Tens of thousands of homes have been evacuated in the suburbs
of San Diego
Wildfires continue to rage in
southern California on a second day, as thousands of people in San Diego county
are forced to flee their homes. A major fire engulfed the coastal town of Carlsbad, north of San Diego,
scorching several buildings and forcing an amusement park to close. Further north, blazes also caused evacuations at a nuclear plant and a
military base. Months of drought have made California particularly prone to fires this
year. The state, and other areas on the US west coast, often experience wildfires
over the warmer months. No major injuries were reported but at least one firefighter has been
slightly injured.
A water bomber flew over a hillside in San Marcos,
California
Evacuation advisories remained in effect on Thursday
as firefighters fought to contain the blaze
San Diego Sherriff's deputies watched fire crews
battle a blaze in San Marcos
A military helicopter dropped water on the spreading
wildfire
Firefighters are battling blazes in San Diego County
in California
Homes in San Marcos and Carlsbad were affected, with
20,000 people ordered to evacuate
At least one firefighter suffered slight injuries,
but no deaths have been reported so far
Nine fires raged across San Diego county on Tuesday and Wednesday burning
more than 14 sq miles (36 sq km). Four air tankers and 22 military helicopters were employed fighting the
fires. Officials have ordered at least 20,000 people to leave their homes. In Carlsbad, a condominium complex and four residences were
destroyed.
The Legoland theme park in Carlsbad was closed due to power surges, while San
Onofre nuclear power plant evacuated non-essential staff as a
precautionary measure. And the campus of California State University-San Marcos, with almost 10,000
students, has been shut down amid the university's final exams, with all
commencement ceremonies cancelled.
Fires also hit the military base at Camp Pendleton, between San Diego and Los
Angeles. Carlsbad fire chief Michael Davies said such fires were unprecedented this
time of year.
"This is May, this is unbelievable. This is something we should see in
October," he said.Officials say tinder-dry conditions following many months of drought -
coupled with the winds and high temperatures - have left parts of the region
highly combustible.
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