Learn about recent fires on our area. If you’d like to report a fire for us to post please email info@kensingtonfiresafe.org.
December 15, 2024: Around 10:15 PM in the canyon beyond Terry Felipe’s home on 4400 block of Van Dyke Avenue, a second fire broke out in an encampment. There was a previous fire in this canyon over the November Thanksgiving Holiday.
Terry was away but her tenant, Julia, was home, heard and smelled the fire and called Terry. Terry then called 911 and the Fire Dept, gave them the address and told the dispatcher the trucks need to approach from Fairmount and stop at the flashing light before Meade Ave. Unfortunately the first two units and one cop car arrived on the Van Dyke side where they could not reach the fire. They then went to cul de sac on Ethelda place and dragged a hose through a backyard to attack the fire from the west side. Unfortunately the fire spread quickly, the eucalyptus trees caught fire and embers went everywhere. Other trucks arrived and were able to knock the fire down in about 20+ minutes.
Sadly, a woman in the encampment was badly burned and transported to the hospital immediately. Terry said, “It was gut wrenching to hear her screaming as the flames took over the area.” Luckily, Terry’s tenant, Julia was home and probably saved several houses from being destroyed. “This could have been disastrous…just as she saved the day over Thanksgiving!”
December 1, 2024: Small brush fire in the canyon between Fairmount and Van Dyke, likely caused by a homeless encampment.
October 31, 2024, The Montezuma Fire: A massive fire tore through the canyons south of Montezuma Road devouring 39 acres of brush. Due to the swift response from firefighters on the ground and water drops from the air the damage was minimal. No one was injured and only one home was destroyed.
September 8, 2024: A swift response prevented disaster when a fire broke out in Alder Canyon on a scorching 103-degree day. No injuries or damage, but this close call reminds us: it’s time to clear flammable brush and protect our neighborhood from future fires.
May 5, 2021: SDFD crews responded to a report of a brush fire in the area of Aldine and Fairmount. They located two small fires under 1/4 acre and were able to prevent them from spreading. No injuries or damage to any structures. These fires looks to have been started at a homeless encampment.
January 9, 2021: A beat-up F150 pickup truck, abandoned for one or two weeks, exploded on 39th near Monroe. Thankfully, police say, no one was hurt. Thank you, firefighters, for dashing into action so quickly. And to our neighbors for the alerts.
October, 2019 – Fire in Fairmount canyon, dozens of homes evacuated and several streets closed.
2016 – Small brush fire in the canyon at Alder and Fairmount
2014 – A small brush fire off I15 near Adams Avenue
1985 – Normal Heights Fire burned 300 acres, destroyed 76 houses and damaged 57 others. Damage was set at $9 million. 1,000 to 1,500 people were evacuated. It was, at the time, the worst brush fire in San Diego history.
https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/majorfires/1985normalheights
From the archives: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/story/2020-06-30/from-the-archives-normal-heights-fire-struck-35-years-ago-today
1956 – Four alarm fire in Kensington Park area resulted in twenty-five homes damaged and 19 firefighters treated for injuries. https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/majorfires/1956kensing
1962 – 1969?? – a Kensington resident remembers her aunt talking about their grandmother being evacuated because of a fire. We weren’t able to find any published report on it.
1930’s – From another Kensington resident: A local history mentioned a fire at the original Haven back before Kensington was incorporated into San Diego City limits. The fire department supposedly watched the building burn because they weren’t allowed to cross the line.