Fire Threatens Homes Near Palomar College In San Marcos

Carlsbad CA

14 January, 2021

4:11 PM

Description

SAN MARCOS, CA — Crews have halted a brush fire at Palomar College in San Marcos that threatened structures, prompted evacuation warnings and sent smoke Thursday over San Diego's North County. The blaze broke out around 12:30 p.m. in a botanical garden at the community college off West Mission Road, according to the San Marcos Fire Department. By 1:47 p.m., the fire had scorched 40 acres. The flames spread east of Comet Circle, within about 50 yards of residences along Helmsdale and Kirkwall drives, SoCal Air Operations reported. Authorities issued evacuation warnings from east Las Posas Road, west to Twin Oaks Valley Road, north of Mission Road and south of Borden Road. A temporary evacuation point was established in Lots X, Y and Z at Cal State San Marcos at 399 South Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. The fire started in the Edwin and Frances Hunter Arboretum at Palomar College, campus officials said. "Due to the swift reaction of our facilities team to contact the fire department, the fire is not a current threat to the campus," officials said on Twitter. Humidity was about 20 percent and temperatures were in the high 80s in the area, according to the National Weather Service. "Elevated fire weather conditions will continue through the day," the NWS San Diego said on Twitter. By 2:50 p.m., crews stopped forward progress of the flames, according to the San Marcos Fire Department. Palomar College Vegetation Fire Update: Fire is currently at 30 acres with a continued structure threat. Comet IC requesting 3 strike teams. @CALFIRESANDIEGO and @SDSheriff Aircraft currently overhead. pic.twitter.com/DAotrJ6zX4— San Marcos Fire Dept (@SMFD) January 14, 2021 .@CALFIRESANDIEGO has sent air resources to assist @SMFD with a vegetation fire at Palomar College in San Marcos. Please follow @SMFD for further updates. https://t.co/qGenCcpUA5— CAL FIRE/SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) January 14, 2021 San Marcos Firefighters on scene of a Vegetation Fire at Palomar College. Smoke currently seen throughout north county. @sanmarcoscity @PCPDBlue pic.twitter.com/iyocykp90b— San Marcos Fire Dept (@SMFD) January 14, 2021 Winds are relatively light in the area, however are aligned with terrain. Humidity is currently ~20%, with temperatures in the high 80's. Elevated fire weather conditions will continue through the day. https://t.co/UcVc17KAwu— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 14, 2021 City News Service contributed to this report.