North County brush fire prompts evacuation orders

A fast-spreading brush fire in Fallbrook, west of Interstate 15, triggered evacuation orders as it threatened homes Friday afternoon.

According to North County Fire Protection District officials, the fire, dubbed the Garden Fire, broke out around 1 p.m. and had spread to 15 acres within half an hour.

Fire officials reported there was potential to grow to 100 acres due to the “moderate to dangerous rate of spread.” It was first reported in the area of ​​Lake Garden Drive east of Gird Road.

https://twitter.com/NorthCountyFire/status/1855002646966681998

Evacuations were ordered for neighborhoods north of State Route 76 and south of Pala Mesa Drive. Around 1:30 p.m., officials expanded the evacuation zone to include some neighborhoods near Gird Road and Knottwood Way.

An evacuation site has been set up at Riverview Church, 4980 Sweetgrass Lane.

Originally published: November 8, 2024 at 1:47 pm PST