(CNN) A wildfire in northern San Diego County has scorched 3,000 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations, according to Cal Fire and US Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The blaze was 35% contained late Thursday morning, according to Cal FireThe Creek Fire began late Wednesday night near Fallbrook and forced the evacuations of at least 7,000 residents from the community of 30,000 next to Camp Pendleton. The southwestern part of the state is under a red flag warning -- warm, dry, windy conditions -- until noon on Thursday. Gusty winds have peaked and will "slowly but surely weaken," according to the National Weather Service's San Diego office. It is common for utility companies to enact a Public Safety Power Shutoff to prevent equipment from sparking fires during such weather conditions.

Source: CNN December 24, 2020 14:59 UTC