Friday, May 16, 2014
Firefighters plan their attack as the brush fire flares up heading toward homes Thursday, May 15, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. Gusty winds failed to return Thursday morning in San Diego County wildfire areas and authorities said it was a window of opportunity to make further gains against flames that burned homes and drove tens of thousands from their homes. (AP Photo)
Scorching flames and thick smoke continues to threaten homes across northern San Diego County, California, fueled by high winds, heat and very low humidity. At least nine fires have scorched thousands of acres, forced the evacuation of thousands and claimed more than $22.5 million in property damage this week.
The causes of the fires are being investigated, according to the Associated Press. California Governor Edmund Brown declared a state of emergency for San Diego County Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday, a wildfire near Carlsbad claimed several homes and destroyed two commercial buildings, with early structural damage assessments estimated at $22.5 million, according to the report.
Another fire Wednesday ignited near Camp Pendleton and has since grown to 6,000 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported.
Terra satellite image taken today 05/14/14 between 18:05-19:45 UTC. You can see #smoke from the fires in San Diego Co pic.twitter.com/Ms6qp8LP1L
- OC Skywarn (@OCSkywarn) May 14, 2014
Scorching flames and thick smoke continues to threaten homes across northern San Diego County, California, fueled by high winds, heat and very low humidity.
At least nine fires have scorched thousands of acres, forced the evacuation of thousands and claimed more than $22.5 million in property damage this week.
By late Wednesday, a fire ignited near San Marcos and had consumed more than 800 acres by Thursday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
A wildfire approaches homes on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in San Marcos, California. (AP Photo)
As of Thursday morning, multiple fires near San Marcos was reported to have damaged and claimed homes, according to the city's official report.
Dramatic #photo Fire tornado pushing through neighborhood in San Marcos. pic.twitter.com/8zYKP6LYq6
- Tara Wallis (@tarawallis) May 15, 2014
California State University San Marcos has been evacuated and is closed for the rest of the week. Commencement ceremonies scheduled for Friday and Saturday have been canceled.
President Dr. Karen Haynes said on the school's website: "Canceling commencement was not a decision we took lightly and we are saddened by the circumstances. Safety continues to be our first concern."
A firenado is born out of a fire in Bonsall, California, on Thursday, May 14, 2014. (Photo/Rick Halsey, californiachaparral.org)
The fires have been able to spread quickly due to heat and persistent, dry winds.
"The heat is going to continue right through into the end of the week," AccuWeather.com meteorologist Brian Edwards said, adding the threat of high winds should wane slightly by week's end.
No major injuries have been reported as of Thursday afternoon.
PHOTOS ON SKYE: Southern California Wildfire Spreads
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