MATEO Fire (CA)

Contained · 100% contained · 1,335 acres · started 2026-06-15 · updated 2026-07-24

Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).

Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).

Burning for 39 days across the federal chaparral lands of San Diego County, the human-caused MATEO Fire near Camp Pendleton, California, has steadily expanded at an average daily growth of approximately 34 acres per day. The 1,335-acre incident currently exhibits minimal, flanking, and smoldering fire behavior while satellites detect a lone heat signature within the past 48 hours, reflecting the subdued activity of a now-contained frontline.

A Type 3 Incident operation directed by a Type 5 Incident Commander has overseen the response, deploying 218 personnel whose suppression efforts ultimately brought the Mateo Fire to 100 percent containment at a total cost of $2,119,000.