Horses evacuated during wildfire return to San Diego stables

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Hundreds of thoroughbred horses evacuated during a wildfire late last year are being returned to their home at the San Luis Rey Training Center near San Diego.

Forty-six horses were killed when the Lilac Fire raced along the rolling hills near Fallbrook, known for its stables and avocado groves.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that more than 400 surviving horses are being brought back to new stables or refurbished older ones that withstood the blaze. Since the Dec. 7 fire, the horses had been stabled about 50 miles (80 kilometers) away at Del Mar racetrack.

The newspaper says all the horses should be back at San Luis Rey by the end of the weekend. Accompanying the horses are trainers, groomers and stable hands who also had taken up post-fire residence at Del Mar.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/