Retirement communities built on golf courses, thoroughbreds in race horse stables and other usually serene sites were engulfed by flames as the San Diego area became the latest front in California's wildfire fight.
The fire broke out Thursday amid dry, hot, windy conditions across the region that would be extreme for any season, but are especially stunning just two weeks from winter.
It exceeded 6 square miles (16 square kilometres) in a matter of hours and burned dozens of houses as it tore through the tightly packed Rancho Monserate Country Club community in the small city of Fallbrook, known for its avocado orchards and horse ranches.
Three people were burned while escaping the flames and at least 65 structures were destroyed, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Trees were charred for miles along winding State Route 76 in the community of Bonsall and some houses lay in ruins on a road not far off the highway. At one home, a goose and a rooster remained, the latter crowing repeatedly Friday morning.
The fire remained uncontained although the winds subsided significantly overnight. Forecasters said they would return later in the day but would be less widespread.
The fire was on the eastern border of the Marine Corps' vast Camp Pendleton, where base Fire Chief Thomas Thompson told Fox5 San Diego that the lack of wind should help the firefight. Marine and Navy aircraft will join the battle, he said.
Meanwhile, firefighters in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, gained 10 per cent containment of the largest and most destructive fire in the state, which has destroyed 430 buildings.
The so-called Thomas Fire has grown to 206 square miles (533 sq. kilometres) since it broke out Monday. Fire crews also made enough progress against other large fires around Los Angeles to lift most evacuation orders.
The fire 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of San Diego, driven by winds above 35 mph (56 kph), razed rows of trailer homes in the retirement community, leaving charred and mangled metal in its wake.
It wasn't immediately known what sparked the fire next to State Highway 76, but strong winds carried it across six lanes to the other side.
Evacuations were ordered in the area near Camp Pendleton and schools and casinos were being used as shelters.
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