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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Evacuation orders have been issued in San Diego County as two new wildfires ignited in Southern California on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
Earlier this month, strong Santa Ana winds created the ideal conditions for fire to spread, spurring flames at multiple wildfires in Los Angeles. Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire that ignited on January 7. Those two fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed thousands of structures.
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Two smaller fires are now posing a threat further south, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders and warnings.
What to Know
After a brief respite last weekend, strong winds have returned to Southern California. Red flag warnings and high wind warnings were issued across the region on Monday.
As of Tuesday morning, the two new fires have been called the Lilac Fire and the Pala Fire. Both started in San Diego County in the early hours of Tuesday.
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Where Is the Lilac Fire Located?
The Lilac Fire was burning near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall, California, 47 miles north of San Diego. Structures are threatened by the flames.
As of the most recent update, the Lilac Fire is 80 acres in size, with a moderate rate of growth. It has been 10 percent contained.
Evacuation orders, asking residents to leave immediately because of the threat to life, extend north of Calle de Talar, south of Pala Road, west of Interstate 15 and east of Dunlin Ranch Road. Evacuation warnings in which there is a potential threat to life or property, extend further south to Camino del Rey.
Pala Fire
The Pala Fire ignited several hours after the Lilac Fire at around 6:30 a.m. local time. It is 17 acres in size and not at all contained. It's burning north of the Lilac Fire, near Interstate 15 in Pala Mesa.
Evacuation orders have been lifted, and the most recent CAL FIRE update said that the fire's forward progression had stopped.
Los Angeles Wildfires
At more than 23,700 acres in size, the Palisades Fire is now 63 percent contained. The Eaton Fire, which is more than 14,000 acres, is 89 percent contained.
Evacuation orders are still in place for both fires.
What People Are Saying
Robert Johnson, a fire captain with CAL FIRE San Diego County Fire, told Newsweek: "We have over 200 firefighters assigned to this incident from various different agencies. The winds were stronger earlier in the morning, but they have died down. Firefighters are making good progress, and we are cautiously optimistic."
National Weather Service (NWS) San Diego office in a red flag warning: "If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior."
What Happens Next
Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist in San Diego through Tuesday. The NWS San Diego office has red flag warnings and high wind warnings in place.
After the red flag warning expires on Tuesday, a fire weather watch will remain in place through Thursday.
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