Santa Ana winds fuel destructive Southern California wildfires
Extreme fire weather sparked several wildfires across California Sunday and Monday. The largest is in Riverside County where thousands were evacuated.
AGUANGA, Calif. – A large wildfire in Southern California has destroyed multiple structures and forced evacuations in Riverside County as it rapidly spreads.
The Highland Fire broke out Monday afternoon near Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, the Riverside County Fire Department said. As of the latest update, the fire is currently mapped at 2,200 acres and is 0% contained.
The Highland Fire broke out Monday afternoon near Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, the Riverside County Fire Department said. (FOX 11)
More than 300 firefighters are working to put out the fire that’s destroyed at least three structures and damaged six others as of Monday evening, Cal Fire officials reported.
Due to the fire, evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in parts of Aguanga, some 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles or 75 miles northeast of San Diego. Additional evacuations have been ordered for areas south of Highway 79 near the border between Riverside and San Diego counties.
The National Weather Service downgraded the High Wind Warning issued for Riverside County on Monday to a Wind Advisory which expires at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
A care and reception center has opened at Great Oak High School in Temecula. Additionally, a shelter for large animals is available in San Jacinto.
SANTA ANA WIND WHIPS 104-MPH GUST IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FUELING WILDFIRE DANGER
Highland Fire forces evacuations in parts of Riverside County, California
A large fire in Riverside County has forced evacuations in parts of Aguanga, California.
Santa Ana winds were also blamed for several more fires and flareups statewide. The Lizzie Fire has burned 100 acres in San Luis Obispo County. Cal Fire confirms that it is 35% contained.
Another fire sparked in Aromas on Tuesday morning. The blaze destroyed two buildings and forced nearby families to evacuate in fear the 6 acre fire would spread. At one point over 1,200 homes and businesses were in the dark after the fire burned several utility poles which downed the wires.
Thursday evening a fire broke out on San Diego County’s Marine Corp base Camp Pendleton. So far it charred 1,200 acres of an area called the Whiskey Impact Area, previously used for live fire mortar and artillery testing. A spokesperson at the base said on social media that while smoke is visible, no personnel or structures are threatened.