Brush fire burning in Santee near Town Center

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photos by Patrick Ward.

March 29, 2026 (Santee) – Fire crews are battling the Town Center Fire burning in vegetation in the 100 block of  River Rock Court, across the river from Walmart and the Town Center shopping plaza. The fire is within 50 to 100 yards of commercial structures and has burned 3 aces as of 7:40 p.m., per Watch Duty.

Per Watch Duty App, the incident commander has requested a type 1 strike team of 5 engines, a strike 3 team of 5 engines, and a water dropping helicopter.

Ground crews are now engaged in structure protection on the south side of the river due to a threat to commercial structures there.

Smoke is visible across much of East County.

ECM reporter Patrick Ward is on scene. He says the fire is burning behind Michael's.  "So far they are able to keep the fire away from structures but it is burning down the river bottom in areas where they can't get to it on foot. There is currently one helicopter dropping water from the City of San Diego."  Ward estimates this will be a "long-term commitment for the fire department."  

Per Ward, the city of Santee has a multi-million dollar grant for clearing brush in the river bottom, but it's been delayed due to environmental studies.

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