Evacuation orders remain active in San Diego County due to the Lilac and Friars fires, with officials urging residents to stay informed on the latest updates.
On January 21, three wildfires erupted across San Diego County, prompting evacuations and firefighting efforts. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has been providing updates on the Lilac, Pala, and Friars fires, detailing containment progress and safety measures.
The Lilac Fire, which has burned 85 acres, is 35% contained. It began at 1:19 a.m. near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall. Evacuation orders were issued for zones SDC-0235, SDC-0236, SDC-0285, SDC-0286, SDC-0287, SDC-0288, and SDC-0289, all facing immediate danger. Residents in these zones must evacuate.
Nearby areas, including zones SDC-0281, SDC-0282, SDC-0283, SDC-0325, and SDC-0326, are under evacuation warnings. People in these areas, particularly those with special needs, pets, or livestock, are advised to prepare for potential evacuation.
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Firefighting teams are utilizing aerial resources, monitoring the fire’s perimeter, and assessing wind conditions to contain the blaze. The fire’s cause is still under investigation.
In the meantime, the Pala Fire, which ignited at 2:16 a.m. near Old Highway 395 and Canonita Drive in Fallbrook, has been fully contained at 17 acres. CAL FIRE confirmed the containment, and the San Diego Sheriff announced the lifting of evacuation orders on X, advising residents to remain cautious on the roads.
The Friars Fire, starting at 12:32 p.m. near Friars Road and Via De La Moda in San Diego, has burned 3 acres and is currently 0% contained. Some areas are under evacuation orders, while others have been advised to shelter in place.
We’ve mobilized our volunteers to help those affected by the #LilacFire in San Diego County.
➡️ Red Cross volunteers are providing snacks, hydration, & more at the Temporary Evacuation Point at the Castle Creek Golf Course (8797 Circle R Dr., Escondido). pic.twitter.com/p5vNHaJjHS
— American Red Cross Southern California Region (@SoCal_RedCross) January 21, 2025
By 5:42 a.m. on January 22, the San Diego Fire Department announced on X that no additional evacuations were required. Residents previously evacuated should not return, while those nearby should stay indoors for safety.
Later updates from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department revealed that the Friars Fire, which expanded to 15–20 acres near Friars Road, west of State Route 163, has been contained. Crews are dealing with hot spots and are expected to remain on site for another 4–6 hours. Although evacuation orders have been lifted, some road restrictions remain to support recovery efforts.
The Sheriff’s Department also relocated the temporary evacuation point for the Lilac Fire from Castle Creek Country Club in Escondido to Riverview Church in Bonsall, where essentials are being provided for evacuees.
#UPDATE The EVACUATION ORDER for the #PalaFire has been lifted per @NorthCountyFire. If you had to leave, it is now safe to go back home.
Drive slowly and carefully. Be mindful of firefighters and deputies, as well as road and utility crews, working in the area.… https://t.co/ogEaBqxWcs
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) January 21, 2025
Local agencies have been sharing updates as recovery efforts continue. The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) announced several school closures and evacuated the Linda Vista campus and Innovation Center as a precaution.
On January 21, schools in the Julian Union Elementary, Julian Union High, Mountain Empire Unified, and Warner Unified districts were closed. Additional closures included Bonsall Unified, Spencer Valley, and Mt. Woodson Elementary in the Ramona Unified School District.
Update: Bonsall Unified, Spencer Valley, and Mt. Woodson Elementary in Ramona Unified are also closed today (Jan. 21). https://t.co/Zzyq8OZ7HW
— San Diego County Office of Education (@SanDiegoCOE) January 21, 2025
The SDCOE later updated its website to reflect 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 emphasized.
In response to the fire-related disruptions, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) implemented Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The company acknowledged the difficulties caused by the outages and encouraged residents to prioritize safety by checking its online outage map for real-time updates and restoration timelines.