New Wildfires Prompt Evacuations Near San Diego As Red Flag Warnings Return To LA

Powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the rapid spread of wildfires in San Diego County early Tuesday, prompting evacuations as officials in Los Angeles remained on high alert amid high winds and relentless dry conditions.

At least three fires broke out in northern San Diego County overnight, including the Lilac and Pala fires, which grew to 50 and 30 acres, respectively, with 0% containment as of Tuesday morning.

The Lilac Fire triggered multiple rounds of evacuations in Bonsall, a small community about 45 minutes north of San Diego. “Immediate threat to life,” read an urgent warning from Cal Fire issued shortly before 5 a.m. “This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access.”

Firefighters managed to stop the forward progress of the Pala Fire, which burned an area just north of the Lilac Fire. The blaze initially triggered evacuation orders, but those have since been lifted, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. “If you had to leave, it is now safe to go back home,” the agency wrote in a post on X just after 4 a.m.

In this long exposure photo, fire smolders on a hillside during the Lilac fire in unincorporated San Diego County, California on Jan. 21, 2025.

Another brush fire, dubbed the Riverview Fire, burned about one acre of land before firefighters halted its forward progress, according to Cal Fire.

Hurricane-force winds were recorded across San Diego County on Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service. An 89 mph wind gust was recorded in the San Diego mountains around 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles County, the two deadly wildfires that destroyed over 10,000 structures and killed at least 27 people continued to burn. The region remained under red flag warnings, worrying officials that the Palisades and Eaton fires may spread or additional blazes could ignite.

More: Battling dementia, unable to walk as LA fires rage: A narrow escape from assisted living

San Diego County school closures amid wildfires

Multiple school districts closed on Tuesday citing “high winds, fire danger, and power outages.” Below is a list of the school districts that have shuttered, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.

Bonsall Unified School District
Julian Union Elementary School District
Julian Union High School District
Mountain Empire Unified School District
Spencer Valley School District
Warner Unified School District

Red flag warnings active across Southern California as blazes rage

Red flag and high wind warnings stretched down the coast of Southern California on Tuesday as weather officials warned of strong wind gusts that could rapidly spread fires and knock out power to homes and businesses.

Forecasters said Santa Ana winds would continue blowing across Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday afternoon, when active red flag warnings were set to expire. The warnings urged residents to stay vigilant amid the strong winds and as humidity levels plummet into the single digits.

“THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION,” a warning from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said.

To the south, high wind warning stretched into San Diego County, where forecasters expected winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. In the mountains, winds could reach 80 to 90 mph, the weather service said.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” a high wind warning, set to expire at 4 p.m. local time, said. “Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

Latest on the Palisades and Eaton fires

The Palisades Fire was at 23,713 acres with 63% containment Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres and was at 89% containment.

“Firefighters are making steady progress, and officials are reassessing evacuation orders to ensure safe returns,” read a Tuesday report on the Palisades Fire. “Crews are working with utility providers to repair infrastructure and address hazards like fallen trees and downed power lines. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions.”

Cal Fire said firefighters were focusing on hot spots within the perimeter of the Eaton Fire as officials lifted evacuation orders in phases.

Additionally, resources were staged in the city of La Cañada, west of the blaze, “to respond to any new fire starts or fire activity within the current footprint,” according to an operational update from Cal Fire.

Over 69k without power across Southern California

Tens of thousands of people woke up in the dark throughout Southern California as high winds and wildfires spurred power outages across the region.

In San Diego County, more than 14,000 homes and businesses were without power, according to PowerOutage.us. In nearby Riverside County, nearly 22,000 utility customers had no power early Tuesday.

Across Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, about 36,000 homes and businesses were in the dark.

How powerful are the winds in Southern California?

Here are the highest wind gusts recorded across Southern California through Monday night, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service.