Wildfires

Thousands of Southern California residents were under evacuation orders and warnings Tuesday as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near celebrities’ seaside mansions, horse farms and Pepperdine University, where students watched as flames raced down hillsides and the sky turned deep red.

Some residents soaked their lawns with sprinklers just in case a fire broke out amid a red flag warning across San Diego County Tuesday. NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes spoke to one neighbor who wanted to take precaution so that history would not repeat itself.

A wildfire burned at least two acres of brush Tuesday in the Ramona area, amid Santa Ana winds, according to Cal Fire San Diego. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford has details.

A brush fire began burning Tuesday morning in an area of rugged, mountainous terrain in the East County community of Dulzura. The so-called #Border 79 Fire, which is in Marron Valley, was first reported a little after 10:30 a.m.

The so-called #Border 79 Fire, which is in Marron Valley, was first reported a little after 10:30 a.m.

Santa Ana winds and extremely low humidity were creating a dangerous weather concoction for Southern California that sparked wildfires and forced SDG&E to cut power to tens of thousands of customers.

More than 50,000 people were without electricity Tuesday morning as SDG&E takes precautions against wildfires. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford has more on the shut-offs and a small brush fire that started in Ramona overnight. 

Firefighters continue to battle the flames of a 2,200-acre wildfire that started Monday night, prompting evacuation orders, road closures and school closures in Malibu near Pepperdine University.

The utility company warned customers they could shut off power anytime from 10 a.m. Monday to noon Friday after a red flag warning was issued by the National Weather Service, reports NBC 7’s Audra Stafford.

Crews were called around 2:20 p.m. to the area of Proctor Valley Road and Coyote Road for the fire.

The cause of multiple fires in East County, all located near one another, is being investigated by Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said Wednesday crews will soon be conducting prescribed burns in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Dulzura residents can currently apply for the program; applications will open in the future for residents in Potrero and Campo, reports NBC 7’s Todd Strain.

A Dulzura homeowner became the first in San Diego County to get a wildfire-hardened home as part the California Wildfire Mitigation Program.

Law enforcement officers and animal advocates are searching for the person or group responsible for shooting several wild parrots in the San Gabriel Valley.

A Camarillo family found a wedding ring in the field of ashes after the Mountain Fire destroyed their home.

Mountain Fire in Ventura County destroyed an avocado orchard, which once was a Somis man’s dream, retirement plant and paradise,

A class ring was among the few items left behind after the Mountain Fire destroyed a Camarillo home.

The Mountain Fire in Ventura County has been contained by 26% as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

Authorities are reporting the death of a New York forest ranger battling one of a number of wildfires in New Jersey and New York amid dry conditions that have prompted air quality warnings in both states.