A wildfire’s name is usually derived from a nearby location.
California firefighters often say there is no longer a "fire season" and the threat of a wildfire sparking and spreading quickly is year-round.
But there is a heightened awareness of wildfires in the dry fall and winter seasons -- when some of the most devastating wildfires have occurred -- as Santa Anas bring dry winds to the region that can quickly fuel a spark.
Here is a look at which wildfires Cal Fire is currently battling in San Diego County as of Thursday:
Note: The map above utilizes data from Cal Fire, which tracks major wildfires burning in California in which their agency has command.
Here are fires that started in San Diego this week:
U.S. & World
A brush fire was burning close to homes in La Jolla on Thursday afternoon and quickly prompted evacuations, which have since been lifted.
The Gilman Fire sparked around 2:30 p.m. near Gilman Drive and Via Alicante, not far from Interstate 5 and UC San Diego's campus.
Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
About 3 acres were burned before crews stopped the fire's forward progress around 4 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
A large vegetation fire began burning Thursday afternoon on a hilltop near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Smoke from the Border 2 Fire, which was blowing west and southwest in the direction of Otay Mesa, was visible for miles.
The fire burned 600 acres by 8:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
Center Fire (Also known as the Bernardo Fire)
Firefighters responded Wednesday to a brush fire on a mountainside in Rancho Bernardo that threatened homes and injured one person, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The Center Fire, which was also referred to as the Bernardo Fire, started around 8:55 a.m. near Bernardo Center Drive and Camino del Norte.
It grew to 7 acres, fire officials said. All evacuation orders and warnings that were in place have been lifted.
Friars Fire - CONTAINED
A brush fire started around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday near the Fashion Valley Mall in Mission Valley. It was put out at 15 to 20 acres. At least one apartment was damaged in the fire.
The cause is under investigation.
Lilac Fire - CONTAINED
The fire started Tuesday near Old Hwy 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall around 1:20 a.m. The fire scorched 85 acres and was 100% contained.
The cause is under investigation.
Pala Fire - CONTAINED
The fire started Tuesday near Old Hwy 395 and Canonita Drive in Fallbrook. It grew to 17 acres before crews got a handle on the blaze.
The cause is under investigation.
Poway Fire - CONTAINED
A brush fire started around 1:20 p.m. Monday along Pomerado Road. It quickly grew to 3 acres and threatened homes before it was halted by crews.
