A 1,500-acre wildfire destroyed about 100 structures in Fallbrook, where some 45,000 residents were evacuated today.
The fire erupted in the Rice Canyon area, south of Rainbow, about 4:15 a.m. yesterday, according to the state Department of Forestry or Cal Fire.
About 45,000 people were evacuated over the course of the day, fire officials said. Many were directed out of the area through Camp Pendleton to the west.
By about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, the fire had crossed Interstate 15 and moved into Fallbrook, where it leveled about 100 structures, officials said. One firefighter suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze.
An evacuation order was issued for the southern reaches of the town by mid-afternoon. Last night, the fire was burning on the southern and northern edges of town, Cal Fire Capt. Don Camp said.
