Multiple Fires Erupt in San Diego Area Amid Strong Winds

A firefighter sprays water while battling the Lilac Fire near the Bonsall community of San Diego County, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2025. Noah Berger/AP Photo

A brush fire broke out in the city of San Diego on the afternoon of Jan. 21, and three wildfires erupted overnight in northern San Diego County, as strong Santa Ana winds blew through the Southern California region.

The Friars Fire started in San Diego’s Mission Valley at Friars Road and Via de la Moda, across the street from the Fashion Valley mall, leading to brief evacuation orders. Around 15 to 20 acres burned before firefighters knocked it down.

The Riverview Fire, which threatened structures in Fallbrook in northern San Diego County, was stopped after burning one acre. Two other fires also started in the region, amid a severe weather warning, a Red Flag warning, and a fire weather watch.

The Lilac Fire has burned 85 acres in San Diego’s northeast county near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall—near where the 76 east-west highway and Interstate 15 intersect.

Both evacuation orders and warnings were lifted and the fire was nearly contained by the next morning.

On Tuesday, a University of California–San Diego camera in the area showed a smoke-filled sky as traffic built on I-15 south, while I-15 north was largely empty. Currently, 66 personnel, 53 engines, and two helicopters were assigned to the conflagration.

Meanwhile, the Pala Fire burned 17 acres a short distance to the north before it was 100 percent contained. Once firefighting efforts have prevailed, the causes of all fires will be investigated.

Thus far in 2025, Cal Fire has responded to 240 wildfires, which have burned more than 40,000 acres. Cal Fire estimates that 28 lives have been lost to wildfires so far this year, and more than 15,000 structures have been destroyed.

According to the National Weather Service San Diego office, winds along I-15 are variable. Some areas experience wind gusts of 20 mph, and others experience no wind at all.

“But the humidity is very dry right now,” Sebastian Westerink, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service San Diego, told The Epoch Times. “We’re looking at 4 percent humidity widespread throughout North County, which is very low.”

Although the winds are expected to taper off throughout the afternoon and relent by tonight, with the Red Flag Warning expiring at about 10 p.m., the humidity will stay low, meaning conditions will remain conducive to fire. Offshore winds will continue tomorrow before another spike in Santa Ana winds returns on the night of Jan. 22 into Jan. 23, although they are not expected to be as extreme as the region saw on the morning of Jan. 21.

San Diego and Orange County, however, could see some relief this weekend. The National Weather Service is tracking a storm expected to arrive this weekend starting early on Jan. 25 and lasting into early Jan. 26.

“Based on the model guidance, it could be a decent amount,” Westerink said.

The models say the region could receive between a quarter-inch and a half-inch. Westerink said he thinks the former scenario is most likely. And, although there is a chance of rain, the Los Angeles region is less likely to see rain over the weekend.