Pictures: San Diego Blazes Get Wildfire Season Off to Early Start
Drought, warm temperatures, and gusty winds fan the flames of nine wildfires burning across San Diego, California.
Nine wildfires are burning across San Diego County, as record dry conditions, warm temperatures, and gusty winds contribute to an early start to the Golden State's fire season. (See "Behind California's January Wildfires: Dry Conditions, Stubborn Weather Pattern.")
The San Diego fires threaten homes—including those in the community of Carlsbad, California, above—schools, and military bases. More than 9,000 acres have burned so far, with the scattered fires at various levels of containment.
Residents look on as firefighters douse the burned-out husks of their homes in Carlsbad, California (map), on Thursday. This particular fire, named the Poinsettia fire, burned at least eight homes and damaged eight condominiums and two businesses. The seaside community evacuated about 15,000 homes and businesses.
Remnants of
