Oct. 31 marks one year since Fairmount Fire burned in canyon near SDSU

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- While many San Diegans may be scrambling for last-minute costumes or preparing to welcome eager trick-or-treaters, Friday is more than just another Halloween for residents who live in the areas impacted by last year's Fairmount Fire.
• Watch the report from Oct. 31, 2024, in the video player above.

The fire was reported in the canyon near Fairmount Avenue and Montezuma Road around 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2024. Officials with the San Diego Police Department later said the fire appeared to have been sparked due to strong winds in the canyon, which had overgrown brush and palm trees.

Later that afternoon, the fire burned about 40 acres. It led to thousands of residents in multiple neighborhoods near San Diego State University and Interstate 8 being evacuated, including in Talmadge, Kensington and Normal Heights.

Some good Samaritans helped assist residents in the Talmadge area while the fire burned, even before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Several schools were also impacted, including Hardy Elementary School. Allied Gardens Recreation Center was turned into a temporary evacuation point for those impacted by the evacuation orders.

The Fairmount Fire also led to several road closures, including the I-8 off-ramp at Fairmount Avenue, Camino del Rio South and Montezuma Road, as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Firefighters were able to fully contain the Fairmount Fire around 8 a.m. on Nov. 3, 2024, according to CalFire.

Investigators later said the fire began near an encampment in the area.