San Diego police have made an arrest in the Center fire that had many Rancho Bernardo residents — and even a couple schools — evacuating on Jan. 22.
Police said Monday they believe the Center fire was started by a 66-year-old man. Last week, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said fire broke out at a homeless encampment in Rancho Bernardo.
On the day of the fire, police officials said one person had been taken to a hospital but did not provide further information. On Monday, officials said they have requested that the 66-year-old be charged with starting an unlawful/reckless fire, but said he had not been booked into jail due to his injuries. Investigators have submitted his case to the district attorney’s office for review.
San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said Jan. 31 that the department was still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
“When our firefighters or an investigator indicate that a fire started at or near a homeless encampment, that doesn’t mean the cause of the fire was the encampment itself and also doesn’t mean the fire was set by a homeless person,” said San Diego Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Mónica Muñoz.
“The second important point is that if a fire was caused by a cooking or warming fire in an encampment, it’s not necessarily criminal,” she said. “All fires don’t have a criminal nexus, but our investigators look into most fires.”
The blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on Jan. 22 on a hillside near Bernardo Center Drive and Camino del Norte. By the time it was contained several hours later and residents were allowed to return home, the blaze had burned around seven acres. No homes were lost to the blaze.
The fire was one of several that erupted within days while San Diego County was under red flag warnings due to strong Santa Ana winds throughout the region. It served as a wake-up call for locals about the need to always be prepared for evacuation with just a few minutes notice.
For guidance on how to protect homes, properly clear vegetation, prepare a go-bag and make an evacuation plan, visit sandiego.gov/fire/ready-set-go.
Story updated on 2/4/2025 to include arrest information.
