Mateo

Mateo Fire Report - June 19, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Mateo Fire ignited at 1:52 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Mateo Canyon, located in the Camp Pendleton North area of San Diego County, California.
Size and Containment: As of the latest updates over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 1,335 acres and is currently 60% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has exhibited moderate growth since ignition, burning through difficult canyon terrain characterized by heavy fuels and dense vegetation. It has spread primarily into the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness and remote areas of Camp Pendleton.
Containment Efforts: The fire is being managed under a Unified Command between the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and the Cleveland National Forest, with support from the Orange County Fire Department. There are currently 460 personnel assigned to the incident, including eight hotshot crews, a support task force from Arizona State Forestry (consisting of Type 3 and Type 6 engines), two water tenders, two bulldozers, and five helicopters. Firefighters are actively strengthening control lines and extinguishing hot spots, though steep terrain and safety concerns have made some areas of the fire perimeter inaccessible.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place. The fire is burning in a remote training area with no communities threatened.
Evacuation Warnings: There are currently no evacuation warnings in place.
Curfew: There are no curfew orders in effect for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: There are no evacuation shelters open at this time, as the estimated number of people impacted by evacuations is zero.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Base officials have confirmed that there is no immediate threat to personnel or infrastructure.
• There are currently no road or infrastructure closures reported in association with the Mateo Fire.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Cleveland National Forest Official Website
• Camp Pendleton Official Base Information

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no injuries or fatalities reported in connection with the Mateo Fire.
Structures Impacted: There are no structures or communities threatened, damaged, or destroyed by this fire.
School and Business Closures: There are no school or business closures reported due to this incident.
Notable Impacts: The fire originated in and has impacted the Quebec Impact Training area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Mateo Creek, as well as portions of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no reported power outages or Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) associated with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported at this time.
Burn Bans: Standard seasonal fire restrictions remain in effect for the Cleveland National Forest and surrounding areas due to dry summer conditions, restricting unauthorized outdoor burning.
Air Quality: The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a Smoke Advisory due to the Mateo Fire. Smoke has been drifting across Southwest Riverside County, impacting areas such as Temecula, Murrieta, and Lake Elsinore. Air quality may be unhealthy in some areas, and residents—particularly those with respiratory conditions—are advised to limit outdoor activities and stay indoors if they smell smoke.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters have achieved 60% containment and will continue full suppression attacks on the fire. Efforts for the remainder of the week will focus on creating and managing containment lines. While progress has been steady, complete containment is challenged by the rugged topography and inaccessible areas, requiring crews to prioritize firefighter safety while securing the perimeter.
Weather and Wind Warnings: There are currently no Red Flag Warnings in effect for the immediate fire area. However, the heavy, dry fuels and difficult canyon terrain continue to dictate fire behavior and pose ongoing operational challenges.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Mateo Fire remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire's behavior is being driven primarily by the difficult canyon terrain, heavy fuels, and dense vegetation typical of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. Persistent dry summer conditions in these heavy fuel beds have contributed to the fire's ability to burn steadily through the remote landscape, producing significant smoke output despite the lack of extreme wind events.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Cleveland National Forest Official Website
• South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)