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May 16, 2014
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A helicopter drops water on flames near Poinsettia Lane in Carlsbad on Wednesday. Fires destroyed multiple homes in Carlsbad and San Marcos. More pictures on A6. Photo by Jared Whitlock
Fires burn North County homes, evacuations ordered By Jared Whitlock
CARLSBAD — Flames crackled in front of Greg Saska, who watched his home on Skimmer Court burn around noon on Wednesday. “It’s almost too much to bear,” 63-yearold Saska said, noting he’s lived at the home since 1967. “I don’t think much will be saved. “I have two cars in the garage there, making it even worse,” Saska added. Six firefighters on scene sprayed the fire, containing it from spreading to nearby homes. Still, flames engulfed Saska’s house. Saska wasn’t alone. The fire destroyed eight single-family homes in Carlsbad, ac-
cording to the county’s emergency website on Thursday morning. Dubbed the Poinsettia fire, it also scorched an 18-unit complex in the city. All told, damage was estimated at $18.5 million. The Poinsettia fire, by Thursday, had burned 400 acres and was 60 percent contained. Fires erupted in several other spots on Wednesday, forcing evacuations of businesses, parks, Cal State San Marcos and other schools. It also caused road closures and heavy traffic jams. On Thursday, firefighters battled a 700acre fire in San Marcos. Known as the Cocos
fire, it destroyed three structures and was zero percent contained at the time. The Tomahawk fire in Camp Pendleton scorched 6,000 acres and was about 20 percent contained. At press time, the fire hadn’t damaged any homes, but forced evacuations at two housing areas and two schools on base. On Thursday, crews continued to fight the Bernardo Fire in San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe, which spread on Tuesday. It had burned 1,548 acres and was 75 percent contained. Other fires broke out in Oceanside, Escondido and Scripps Ranch on Wednesday,
but were reportedly contained and didn’t lead to damage. Back in Carlsbad on Wednesday, John Buchanan, a fire engineer and public information officer with North County Fire, said crews were working feverishly to prevent the fire from reaching other homes. Buchanan and other firefighters could be seen drawing water from fire hydrants to hose down trees and homes. Standing at a lookout near Poinsettia Lane, residents watched large flames consume brush, plants and trees. Helicopters TURN TO FIRES ON A16