Update on San Diego Fires

As San Diego awakens to a third day of brush fires burning in the county, officials are updating the fires still threatening homes

As San Diego endured a third day of devastating brush fires burning in the county, officials offered updates on the fires still threatening homes.

On Wednesday, crews battled nine fires that scorched more than 9,000 acres. The bulk of those blazes burned in the North County. Some remained active on Thursday, continuing to threaten homes.

Click Here for Map of Wildfire Activity and Open Shelters

A red flag warning remained in effect through 5 p.m. Thursday, meaning exteme high temperatures and dry conditions would persist through the afternoon.

NBC 7 meteorologist Dagmar Midcap said conditions were improving, mainly the winds which fueled the wildfires. She said we could continue to see "much calmer wind conditions" throughout the county through the next 24 hours.

β€œIt’s phenomenal news, in terms of what we can expect for temperatures,” added Midcap.

NBC 7 meteorologist Whitney Southwick said humidity levels should also increase overnight, which will also help reduce the fire danger. By Friday, the temperature will be in the 80s and 90s, and by next week, 60s and 70s will return.

Complete List of School Closures | List of Areas Under Evacuation

Cocos Fire in San Marcos:

  • Mandatory evacuations include Harmony Grove, Questhaven, Cal State San Marcos, North of San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills, Discovery Meadows, Coronado Hills, Elfin Forest, Indian Ridge Rd., Crestwind Rd., Wilgen Dr., Bresa Del Loma Dr., Del Dios and Mt. Israel
  • Escondido evacuations in effect for residents north and west of West Valley Parkway between Via Rancho Parkway and Highway 78
  • 211 Tweeted evacuations of the Village Condo Area: Trilogy and Aurora and San Elijo Streets
  • An evacuation shelter has been set up at Mission Hills High School at 1 Mission Hills Court.
  • 1,200 acres
  • 5 percent contained as of 4 p.m. Thursday
  • Several homes destroyed
  • Cocos Fire Information Line: (562) 708-9631
  • No. 1 priority Thursday is to keep the fire out of Harmony Grove with an emphasis on structure protection, structure defense and perimeter control, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler
  • Road closures include: Del Dios Highway from Via Rancho Parkway to Rancho Drive, South Twin Oaks Valley Road at Hwy 78, Craven Road at Twin Oaks Valley Road, Village Drive at Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Elijo Road at Double Peak Road, Melrose Drive at Rancho Santa Fe Road, Melrose Drive at San Elijo Road, San Elijo Road at Rancho Santa Fe Road, Elfin Forest Road at Calistoga Way, Questhaven Road at City Limit, Coronado Hills Drive at Via Del Campo and Fallsview Road at San Elijo Road. 
  • Rancho Santa Fe Road will be open to both north and southbound traffic
  • North County Transit District will cease service at the Cal State University San Marcos SPRINTER Station starting at 1 p.m. Thursday.
  • Weather Update: According to NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, the temperature in San Marcos began at approximately 94 degrees Thursday morning, but is likely to reach 101 degrees with winds at 3 mph. Humidity is at 6 percent.
  • Residents in the Harmony Grove area have experienced destructive wildfires in the past.
    On Oct. 21, 1996, the Harmony Grove Fire ravaged the area in southeast Carlsbad, destroying 54 homes. In that incident, shifting winds drove the fire across the southeastern boundary of the city and into residential neighborhoods of La Costa. According to City of Carlsbad records, the fire left $11.8 billion worth of damage in its wake. Four firefighters and two residents were injured. One of those residents died from severe burns sustained as he tried to evacuate his home.
  • Click for Map of Escondido Evacuations
     

Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad (renamed "San Diego Complex" Fire):

  • 75 percent contained
  • 400 acres burned
  • 22 units destroyed (a condo complex with18 units and four single family homes)
  • Started in the area of El Camino Real and Poinsettia Lane
  • 300 firefighters on fire line on Thursday morning
  • Still working to restore power (El Camino Real area to Black Rail Road)
  • At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, all evacuations were lifted
  • As of Thursday morning, Aviara Parkway between Ambrosia Lane and El Camino Real had reopened to traffic. However, officials are asking residents to limit their travel as much as possible in order to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
  • Legoland reopened after Wednesday's evacuation
  • Estimated damage at $22.5 million and counting
  • Weather Update: NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said it's about 94 degrees in Carlsbad, with 3 mph winds and 6 percent humidity.
  • The Carlsbad Police Department has established a Tip Hotline for the Poinsettia Fire. If you have any information regarding the origin of the fire or suspicious activity or persons who may be involved with the starting of the fires, please call (760) 602-7599 or email PoinsettiaFire@carlsbadca.gov
     

Tomahawk Fire near Camp Pendleton:

  • 10 aircraft crews to work on fire on Thursday
  • 12 more have been requested
  • 15 percent contained
  • 6,300 acres
  • No homes damaged; several outbuildings damaged
  • Started at Naval Weapons Station- Fallbrook
  • County issued 380 evacuation alerts for Olive Hill from South Mission to Ladera Vista
  • Evacuation order for all base housing lifted
  • 890 residents evacuated on Camp Pendleton Wednesday
  • Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook gates will be closed Thursday and traffic will not have access through the weapons station into Camp Pendleton.
  • Weather Update: According to NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, Thursday's temperature in Camp Pendleton will be about 97 degrees, with winds at 6 mph. Though the wind speeds have decreased, the heat is higher than usual, about 25 degrees above average. Also, humidity plummeted to 4 percent.

Las Pulgas Fire on Camp Pendleton

  • 600 acres
  • No containment
  • Camp Margarita to I MEF parade deck
  • Camp Las Pulgas to School of Infantry West parade deck

Highway Fire in Bonsall, Fallbrook area:

  • Cal Fire top priority on Thursday 
  • 380 acres
  • 100 percent contained as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday
  • No homes destroyed or damaged
  • Started: Old Hwy 395 north of White Lilac
  • Heavy fuels have not burned since Gopher Canyon Fire (1970)

River Fire in Oceanside:

  • 100 acres as of 10 p.m.
  • Fire contained to riverbed
  • 40 to 50 homes were evacuated
  • Evacuations lifted

Bernardo Fire:

  • 75 percent containment, as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday
  • 1,548 acres
  • Started: Nighthawk Lane, southwest of Rancho Bernardo
     

Meanwhile:

Commencement Ceremonies have been rescheduled to Sat., May 24 & Sun., May 25.

All San Diego Superior Courthouses are open

UC San Diego campus is not in immediate danger and remains open. Classes will continue as scheduled.

UC San Diego Health System hospitals and clinics also remain open

Palomar Medical Center – 2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido
All hospital and emergency services are fully operational. All elective surgeries have been cancelled for today. Inpatient surgeries will continue as scheduled, or as needed.

Palomar Health Downtown Campus – 555 East Valley Parkway, Escondido
All hospital and stand-by emergency services are fully operational. All elective surgeries have been cancelled for today. Inpatient surgeries will continue as scheduled, or as needed.

Pomerado Hospital – 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway
All hospital and emergency services are fully operational.

Expresscare Health Clinic San Elijo Hills – 1571 San Elijo Road South, San Marcos
This location will be closed today and Friday, May 16. All other expresscare health clinic locations are fully operational (Rancho Penasquitos, Escondido, Temecula).

Palomar Health at San Marcos – 120 Craven Road, San Marcos
This location will be closed today and Friday, May 16. Palomar Health services in this facility include rehabilitation, wound care, diabetes health and corporate health..

Kaiser Permanente’s San Marcos location will remain closed all day Thursday. Members who have appointments will be contacted by a Kaiser representative to reschedule. For information, patients can call (619) 662-5656. All other Kaiser Permanente facilities in San Diego are open until further notice.

Residents who evacuated with large animals can take them to Cloverdale Ranch, 2460 Cloverdale Road, in Escondido. Warner Ranch in Pala and Oceanside Ivy Ranch have closed after receiving no animals.

Resources are available to all residents who may need recovery information through the County’s recovery website at sdcountyrecovery.com.

Residents in need of information can call 211

Refresh this page for updates. NBC 7 News crews are working continuously to bring you updated information as soon as we get it.

Special Section: San Diego's May Firestorm

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