San Luis Obispo, CA — On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at around 9:15 a.m., San Luis Obispo Fire Department Dispatch received multiple reports of a fire on Terrace Hill in San Luis Obispo.  

San Luis Obispo City Fire crews arrived on scene within about five minutes and initiated fire suppression operations.  Mutual aid was requested from CAL FIRE because the fire had potential to spread from the Terrace Hill Open Space area to nearby neighborhoods. No evacuations were ordered, however nearby residents were asked to shelter in place.  

Forward progress was stopped at around 10 a.m. after the fire had grown to just under three acres, and the shelter in place was lifted. The fire resulted in no major property damage nor serious injuries. The San Luis Obispo Fire Department has mopped up the site and is now monitoring the area.  

At around 9 a.m., City Rangers staff were continuing ongoing vegetation management work at the Terrace Hill Open Space, when equipment sparked and ignited nearby brush. Staff immediately called 911 and began attempting to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and hand tools but, due to growing winds and low moisture content, the fire grew quickly.  

"Several factors helped keep this incident from becoming serious: The rangers had already been working to reduce wildfire fuel in this area for several days, the Fire Department responded quickly, and nearby properties have proper defensible space," said Joe Little, the City’s Emergency Manager. "Our well-trained staff followed proper procedures and were using power tools before 10 a.m., as recommended, it's a great reminder that wildfire risk is always present and being prepared makes a difference." 

For more information and ways to prevent wildfires or protect your property from wildfires, please visit www.slocity.org/fire and follow the Fire Department on X and Instagram.