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California fires: Friars Fire breaks out near Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego

Published

1 year ago

January 23, 2025

California fires: Friars Fire breaks out near Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego

Nearly a thousand people are under a mandatory evacuation order after a brush fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near Fashion Valley Mall in Mission Valley.

The Friars Fire broke out just after 12:30 p.m. local time, according to Cal Fire. It is 0% contained.

The San Diego Fire Department confirmed it is at the scene battling the vegetation fire, located near Friars Road and Via de la Moda in Mission Valley.

Fire crews battle brush fire near Fashion Valley in San Diego (SDFD)

LOS ANGELES WATER CHIEF GIVEN POLICE SECURITY DETAIL FOLLOWING ‘THREATS’ AGAINST HER, EMPLOYEES

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed 20 fire engines, three brush rigs, three helicopters, two trucks, and others responded to the fire. A total of 137 personnel were assigned.

The San Diego Police Department later issued evacuation orders for nearby areas.

The fire scorched three acres and is threatening structures, according to officials.

Zones 1894-A,1975-B and 1895 are under mandatory evacuation, according to the city.

A fire in San Diego just off the 163 freeway heading into Fashion Valley (X / @MichaelJaco9)

In the evacuation order, officials noted there was an “immediate threat to life.”

Friars Road to the CA-163 freeway, and Linda Vista Road to Genesee Avenue are closed, according to the police department.

Forward fire progress was halted and no injuries or fatalities were confirmed, as of 2 p.m. local time, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

“SDFD thanks the City of Poway, and the City of Chula Vista for their assistance with this incident,” the department wrote in a statement.

Amy Reichert, founder of Restore San Diego, was in Mission Valley working on a donation drive for Los Angeles fire survivors when the most recent fire broke out.

“I was picking up donations and dropping them off when I saw the smoke,” Reichert told Fox News Digital. “I walked over the bridge on Friars Road, over 163 to where the Cheesecake Factory is, so I got really close.”

A fire in San Diego just off the 163 freeway heading into Fashion Valley (X / @MichaelJaco9)

She said she saw people and pets who lived in nearby apartments standing on Friars Road after being evacuated.

“You can clearly see the most burnt areas are at the base of electrical towers and transmission lines,” Reichert said. “After going out there and seeing how close it was to the electrical lines, I’ve got to tell you, if it was intentional, it’s pretty hard to get up there.”

However, Reichert, who ran for District 4 San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2023, was suspicious about the Lilac Fire and Pala Fire, which broke out earlier in the day.

“The Pala Fire and the Lilac Fire both broke out off of the 15, around the same time, and within close proximity,” she told Fox. “I talked to a firefighter I know, and he said he went out there, and they could see tire tracks from where they believe [someone] started [the fires]. If I had to go to Vegas right now, I’d say the Lilac and Pala were started intentionally – that it was arson. I guess there’s no way to tell, at least immediately.”

Brush fire threatening homes near San Diego (KSWB)

She added many locals are “understandably frustrated” with the idea that there may be copycat arsonists at fault for some of the fires plaguing the state, or increased fire incidents due to homeless encampments.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

An SDFD fire investigator was also assigned to look into the cause.

A temporary evacuation point was set up at the Snap Dragon West Parking Lot, located at 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego, CA 92108.

The San Diego County Office of Education announced its Linda Vista campus and Linda Vista Innovation Center were being evacuated.

“If you are en route for appointment or class, please avoid the area,” SDCOE wrote in a statement on X.

SDCOE Linda Vista locations will remain closed Tuesday and reopen for regular business hours Wednesday.

‘MILLION DOLLAR LISTING’ STAR SAYS UP TO 70% OF PALISADES RESIDENTS WILL NOT RETURN AFTER DEVASTATING LA FIRES

General views of Friendship Park in San Diego, California, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The park, which is located at the US-Mexico border, has been closed since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

San Diego County remains under a Red Flag Warning, due to strong gusty winds and low humidity, until Wednesday night.

The Lilac Fire and Pala Fire, which started Tuesday morning near Bonsall and Pala Mesa, have consumed more than 100 acres and continue to threaten homes and businesses.

Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.

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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

Published

13 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

Published

19 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

SEATTLE — Seattle is one of the only host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stadium in the heart of downtown. While that gives soccer fans a wide range of options to get to a match or join a celebration, it also requires intensive planning to meet the varying transportation needs.

Sound Transit, King County Metro, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) laid out how each of their agencies is preparing for the upcoming competition during presentations on Thursday before the Seattle City Council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

RELATED | Seattle leaders mark 100 days until FIFA World Cup with artwork, security plans

The overarching goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere for visitors while limiting traffic impacts to the shortest time period possible for those not participating in the FIFA events. Adding to the challenge is that the international match-ups are scheduled to take place on weekdays while people are trying to get to their jobs.

Extensive street closures will be in effect around the Stadium District on game days, beginning four hours before kick-off and extending two to three hours post-game. That will help accommodate the intense pedestrian traffic that is anticipated, as many as 750,000 visitors try to navigate downtown on foot.

King County Metro plans to add more service during the four weeks of the World Cup. On match days, an additional 60 buses will be in operation, scaling back to an extra 30 buses on non-match days. There will also be a Waterfront service available.

Sound Transit will add more trains and expects to transport up to 2,800 riders per hour. The added capacity will extend from three hours before a match begins and continue until three hours after the match. Service from the eastside will also be available when the Crosslake Connection opens on March 28th.

SEE ALSO | Iran’s participation in Seattle World Cup match up in the air following US strikes

Both systems will now allow payment to be made by tapping a debit or credit card, in addition to the standard ORCA cards that have been used to cover fares. Sound Transit will also introduce a three-day visitor pass available through an ORCA card.

WSDOT will tear down its Revive I-5 construction zone on the Ship Canal Bridge and alternate the express lanes between north- and southbound directions depending on the time of day.

To help in these transit efforts, just this week Congress allocated money $8.4 million for transit service, which is on top of $9 million already promised last year by the state.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

25 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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