Brush fires that broke out early Tuesday morning in North San Diego County led to evacuations in parts of Bonsall and Fallbrook, authorities reported.
The Lilac Fire, the largest of three fires in inland North County, had spread to about 80 acres as of 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire. Structures had reportedly been damaged. By just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, Cal Fire reported that the blaze had held to about 80 acres, its forward spread had been stopped, and was 30% contained.
An evacuation order was in effect for areas of Bonsall and Fallbrook, according the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. A Genasys Project emergency map showed that the evacuation area was north of West Lilac Road, south of Mountain Vista Road, east of Leprechaun Lane, Mountain View Road and West Lilac Road, and west of Interstate 15 (Avocado Highway).
The fire started before 1 a.m., and its cause was under investigation.
A fire north of Interstate 15 and Highway 76, called the Pala Fire, burned about 17 acres, and its forward spread had been stopped by just before 4 a.m., according to Cal Fire updates. A smaller fire in the area of East Mission and Riverview roads in Fallbrook, the Riverview Fire, burned about 1 acre and had also been stopped, according to Cal Fire updates.
Low humidity and high easterly winds fed by Santa Ana conditions have resulted in extreme fire danger, according to authorities and weather forecasters.
A brush fire that broke out after 1 p.m. Monday near Ted Williams Parkway and Pomerado Road in Poway was contained to about 3 acres. The blaze resulted in evacuations at the time.
Lilac Fire information
An evacuation point has been established at Castle Creek Country Club, 8797 Castle Creek Drive in Escondido. Large-animal evacuation areas are available at the Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real in Del Mar, and the California Ranch Co., 43101 Anza Rd. in Temecula.
A Sig Alert for slow or diverted traffic is no longer in effect for southbound I-15 between West Lilac Road and Old Highway 395. However, Old Highway 395 between West Lilac Road and State Route 76 and Pala Road is closed as firefighting operations continue.
(This is an an ongoing situation subject to updates)
(Story updated at 1:01 p.m. Jan. 21)