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San Diego County’s Border 2 fire exploded Friday morning, spreading quickly over more than 4,200 acres early Friday.
Driven by critical fire weather, the new blaze has forced evacuation orders and schools announced they would close for the day.
“The main fire spread they are concerned about is generally spreading in a northern direction,” Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson said of fire crews working to battle the Border fire.
He told The San Diego Union-Tribune early Friday that firefighters are seeing “some extreme fire behavior currently.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County-based Hughes fire, which exploded near Castaic Lake on Wednesday, has spread across 10,396 acres and is at 56 percent containment. And, the Laguna Fire, which started in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 94 acres.
Nine fires are raging across Southern California, including the deadly and destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.
Later in the day, President Donald Trump is expected to visit impacted areas to survey the damage. It’s part of his first presidential trip since taking office.
“And I hope the president comes back after his visit tomorrow and is here for not just the short run, but the long haul,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday.
LA switches attention to flooding precautions as Palisades fire continues to burn
James Liddell24 January 2025 15:45
Latest maps show evacuation orders and warnings for the Border 2 fire
The evacuation area for the Border 2 fire is a large swath stretching north to Otay Lakes Road, east to state Route 94 and Dulzura, and west to Lower Otay Lake. It also includes the Otay Open Space Preserve.
Julia Musto24 January 2025 15:38
Border 2 fire burns close to San Diego County’s Otay Water District service area
Julia Musto24 January 2025 15:27
The National Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems fleet has been activated at the Channel Islands of California
Julia Musto24 January 2025 15:25
Photos show California wildfires in action on Thursday
Julia Musto24 January 2025 15:23
California launches revamped fire relief website
Fire victims can use the website to find information on how to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief, file insurance claims, replace documents and return to their homes safely.
Graeme Massie24 January 2025 15:15
Here’s where the Southern California wildfires stand on Friday morning
There are nine fires currently burning across California.
The deadly Eaton fire is now 95 percent contained, and firefighters have made serious progress on the Palisades fire. The 23,448-acre blaze is 77 percent contained.
The 10,396-acre Hughes fire, which started on Wednesday, is now at more than half containment, and crews quickly got a handle on Thursday’s much smaller Laguna fire.
But, the San Diego County Border 2 fire has picked up steam, jumping from under a thousand acres to more than 4,000 by Friday morning. That fire is at 10 percent containment.
Thursday’s Sepulveda fire near the 405 Freeway did not grow and remained at 60 percent containment. Two other fires that started Thursday were much smaller.
Riverside’s Clay fire is 90 percent contained.
Julia Musto24 January 2025 15:10
Read More: LA fires live updates: Evacuation orders issued as Border 2 fire explodes
