San Diego is battling multiple wildfires that broke out on Tuesday, leading to widespread disruptions, including school closures, power outages, and urgent evacuation orders for residents in affected areas. The fires have escalated so quickly that local authorities have issued emergency alerts and evacuation notices for thousands of people.
The fires are being fueled by the combination of dry weather and strong winds, which have created dangerous conditions. The largest of these fires, the Lilac Fire, has burned approximately 85 acres in Northern San Diego. The fire's rapid spread led to evacuations in Bonsall, a small town located roughly 45 minutes from San Diego.
According to reports from The New York Post, at least 86 residents have been evacuated from their homes, and two buildings were impacted by the fire. Firefighters have worked around the clock to contain the blaze, and as of Tuesday morning, they have successfully contained about 50% of the Lilac Fire.
San Diego County Fire officials provided an update via social media, stating, “Firefighters are making good progress on the fire. The fire activity has decreased significantly.”
In addition to the Lilac Fire, two other fires broke out in the region on Tuesday. The Riverview Fire burned one acre of land before it was contained, while the Pala Fire started just an hour after the Lilac Fire, burning around 17 acres of land.
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond shared a warning on X (formerly Twitter), urging residents to evacuate immediately. He highlighted the perilous conditions created by the Santa Ana winds and emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders: “Mandatory evacuation orders are in place, and I cannot stress enough the importance of evacuating immediately and listening to first responders.”
The emergency situation has led to the establishment of temporary shelters for people and animals. The San Diego Humane Society has deployed a rescue team to save animals stranded by the fires, including six horses. In addition, the Red Cross has mobilized volunteers to assist at a temporary evacuation center in Escondido.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, residents are urged to remain vigilant and stay updated with emergency alerts. Firefighters and first responders are working relentlessly to control the situation, but the unpredictable weather conditions are complicating efforts to contain the flames.
