Fire crews and sheriff's deputies flooded into Santee early today after a blaze broke out in the San Diego Riverbed near the 100 block of Town Center Parkway, prompting officials to urge residents to steer clear while crews moved in. Engines and patrol cars lined nearby streets as teams coordinated on the ground. As of the initial advisory, there were no public reports of injuries or formal evacuation orders.
Official advisory and on-scene response
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office issued an early-morning alert on X reporting heightened law enforcement and firefighting activity around Town Center Parkway and identifying the fire as burning in the riverbed near the 100 block, according to San Diego County Sheriff's Office. The brief post urged the public to avoid the area until further notice so crews could work safely. For a time, that social media post functioned as the main official notice while agencies organized their response.
If you live in Santee, be aware of increased law enforcement and firefighting activity. A fire is burning in the riverbed near the 100 block of Town Center Parkway.
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) March 30, 2026
Please avoid the area until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. pic.twitter.com/i4wBDvvuDI
Riverbed fires have threatened nearby homes
Blazes in the river corridor have previously put nearby Santee neighborhoods on edge, with flames racing through thick brush and at times forcing residents to leave on short notice. A past fire burned several acres behind homes near Mission Gorge Road and Willowgrove Avenue, required helicopter water drops and triggered temporary evacuations, according to ABC 10News. That history is a reminder of how quickly a riverbed fire can grow when conditions are dry.
Local mitigation work and riverbed context
The City of Santee says it has increased riverbed management, including clearing encampments, maintaining defensible space and coordinating closely with the Santee Fire Department and the Sheriff's Department, as part of a broader plan to cut fire risk along the corridor. The city also notes the use of Hazard Mitigation funding and equipment upgrades intended to boost response capabilities in the river area, per the City of Santee. Community partners have pointed to measurable but fragile progress: the San Diego River Park Foundation's January 2026 count found 148 people living in the riverbed, a figure the group says reflects both improvement and ongoing vulnerability, according to the San Diego River Park Foundation.
How residents can stay safe
Officials have asked residents to stay away from the scene while crews wrap up operations and to follow official channels for updates, including the city's emergency information pages, according to the City of Santee. Anyone who sees smoke or a small fire is urged to call 911 and avoid entering the riverbed. Local broadcasters are expected to share updates as agencies report on containment progress and any effects on nearby neighborhoods.
