Brush fire quickly spreads, forces evacuations in Pala

Caleb Lunetta, The San Diego Union-Tribune on May 30, 2025

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Firefighters were battling a brush fire that was quickly propelled by high winds and steep hillsides in Pala Friday evening.

The fire was first reported around 5:40 p.m. on Henderson Road near Oaks Road, according to Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots. Within two hours, the blaze had spread to about 145 acres with wind pushing it to the northeast.

“It’s burning in a grass and brush area that starts going into rolling hills and very mountainous terrain,” Shoots said. “Fire runs much faster uphill, and the goal is to keep it out of the hillsides.”

Shoots said the initial response included more than 100 firefighters supported by engines, tankers and aircraft. More personnel were being called in to battle the blaze as of 7 p.m.

Evacuations were ordered for areas immediately northeast of Henderson Road and around Magee Road, according to Alert San Diego. Evacuation warnings were in effect for neighborhoods immediately west of the fire, as well as along the Riverside County border.

A temporary evacuation point was set up in the Pala Casino parking lot at 11154 state Route 76.