Lilac Fire containment reaches 50 percent, some evacuations still in effect

PALA MESA - Firefighters continued to make progress today against the Lilac Fire on their third day battling the blaze that has scorched more than 4,100 acres near Fallbrook, destroyed 182 structures and damaged 23 others.

Thousands of North County residents fled their homes after the blaze broke out for unknown reasons around 11:30 a.m. Thursday just west of Interstate 15 and north of Lilac Road in Pala Mesa amid gusty, arid weather.

About 110 people who remain evacuated from their homes due to the fire have been consolidated to two shelters: Palomar College in San Marcos and Bostonia Park an...