Podiatrist in Temecula, CA

One firefighter was injured in the battle to contain the blaze that was still threatening more than 2,300 structures.

|Updated Tue, Oct 31, 2023 at 8:12 pm PT

More than 1,100 personnel on the ground and in the air are assigned to the blaze — now 10% contained — burning in the unincorporated community of Aguanga, according to a Tuesday night update from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

"The fire growth throughout the day was minimal; however, easterly winds continued and are forecast to remain in the area through Thursday evening, which have the potential to continue pushing the fire in a west/southwest direction," the fire department reported. "Current and expected weather of steady winds with low relative humidity may increase the risk of erratic fire behavior."

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An evacuation warning was also issued for the following areas:

NOTE: Check https://linktr.ee/calfirerru for the latest on evacuation orders and warnings.

A care and reception center was established at Great Oak High School, 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula, for those evacuated from their homes.

San Jacinto Animal Shelter opened for large and small animals at 581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto.

The blaze was reported about 12:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, near the junction for Highways 79 and 371, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

No injuries were reported as of 6:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Corona Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, U.S. Forest Service and other departments were sent to the location and initially encountered flames moving at a moderate rate to the west.

The fire is being attacked on the ground and from the air.

Tankers trying to make a few last drops before dark. #highlandfire #aguangaca pic.twitter.com/09QBRQeKjB— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) October 31, 2023

More than 300 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Several scattered residences were in the path of the flames, officials said.

The fire started on or near a residential property.

The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known.

Jojoba Hills RV Resort - Night water dropping helicopter is working in this area. #calfire #highlandfire pic.twitter.com/CkgWz1h3bO— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) October 31, 2023

Check back for updates.

Another fire burned south of Temecula in Rancho Bernardo Monday afternoon. That blaze affected northbound Interstate 15 rush-hour traffic. Read more here.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton also reported a blaze Monday afternoon that sent smoke across the region. Shortly before 7 p.m., base officials said the non-injury fire was fully contained and no structures were damaged.

AGUANGA, CA — A wildfire that burned nearly 2,500 acres and damaged properties in Aguanga remained active Wednesday but was barely budging, prompting a reduction in Cal Fire air crews orbiting the fire zone and a restoration of electricity that had been turned off for public safety at the height of the blaze.

Related: Inferno In Photos: SoCal Windstorm Contributes To Swift-Burning Fire

The brush fire, which erupted about 12:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, near the junction of Highways 79 and 371, was holding at 2,487 acres, with 15% containment as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

A public safety power shutoff -- during which transmission lines are de-energized -- requested by fire personnel during the first hours of the brusher along Highway 79 ended at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to officials at the scene. However, about 115 Southern Calfornia Edison customers remained without electricity in the area, according to the utility.

Around noon Wednesday, all Cal Fire air tankers and the "air attack" operations coordinator departed the area, returning to Hemet-Ryan Airport, with flames largely confined within the acreage where tankers had dropped fire retardant since Monday. One Cal Fire helicopter was standing by to make targeted drops at the request of ground personnel, according to reports from the scene.

The National Weather Service forecast winds between 15 and 20 mph early Wednesday afternoon, but it was unknown how much impact they'd have. Winds were expected to be light and variable during the evening hours.

"The fire behavior overnight was minimal, with some minor creeping and smoldering observed," according to a fire department statement. "Easterly winds are forecast to continue in the area through Thursday evening, which have the potential to push the fire in a southwest direction. Firefighters will continue constructing hand line around the perimeter."

The agency said firefighters were trying to stamp out flames in "extremely steep and rugged terrain."

As of Wednesday morning, nine structures, including three homes, were either damaged or destroyed by the brusher. One firefighter injury was reported, but no details were immediately available.

RELATED: 3 Families Lose Everything In The Highland Fire: How To Help

Roughly 4,000 residents were under evacuation orders or warnings. A care and reception center was established for evacuees at Great Oak High School in Temecula. Residents with large and small pets were invited to drop them at the San Jacino Valley Animal Campus for safekeeping.

Evacuation orders were in place:-- south of Sage Road, north of Cottonwood Creek, between Becker Lane and Boulder Vista;-- south of Highway 371, west of Sorenson Road and north of San Diego County Line Road;-- north of David Street, south of Pueblo Road, between Vail Lake Resort and Shirley Way; and-- south of Highway 79, north of the San Diego County line, between Forest Route 8S07 and Crosley Truck Trail.

Evacuation warnings were in place:-- west of the Cahuilla Tribal Reservation boundary and north of County Line Road; and-- north of Cleveland National Forest, south of Watts Road and Avenida Bravura, between De Portola Road and Round Top Canyon Road.

As of Wednesday morning, about 1,000 firefighters were working to shore up containment lines.

Road closures remained in effect Wednesday on Highway 79 from Vail Lake to the San Diego County line; Sage Road from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road; Wilson Valley Road, from Sage Road to Highway 371; and Highway 371, from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road.

The blaze started near a residence, but the exact cause was under investigation.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Tuesday issued a wildfire smoke advisory due to the blaze, nothing that winds have been pushing the smoke toward Temecula and San Clemente. The air-quality agency urged residents in affected areas to limit their exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed, running air conditions or air purifiers and avoiding vigorous outdoor physical activity. Residents were also told to avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air.

Related:

Inferno In Photos: SoCal Windstorm Contributes To Swift-Burning Fire

The bi-annual guide highlights the many classes, events and programs offered throughout the city of Temecula.

Patch Staff

Press release from the City of Temecula:

October 25, 2023

The City of Temecula Community Services Department is proud to announce that the Winter / Spring 2024Guide to Leisure Activities is currently being mailed out to residents and is now available online! The Guide will also be available at select City of Temecula facilities. This bi-annual Guide highlights the many classes, events, and programs offered throughout the City of Temecula. Registration for classes opens on MON, NOV 6, 2023, at 8:00 am. To browse content and to access or create an account, please visit TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD.

Signature Winter events return, beginning with Santa’s Arrival at Pennypickle’s Workshop; Christmas Tree Lighting; Santa’s Electric Light Parade; Temecula on Ice Skating Rink; and the very popular, New Year’s Eve Grape Drop! There are many more opportunities to celebrate the magic of the season. Be sure to bring the family and experience Temecula Chilled!

Also featured within the pages of the Guide are premiere recreation facilities in Temecula. This season will welcome back full programming at the newly renovated Mary Phillips Senior Center as well as the highly anticipated opening of the newly built Margarita Recreation Center, opening in early 2024. This facility will include a 25-yard swimming pool, classroom space for community programs, and a dance studio. We look forward to welcoming you to this new intergenerational facility.

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It is with pride that we continue our commitment to creating community through people, parks, and programs, by offering a variety of services, special events, and cultural opportunities for all of Temecula’s residents.

For more information on Community Services events and updates, please follow @TemeculaParksAndRec on social media, and visit our website at TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD.

This press release was produced by the City of Temecula. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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A wind-fanned wildfire doubled in size overnight in Riverside County, where thousands of people are under evacuation orders and at least one home was destroyed.

The brush fire started Monday afternoon in the Aguanga area of Riverside County, about 60 miles southwest of Palm Springs. The origin of the fire is near the junction of highways 79 and 371.

About 1,300 homes and 4,000 residents were under evacuation orders, fire spokesman Jeff LaRusso said Monday.

CalFire said the Highland Fire, was first reported at 12:37 p.m. between Highland Road and Aguanga Ranchos Road. As of 7:51 p.m., the fire spread to 1,219 acres, but doubled in size to more than 2,200 acres by Tuesday morning.

"We're smelling smoke, we're saying, 'Ok, could be a little fire,'" said Greg Silks, who manages Saddle Up Ranch. "More and more. Bigger smoke in the air. Here comes all the aircraft. Closed the highway down. We said, 'Oh, this thing's coming.'

Silks and others at the ranch evacuated.

At least one home was destroyed in the fire. Several cars also appeared to have been destroyed, transformed into metal carcasses by the wind-driven flames.

No injuries have been reported.

Highway 79, connecting Aguanga with Temecula to the west, was closed to allow access to the area for fire crews.

Winds in the area have diminished, which could aid firefighters, but conditions will remain dry and warm. There was no containment as of Tuesday morning as firefighting aircraft, including an air tanker, made drops on the flames. Red fire retardant painted hillsides, limiting the fire's spread.

Several departments responded in assistance to battle the blaze, including fire stations from Corona, Hemet, Murrieta, Palm Springs and the U.S. Forest Service.

Thousands of people were under evacuation orders, which were updated early Tuesday.

Evacuations

Residents in the following areas have been ordered to vacate their homes:

Meanwhile, an evacuation warning was issued for the following areas:

Shelters

Residents under the order and warning will be able to take shelter at Great Oak High School in Temecula. The address for that center is 32555 Deer Hollow Way.

Those who have large animals can take them to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter for safety. The shelter is located at 581 S. Grand Ave.

Weather

The fire comes as several counties in Southern California are under a red flag warning amid breezy Santa Ana winds. The National Weather Service warned the region of critical fire danger conditions as gusts conditions made way through SoCal.

Fire officials are battling a wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds that's ripping through rural land in incorporated Riverside County.

AGUANGA, Calif. — A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land east of Temecula, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said.

The Highland Fire erupted at about 12:45 p.m. Monday in dry, brushy hills near the unincorporated Riverside County hamlet of Aguanga. As of early Tuesday, the fire had grown to 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres) and was not contained, officials said in a social media post.

About 1,300 homes and 4,000 residents were under evacuation orders, fire spokesman Jeff LaRusso said Monday. Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Tuesday morning, officials said.

The fire had destroyed three buildings and damaged six others but it wasn't clear whether any were homes. The region is sparsely populated but there are horse ranches and a large mobile home site, LaRusso said.

No injuries were reported. The cause was under investigation.

Southern California Edison was considering cutting power to 144,000 customers in six counties to prevent fires from being ignited if wind damaged electrical equipment, but fewer than 300 customers were affected by public safety power shutoffs early Tuesday.

Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the region through Tuesday night, forecasting winds of 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 kph) with gusts to 50 mph (80 kph). The strongest winds are expected in foothills and adjacent valleys.

On Monday, winds of 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 kph) with some higher gusts drove the flames and embers through grass and brush that were dried out by recent winds and low humidity so that it was "almost like kindling" for the blaze, LaRusso said.

The winds were expected to ease somewhat overnight and fire crews would attempt to box in the blaze, LaRusso said.

But, he added: “Wind trumps everything. Hopefully the forecast holds.”

A large air tanker, bulldozers and other resources were called in to fight the fire, one of the few large and active blazes to have erupted so far in California's year-round fire season, LaRusso said.

Southern California was seeing its first significant Santa Ana wind condition. The strong, hot, dry, dust-bearing winds typically descend to the Pacific Coast from inland desert regions during the fall. They have fueled some of the largest and most damaging fires in recent California history.

The weather service issued a red flag warning of extreme fire danger through Tuesday afternoon for parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

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