For the latest updates on the fires, follow USA TODAY's coverage for Friday, Jan. 24. SAN DIEGO − Firefighters on Thursday battled a fast-moving blaze in northern Los Angeles County that closed schools and forced thousands to flee their homes and two new fires near San Diego amid relentless Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions that have kept Southern California on high alert for over two weeks.

Two fires erupted in the San Diego area on Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuations. The Border 2 Fire, which broke out in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area east of Chula Vista and north of the U.S.-Mexico border, has burned approximately 4,250 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Residents of San Diego County are facing evacuation orders Tuesday as the Lilac Fire and Pala Fire have broken out in the region, officials say.