Steele Fire in Rancho San Diego 40% contained after blaze threatened homes

Crews are making progress in controlling a brush fire that began in the mid-afternoon Wednesday in Rancho San Diego, roughly 2000 feet west of Steele Canyon High School, which has been opened as a temporary evacuation point. 

The fire, reported at around 2:05 p.m., grew to five acres in roughly 15 minutes, spreading northwest through undeveloped shrub land. The fire was 28 acres and had a slow rate of spread that has since been stopped, according to Cal Fire San Diego.

At 6:30 p.m., the fire was 40% contained.

Ground crews battled the blaze, as well as two air tankers and five additional fire engines, the nonprofit fire service, Watch Duty, reported.

Two structures had been threatened, and the fire was deemed a critical threat, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.

Early on, a closure of Steele Canyon Drive was requested between Highway 94 and Willow Glen Drive, according to Watch Duty. 

The neighborhood west of Steele Canyon had been split into two zones. The evacuation order for Zone A has been lifted, while an evacuation order for Zone B remains in place. The evacuation order for east of the road, in Jamacha, was lifted around 5:40 p.m.

The evacuation warnings, meanwhile, have been lifted. The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries have been reported.

Cal Fire San Diego did report a possible drone incursion. There were no structures damaged, but the incursion did “pose a serious safety risk.”

City News Service contributed to this report.

Updated 7:40 p.m. July 9, 2025.