The 4,100-acre Lilac Fire in San Diego has already destroyed or damaged more than 200 structures, including 104 residential homes and 78 accessory structures, such as barns and sheds. The fire ripped through at least eight barns at the San Luis Rey Downs horse-training facility, where 35 thoroughbreds have died.
NBC San Diego reports: “In the rush to get horses to safety, many were simply allowed to run free once the flames began to sweep through the barns. At first, trainers tried to coax the thousand-pound animals to the safer infield area and racetrack in an orderly fashion.
But once the fire hit, and authorities declared the conditions unsafe, the horses were pushed from the barns and allowed to run free, causing confusion and panic as some of the animals bolted to the main track, and others simply circled their fiery homes.”
Leo Tapia, a quick-thinking groomer, was a hero among the destruction. While recording a chaotic video on Facebook live, he frantically took action. “I was just scared, but I wasn’t thinking,” he told 10News. “It was just too fast — everything.” Leo’s Facebook video went viral with more than 300,000 views.