Wildfire, San Diego County Valleys
- When
- May 13, 9:45 AM PST to May 17, 8:15 AM PST
- Where
- San Diego County Valleys forecast zone
- Injuries
- 0 direct, 3 indirect
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Bernardo Fire started on May 13, at 10:00 AM PDT, just south of Del Norte High School, in a construction trench off Nighthawk Lane and Camino San Bernardo. Over the next few hours the wildfire intensified due to the strong Santa Ana winds driving it southward. This prompted the evacuation of several schools (with the exception of Del Norte High School), in addition to at least 20,000 homes. Within several hours, the fire covered at least 800 acres. The rapid southward spread of the fire caused mandatory evacuation orders to be issued for portions of 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Black Mountain Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, and other residential communities. Late on May 13, the Bernardo Fire reached a size of 1,600 acres. By 2300 PST on the 13th, the portion of the fire within 4S Ranch and Del Sur had been completely extinguished. Later on the 14, all of the evacuation orders were lifted for that area. By the morning of the 15th, the fire was 75% contained and no longer expanding. On the 16th, the Bernardo Fire was reported to be 90% contained, but some structures were still threatened by the fire. The Bernardo Fire was reported 100% contained on the 17th at 1915 PST, burning a total of 1548 acres. The San Diego Unified School District closed all its schools citywide on May 15, but reopened most of them on May 16. The cause of the Bernardo Fire was ruled accidental; starting in a small trench being dug by a construction crew and spread rapidly through the dry brush at the site. In all, 50 structures were threatened, and 3 unknown injuries per Cal Fire.