As of 11:30 a.m. Friday, here is a summary of brush fires that have burned 11,000 acres in San Diego County, along with related news about school closings, road closures and government information. County News Center is also posting latest closures and other information.
Overall — The first fatality was recorded in a Carlsbad transient camp where firefighters came upon a badly burned body. The county has a map showing all fires and evacuation areas and a web page with the latest updates.
Cocos Fire — Thousands of residents were allowed back in their homes early Friday as a wildfire raging in the San Marcos area grew from 1,200 acres to 3,018 acres overnight. We captured firefighters as they made a stand to save local resident Al Said’s home.
Poinsettia Fire — The blaze was 100 percent contained as of Friday. Firefighters found a badly burned body Thursday in a known transient camp, marking the first fatality of the week.
Pendleton Fires — A second blaze, the Las Pulgas Fire, began Thursday afternoon north of Oceanside and was 0 percent contained by the evening. It had grown to 500 acres. A fire that scorched about 6,000 acres at Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook and on the eastern side of Camp Pendleton was about 15 percent contained Thursday, after it flared up and forced some temporary evacuations in the afternoon.
Highway Fire — The wildfire in northern San Diego County Wednesday was 100 percent contained by 6:30 p.m. Thursday after charring 380 acres. The blaze jumped major roadways, threatened homes, forced evacuations, and temporarily closed Interstate 15 near State Route 76. Evacuations have been lifted.
Bernardo Fire — The first big wildfire to erupt in San Diego County this week amid red flag conditions was 90 percent contained Friday, authorities said.
Lakeside Fire — A wildfire briefly threatened homes on a Lakeside-area hillside Wednesday until crews were able to gain control. Evacuations were lifted.
School Closings — Most North County school districts reported they would be closed Friday, as will Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch schools in San Diego. Many other districts outside of the fire zones will reopen Friday, as will all other city schools.
State of Emergency — Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Diego County late Wednesday, making the region eligible for federal funding to offset fire costs; earlier, authorities declared a local emergency due to the wildfires. This makes looting of evacuated homes a felony with a minimum three-year sentence.
Hospital Impacts — Services at some North County hospitals were limited Thursday because of their proximity to the fires. Palomar Medical Center was not evacuated, but the ER was put on trauma bypass.
Wildfire Galleries — Media outlets were joined by citizen journalists covering the county fires, with a Los Angeles Times image of a “firenado” among the most shared on social media.
Statewide Report — San Diego County isn’t alone. Cal Fire says it is battling nearly three dozen wildfires statewide Thursday amid drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds.
Latest Fire Maps — Updated public feed from the county Office of Emergency Services and other sources is posted via the ArcGIS system. Local media use this resource to build their own maps.
Weather Forecast — A slow cooling trend will begin in San Diego County, though temperatures will still be above average, meteorologists said.
How are the fires affecting you? Have a question about your neighborhood or local roads? Post a note on our Facebook page. Stay safe!
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