A helicopter putting out fires | Source: Getty Images

San Diego Fire Ravages 3 Populated Areas – Latest Updates

Evacuation orders remain in place for areas affected by the Lilac and Friars fires in San Diego County, as officials urge residents to follow updates.

Three wildfires erupted across San Diego County on January 21, prompting evacuations and firefighting efforts. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has shared updates on the Lilac, Pala, and Friars fires, including containment progress and safety measures.

The Lilac Fire reportedly burned 85 acres and is 35% contained. It began at 1:19 a.m. near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall. CAL FIRE issued Evacuation orders for zones SDC-0235, SDC-0236, SDC-0285, SDC-0286, SDC-0287, SDC-0288, and SDC-0289. These zones face an immediate threat to life, and residents are required to leave.

Nearby areas, including SDC-0281, SDC-0282, and SDC-0283, as well as SDC-0325 and SDC-0326, are under evacuation warnings, advising those with special needs, pets, or livestock to prepare for possible evacuation.

Firefighters are using aerial resources, monitoring the perimeter, and analyzing wind conditions to contain the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, the Pala Fire, which started at 2:16 a.m. near Old Highway 395 and Canonita Drive in Fallbrook, is 100% contained at 17 acres, according to CAL FIRE. The San Diego Sheriff announced on X that evacuation orders for the fire have been lifted and urged residents to exercise caution on the road.

The San Diego Fire Department clarified on X at 5:42 a.m. on January 22 that no further evacuations are needed. Residents who were previously evacuated must remain out of the area, while those nearby are advised to stay indoors for their safety.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department later shared an update of the Friars Fire, which burned 15–20 acres near Friars Road, west of State Route 163, has been confined.

Crews are addressing remaining hot spots and are expected to stay on-site for another 4–6 hours. While the evacuation orders have been lifted, certain road restrictions remain to aid recovery efforts.

The Sheriff’s Department also announced that the temporary evacuation point for the Lilac Fire has moved from Castle Creek Country Club in Escondido to Riverview Church in Bonsall, where essentials are available for evacuees.

On January 21, schools in Julian Union Elementary, Julian Union High, Mountain Empire Unified, and Warner Unified districts were closed. Additional closures that day included Bonsall Unified, Spencer Valley, and Mt. Woodson Elementary in the Ramona Unified School District.

The SDCOE later updated its website to include January 22 closures for Mountain Empire Unified and Warner Springs School Districts due to ongoing power outages. “The safety of students and school staff is of the utmost importance to San Diego County school districts,” the statement read.

The company acknowledged the challenges caused by the outages and encouraged residents to prioritize safety by checking its online outage map for real-time updates and restoration timelines.