego County Fire worked together to contain the blaze. Ground and air response were deployed to contain the fire, according to a social media update by Cal Fire.
The fire started at around 3 p.m. near 500 Block of La Moree Road in San Marcos, according to a Fox5 report.
If you live in San Marcos, be aware of increased law enforcement and firefighting activity. A fire is burning near the 500 block of La Moree Road.
An EVACUATION ORDER is in place for the shaded areas in red shown in the map below. It means everyone in the impacted areas must… pic.twitter.com/3NKX7jiUbe
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) April 5, 2026
The fire originated in a hilly area near Barham Drive and La Moree Road, along the eastern side of the CSUSM campus, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Initially, the fire was burning a medium rate in heavy fuel, covering around 2 acres of land by around 4 p.m., the report said citing Cal Fire spokesperson Capt. Mike Cornette.
Two helicopter crews, two air tankers, and seven engines were deployed to contain the blaze, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Authorities issued evacuation orders as the fire spread to the neighboring areas.
Warning residents of the fire in a social media post, the San Diego Sheriff said that a temporary evacuation point had been opened at the Mission Hills High School.
#UPDATE Due to improved containment, @SDSheriff has lifted the EVACUATION ORDER for the #MoreeFire in San Marcos.
An EVACUATION WARNING is in effect for the shaded area in yellow shown in the map below.
You can also view the map here: https://t.co/YTrk3J2GGd.
At this time,… https://t.co/aEqjy5aT3v pic.twitter.com/qopGAq3bf3
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) April 6, 2026
Asking residents to urgently vacate the premises if they felt at risk, the sheriff’s office added that there was increased law enforcement and firefighters present in the area due to the fire.
The main campus of the CSUSM was also included in the evacuation order, according to Watch Duty. Everyone was asked to evacuate from the University Village Apartments.
Citing San Marcos Fire Department Division Chief Jason Nailon, The San Diego Union-Tribune said one structure may have been damaged in the fire. However, no further details were available.
Later in the day, the sheriff’s office announced on X that the evacuation order was lifted in the neighborhood.
The evacuation orders were lifted at around 5:45 p.m., with the order in some zones downgraded to an evacuation warning area in some zones, according to Fox 5.
However, certain sections of the road were closed for traffic, except for residents, as firefighters were still working in the area.
Walnut Hills Street and La Moree Road (from Campus Street to Camino Hermosa) were closed to traffic.
The temporary evacuation point was also closed.
UPDATE: 4/5 @ 7:20: All evacuations have been lifted. All roads are open. Be sure to download the free Genasys Protect app on your mobile device for the latest information and to receive updates on local emergencies in your area: https://t.co/csFZjBhfkn. pic.twitter.com/LgN6A7PKGq
— City of San Marcos, California (@sanmarcoscity) April 6, 2026
By the time the fire was fully contained, it had burned 1.93 acres, according to Watch Duty.
Later in the evening, all sections of the roads were opened to traffic, the City of San Marcos updated on X.
While the official cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, Nailon told Fox 5 that strong winds may have led to the fire. He, however, emphasized that California is vulnerable to fires all year long.
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