FALLBROOK, Calif. (AP) – The Latest on Southern California wildfires (all times local):
10:10 a.m.
Authorities say 85 structures have been destroyed by a wind-driven wildfire that swept through a semi-rural area of northern San Diego County.
Fire crews search for hot spots among destroyed homes in the Rancho Monserate Country Club community Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Fallbrook, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob says it’s not clear if all of those structures are homes.
The fire erupted Thursday and rapidly expanded to more than 6 square miles (15 sq. kilometers) until fierce Santa Ana winds subsided.
Cal Fire says there’s still zero containment, but a fleet of air tankers will be aiding more than 1,000 firefighters on the ground.
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7:48 a.m.
At least 65 structures have been destroyed by a wildfire in semi-rural north San Diego County.
Cal Fire also says there’s still no containment of the fire early Friday.
The blaze exceeded 6 square miles (16 square kilometers) in a matter of hours Thursday and burned dozens of houses as it tore through the tightly packed Rancho Monserate Country Club community in the small city of Fallbrook.
Strong winds subsided overnight, but forecasters say they will return later Friday, although they will be less widespread.
The fire is on the eastern border of the Marine Corps’ sprawling Camp Pendleton, and military aircraft are expected to help battle the flames.
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6:04 a.m.
Winds driving an uncontained wildfire in northern San Diego County subsided substantially overnight but forecasters say they will return after sunrise Friday.
The fire erupted Thursday and quickly burned dozens of homes as it spread over more than 6 square miles (15.5 sq. kilometers) and pushed west.
The National Weather Service says there will be a resurgence of winds after daybreak with gusts up to 60 mph (96 kph) directly below mountain slopes and in passes but will be less widespread than on Thursday.
The fire also tore through a horse racing training center, where state authorities now estimate about 25 of the 500 horses stabled there were killed.
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12:14 a.m.
California’s newest wildfire tore through retirement communities built on golf courses and killed elite thoroughbred horses in its first destructive day.
The new blaze in San Diego County means a huge swath of Southern California is now in flames. December’s shockingly dry, hot and windy conditions brought on unprecedented fire danger.
The San Diego-area fire quickly grew to more than 6 square miles and burned dozens of homes at Rancho Monserate Country Club.
Flames engulfed a horse training center, prompting trainers to unlock stables and encourage hundreds of race horses to run for their lives. It’s not clear how many died.
The region’s biggest fire, which is 200 miles north, keeps growing and has destroyed more than 400 homes and buildings.
Fire crews search for hot spots among destroyed homes in the Rancho Monserate Country Club community Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Fallbrook, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
CORRECTS SPELLING OF CITY TO BONSALL INSTEAD OF BONSAI – Flames consume a structure as the Lilac fire burns in Bonsall, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. The blaze burned numerous structures and thousands of acres according to fire officials. Wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
CORRECTS SPELLING OF CITY TO BONSALL INSTEAD OF BONSAI – Firefighters battle the Lilac fire in Bonsall, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. The blaze burned numerous structures and thousands of acres according to fire officials. Wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
CORRECTS SPELLING OF CITY TO BONSALL INSTEAD OF BONSAI – Flames consume a residence as the Lilac fire burns in Bonsall, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. The blaze burned numerous structures and thousands of acres according to fire officials. Wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Fire crews prepare to defend a home as a wildfire advances Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Bonsall, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A helicopter drops water over a wildfire Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Bonsall, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Fire crews look on as they fight a wildfire Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Bonsall, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Cynthia Olvera listens to an announcement that the evacuation shelter she’s in at Fallbrook High School in Fallbrook, Calif., is itself being evacuated because of the wildfire in San Diego County, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Olvera and her family had to flee their home in Bonsall, Calif. (AP Photo/Elliot Spagat)
A helicopter flies over a wildfire Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Bonsall, Calif. The wind-swept blazes have forced tens of thousands of evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes in Southern California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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