California wild fires updates: Trump makes wild claims about LA fires and snubs Newsom ahead of visit

Firefighters tackle raging San Diego wildfire as evacuation orders issued

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San Diego County’s Border 2 fire exploded Friday morning, spreading quickly over more than 4,200 acres early Friday.

Driven by critical fire weather, the new blaze has forced evacuation orders and schools announced they would close for the day.

“The main fire spread they are concerned about is generally spreading in a northern direction,” Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson said of fire crews working to battle the Border fire.

He told The San Diego Union-Tribune early Friday that firefighters are seeing “some extreme fire behavior currently.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County-based Hughes fire, which exploded near Castaic Lake on Wednesday, has spread across 10,396 acres and is at 56 percent containment. And, the Laguna Fire, which started in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 94 acres.

Nine fires are raging across Southern California, including the deadly and destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.

Later in the day, President Donald Trump is expected to visit impacted areas to survey the damage. It’s part of his first presidential trip since taking office.

“And I hope the president comes back after his visit tomorrow and is here for not just the short run, but the long haul,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

Third disaster center opens in Altadena

Julia Musto24 January 2025 21:26

Photos show Palisades wildfire devastation ahead of Trump’s visit

A warning sign is posted at a property destroyed by the Los Angeles fires as President Donald Trump prepares to tour areas devastated by the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, on Friday. The sign marks the area as ‘unsafe’ (AFP via Getty Images)