Lilac Fire Rips Through San Diego County, Dozens Of Homes Destroyed
BONSALL, Calif. (CBSLA/AP) — A 4,100-acre wildfire that has torn through northern San Diego County with no containment has destroyed at least 85 structures as of Friday, according to CAL Fire officials.
The Lilac Fire broke out near Old Highway 395 and Dulin Road in Bonsall at around 11 a.m. Thursday. Santa Ana winds rapidly spread to an area of six square-miles: east to the 15 Freeway, north into Fallbrook, south past the 76 Freeway, and west near the border of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
About 10,000 people were evacuated and 900 are in shelters.
Cal Fire Friday said there was 15 percent containment as of 7:44 p.m. A fleet of air tankers from San Diego Fire-Rescue and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton will be aiding more than 1,000 firefighters on the ground.
Dozens of houses were burned as the fire spread through the tightly packed Rancho Monserate Country Club community in the small city of Fallbrook.
Cal Fire reported that three civilians suffered burn injuries, one suffered smoke inhalation and two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The California Horse Racing Board says dozens of race horses were killed when the fire engulfed about eight barns at the San Luis Rey training center in Bonsall. A board statement says nearly 500 horses were stabled at the center when the fire ripped through.
The Horse Racing Board says training center workers risked their lives to free as many horses as they could from stalls and herd them into safer areas. When it was safe for vans to enter, surviving horses were transported to the Del Mar race track.
Hundreds of the rescued horses were brought to the Del Mar track.
"It was just horrible, it was an inferno where my horses are, and I'm just thankful they were rescued," Susan Duvey told CBS2.
Los Alamitos Race Course canceled its Friday racing program out of sympathy for the owners, trainers and caretakers of the horses that were involved.
Legoland also announced that it would be closed Friday in respect for employees affected by the fire.
Nearly 20,000 San Diego Gas & Electric customers were without power Thursday afternoon. Thousands of customers still appeared to be without power Friday morning, according to SDG&E's website.
The following areas were under a mandatory evacuation order: the area of W. Lilac Rd. & Sullivan Middle School., South of Burma Rd., East of Wilshire, North of N. River Rd., West of S. Mission Ave., South of Renche Rd., West of I-15 Freeway, East of Green Canyon Rd. & S. Mission Rd., North of Hwy 76.
Evacuation warnings are in effect for North of Pala Rd. South of Reche Rd. West of I-15 Freeway East of Green Canyon Rd. & W. Mission Rd.
Small-pet friendly shelters have opened at: Palomar College at 1140 W. Mission Road in San Marcos Bostonia Rec Center at 1049 Bostonia St. in El Cajon East Valley Community Center at 2245 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.
Large animals and livestock can be taken to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Temporary shelters have been set up at Fallbrook High School, Pala Casino, East Valley Community Center in Escondido and Stagecoach Community Park in Carlsbad.
Visit SDIC Red Cross for the most current information on Evacuation Shelters.
Bonsall is located about 16 miles east of Oceanside.
Meanwhile, a smaller fire also broke out Thursday afternoon -- about 25 miles north of Bonsall -- in the southwestern Riverside County community of Murrieta. The Liberty Fire was 300 acres and 60 percent contained as of Thursday night.
The fire broke out at Los Alamos Road and Liberty Road just after 1 p.m. Thursday. One structure and six outbuildings were destroyed, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.
All evacuation orders were lifted before 11 a.m. Friday.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
