Officials Urge 'Vigilance' in Emergency Preparations
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Evacuating horses in Ventura County, Calif.
With rescue and evacuation efforts underway at several California equine facilities in the wake of fast-moving fires, officials with San Diego County warned all to stay proactive in their emergency preparations.
In a Dec. 8 news conference at 1 p.m. PT streamed by CBS News 8, county supervisor Dianne Jacob stated that close to 1,000 firefighters were dedicated to the Lilac fire alone. Santa Ana winds and dry conditions made the situation extremely unpredictable.
"The good news is, we have more resources than we've ever had before on the ground and in the air to hopefully knock these fires out before they become big ones. But no matter how well prepared we are ... we know there is nothing that is going to prevent the fire situation we are facing today with those winds, which can go in any direction at any time," Jacob said. "So while we are going to be focusing on the Lilac fire, just know that everyone in the San Diego region needs to be vigilant and to be prepared.
"It's up to everyone, we're not out of the woods yet."
As of Friday afternoon, officials estimated the Lilac fire had burned over 4,100 acres and was at 0% containment.
On Dec. 7 the Lilac fire consumed much of the San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall, Calif. resulting in dozens of equine fatalities and a number of injured horsemen. It necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of horses stabled at the facility. While San Luis Rey suffered extensive damage, neighboring Trifecta Equine Athletic Center was largely unscathed by the fire and was able to take in upwards of 100 horses from the training facility.
Social media reports also stated that Ocean Breeze Ranch, the nearby home of grade 1 winner Square Eddie , was spared by the fire.
"Today is Day 2. It's possible we could be dealing with the Lilac fires and the high winds for some time to come," Jacob said. "We need to stay vigilant and be prepared."
Earlier in the week, a fast-moving Creek fire in Sylmar resulted in the deaths of nearly 30 horses at Rancho Padilla. On Dec. 7, horses also had to be evacuated from in Ventura County as the Thomas fire approached.