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Wildfire threatens homes near Palomar College

SAN MARCOS (CNS) - A brush fire swept over brushy hillsides in the area of Palomar College Thursday, Jan. 14, threatening structures and prompting evacuations in nearby residential neighborhoods.

The blaze dubbed the Comet Fire erupted for unknown reasons shortly before 12:30 p.m. off West Mission Avenue, near Comet Circle in San Marcos, according to the city's fire department.

The flames soon were burning within about 50 yards from residences along Helmsdale and Kirkwall drives, prompting evacuations along those streets just east of the college as ground crews and personnel aboard firefighting airplanes and helicopters battled the fire, SoCal Air Operations reported.

Authorities were advising residents of other nearby areas that they might be forced to clear out of their homes, as well.

As of shortly before 2 p.m., the burn area had grown to about 40 acres. By then, however, its spread had been significantly slowed by fire retardant dropped by the aircraft along the perimeters of the blaze, officials said.

There were no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries.

 

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