California Wildfires Force Evacuations, School Closures Amid Strong Winds

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Multiple wildfires erupted across San Diego County on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, fueled by hurricane-force winds and dry conditions, prompting evacuations, school closures, and widespread power outages. The largest blaze, the Lilac Fire, scorched 85 acres near Bonsall, displacing 86 residents and damaging two structures before being 50% contained by evening, according to Cal Fire and local authorities.

Three smaller fires also broke out overnight, including the Pala Fire, which burned 17 acres, and the Riverview Fire, which was contained after burning one acre. A fourth fire, the Friars Fire, ignited near Mission Valley, burning 15 to 20 acres before being controlled. Evacuation orders for affected areas were lifted by late Tuesday, though some roadways remained closed.

Strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 102 mph in the San Diego mountains, exacerbated the fire risk. More than 64,000 homes and businesses across Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties lost power due to the extreme weather. Red flag warnings remained in effect through Thursday, with officials warning of continued fire danger.

“Fire crews will continue to build containment lines and extinguish hotspots within the fire’s perimeter,” Cal Fire said in a statement. San Diego County Sheriff's Office confirmed that while evacuations were lifted, crews would continue working to mitigate hazards and strengthen control lines.

Multiple school districts, including Warner Unified and Mountain Empire Unified, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to high winds, fire danger, and power outages. The county office of education’s main campus and the Linda Vista Innovation Center also closed temporarily but planned to reopen Wednesday.

In Los Angeles County, firefighters made progress against the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have collectively burned over 37,000 acres and claimed 28 lives. The Palisades Fire was 65% contained, while the Eaton Fire was 89% contained as of Tuesday evening. Evacuation orders were lifted in phases, with curfews remaining in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Rod Mitchell, a 72-year-old Bonsall resident, recounted a narrow escape after his dogs alerted him to the approaching Lilac Fire. “The fireman said, ‘Where did you come from?’ And I said, ‘I just got out of bed,'” Mitchell recalled. “He said, ‘We didn’t think anybody was left up here.'”

Firefighters faced challenging conditions, with heavy winds and low humidity creating ideal conditions for rapid fire spread. “If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior,” the National Weather Service warned.

As crews worked to contain the blazes, officials urged residents to remain vigilant. “The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions,” Cal Fire stated in its latest update. The region’s prolonged drought, with only 0.16 inches of rain recorded since July 1, has left vegetation dangerously dry, further increasing fire risk.