Blazes break out in San Diego as Santa Ana winds return to California
Multiple wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds erupted across northern San Diego County on January 20 and 21, 2025, forcing evacuations, damaging structures, and burning more than 74 ha (182 acres).
Image credit: Calfire
A new round of Santa Ana winds ignited multiple wildfires in northern San Diego County on Monday, January 20, and Tuesday, January 21.
The Lilac Fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the Bosnall area of northern San Diego County. Evacuation orders were issued for areas south of Pala Mesa and west of I-15. The blaze has burned approximately 35 ha (85 acres) and is now 50% contained.
At least 86 people were evacuated, and two buildings sustained damage in the flames, according to the North County Fire Protection District, which is collaborating with Calfire.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said Old Highway 395 will remain closed between Dulin Road (at the Rancho Monserate Country Club) and West Lilac Road, until further notice.
The Friars Fire ignited near the Fashion Valley Mall on Tuesday afternoon, spreading across 0.8 ha (2 acres). Evacuation orders were issued for neighborhoods located behind the hillside.
A few miles north, the Pala Fire ignited approximately one hour after the Lilac Fire. It burned west of I-15 in Pala Mesa. Evacuation orders were issued but have since been lifted, according to North County Fire.
The Pala Fire burned an estimated 7 ha (17 acres) and is now 100% contained, according to CAL FIRE. Meanwhile, the nearby Pala 2 Fire scorched more than 33 ha (80 acres) on Tuesday.
Another fire, named the Riverview Fire, broke out in the Fallbrook area. CAL FIRE reported that the forward spread of the fire had been stopped. Officials described it as a vegetation fire that posed a threat to buildings. It burned approximately 0.4 ha (1 acre).
References:
1 Lilac Fire – Calfire – January 21, 2025
2 Wildfires break out in San Diego County prompting evacuations, damaging buildings – Fox Weather – January 21, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
FYI — LA County’s Hughes wildfire goes from brush blaze to 5,000+-acre conflagration; evacs ordered —
– EXCERPT- A fast-moving blaze that began as a brush fire Wednesday spread across 5,000 acres of bone-dry Los Angeles County, forcing evacuations of neighborhoods, schools and even jails as firefighters battle to contain the spread in a region already scorched for weeks.
– The latest blaze, dubbed the Hughes Fire, runs through the Castaic area and has put the inferno-weary region back on high alert, according to CalFire. Rising winds threaten to spread the conflagration to suburban neighborhoods.
– Residents nearby were ordered to evacuate or warned to be ready to leave quickly ahead of the fire. The blaze prompted several road closures, including parts of heavily traveled Interstate 5. –
– USA TODAY – Updated 6:37 PM ET, Jan 22, 2025
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— Hughes Fire now over 8,000 acres —
The Hughes Fire in Castaic has now burned 8,096 acres since igniting late Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire.
— abc News – Updated: January 22, 2025 —
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— Hughes Fire expands over 9,400 acres with 0% containment —
– During a press briefing Wednesday evening, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone shared an update on the weather-driven Hughes Fire, which has expanded over 9,400 acres with no containment.
– Marrone called the situation in Santa Clarita “dynamic and difficult to contain” in the dry, windy weather conditions.
– The fire chief said the light to moderate Santa Ana winds are continuing to spread the blaze.
– The red flag fire warning has been extended until Friday at 10 a.m., officials said.
— abc News – Updated: January 22, 2025 —
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– The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire remain active. –
Latest headlines:
– Brush fire breaks out in Tijuana, (Mexico) destroys 8 homes
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— abc News – Last Updated: January 22, 2025, 8:51 AM CST —
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