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Source: Daily Mail
Date: January 22, 2025
Southern Californians are facing even more wildfire devastation as two more wildfires broke following weeks of destruction in Los Angeles.
The Lilac and Pala Fires broke out early on Tuesday morning within an hour of one another in San Diego County, and they had already ravaged nearly 100 acres.
Evacuations for parts of the county have been ordered, while other area residents are urged to pack up their things and leave, according to Cal Fire.
Dangerous winds are making conditions worse, with wind gusts up to 70mph along the coast and up to 100mph in the mountains. The National Weather Service warned of a 'particularly dangerous situation' in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties due to low humidity and the winds.
'The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start,' Meteorologist Andrew Rorke told the Associated Press.
The Lilac Fire, which is only 10 percent contained, had burned through 80 acres since around 1am on Tuesday and is mainly threatening structures near Bonsall, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
The Pala Fire burned about 17 acres, according to Cal Fire data. However, firefighters have been able to stop its progress.
The Lilac and Pala Fires broke within an hour of one another in San Diego County and had already ravaged nearly 100 acres (pictured: The Lilac Fire)
The causes of the two fires remained unknown.
A red flag warning - which indicates an area is at high risk of fire - has been issued until Tuesday evening in San Diego County.
Firefighters in Los Angeles are still working to contain two massive wildfires - the Palisades and Eaton Fires - which broke out on January 7 and have torn through nearly 40,000 acres in Los Angeles County.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff flew to Los Angeles on Monday after attending President Donald Trump's inauguration and met with firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
'We just came out to thank [firefighters], to thank the community and just remind folks that we’re all in this together,' Harris said. She said their home in Pacific Palisades was still standing.
Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday said the devastation left by the blazes underscores the need for partnership between the state and federal governments.
'I look forward to President Trump's visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild,' Newsom said in a statement.
