Weather

CA Fire Photos: New Fires Break Out As Powerful Winds Return

Returning Santa Ana winds are buffeting Southern California, where the Lilac Fire is burning of dry brush and buildings. See photos.

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Firefighter Joshua Cari sprays water while battling the Lilac Fire near the Bonsall community of San Diego County, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Firefighter Joshua Cari sprays water while battling the Lilac Fire near the Bonsall community of San Diego County, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

SAN DIEGO, CA-- The Santa Ana winds returned to Southern California Monday with strong gusts predicted to reach between 70 and 100 mph. Firefighters are, yet again, battling new fires in persistent dry conditions for a third straight week.

Firefighters responded to several small fires across San Diego County over the last day and evacuation orders were ordered after the Lilac Fire kicked up early Tuesday morning.

SEE ALSO: See Lilac Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas

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Additionally, Los Angeles firefighters were able to quickly put out a small fire near the iconic Griffith Observatory over the holiday weekend. A man was taken into custody after being suspected of starting the fire. Firefighters also put out a fire in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Granada Hills and another one over in San Clemente.

SEE ALSO: Dangerous Winds Return To Region As Wildfires Spark In SD County

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Even as new fires erupt, people are picking up the pieces left behind in the wake of the catastrophic Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County. The fires have killed 27 people and decimated 14,000 structures. As of Tuesday the Palisades fire and Eaton fire are 61% and 87% contained respectively.

See some of the newest photos below as the fires continue in Southern California:

Vehicles pass through smoke from the Lilac Fire in Bonsall, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Strong winds carry embers as firefighters work to extinguishe a brush fire in the Winchester community of Riverside County. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighter Joshua Cari sprays water while battling the Lilac Fire near the Bonsall community of San Diego County. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters stand along a ridge as they battle the Lilac Fire. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire along Interstate 15. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Two firefighters roll up a fire hose. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Firefighters walk up a ridge to battle the Lilac Fire. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Vehicles drive along Interstate 15 as the Lilac Fire burns along a hillside in Bonsall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Joel Parkes, a teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District returns to his destroyed home in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Joel Parkes surveys the damage after the Eaton Fire. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Debris from a destroyed home is seen as a newly built ADU. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Homeowner David Marquez, left, holds a metal detector as his father, Juan Pablo Alvarado, right, and a friend look for the remains of gold jewelry and other silver items inside the walls of their multi-generational home in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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