Brush fire breaks out near Temecula; 30 homes ordered evacuated [Updated]

A brush fire has broken out in a remote area of southwestern Riverside County about 10 miles east of Temecula. Sheriff’s deputies have ordered about 30 ranch-style homes evacuated.

The blaze began shortly before 4 p.m. near California Highway 79, south of Vail Lake, said Capt. Fernando Herrera of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He said he saw at least two structures on fire but did not know whether they were homes or outbuildings. The fire was moving east, he added.

Evacuations are in effect along Highway 79 between Anja Avenue and Sage Road. An evacuation center has opened at Great Oak High School at 32555 Deer Hollow Way in Temecula.

[Updated at 6 p.m.: "This has the potential to be a large-scale fire," Herrera said. "It could pose a great structure threat."

At one point, the fire was burning on both sides of Highway 79, which was closed to traffic in the area of the fire. Herrera said the fire was driven by 20-mph gusts and burning moderate to heavy brush atop rolling hills.

By late afternoon, the fire had grown fairly quickly, Hererra said. The fire is burning about five miles east of the Pechanga Indian Reservation.] 

--Rong-Gong Lin II and Louis Sahagun

Comments

[Ted]

Here we go again, folks!

[TeriM]

Okay, so why is it that Temecula residents are always the last ones to know about fire updates? I've lived here for about 3 years now and for each year we have been surrounded by fires yet we have no info on them. Because we are nestled between San Diego and L.A., it is a toss on who will cover us and and how much is covered. It's really frustrating! To those of us within 2-5 miles of these fires it would be really nice if just ONE news organization would follow us and not just a "hey...guess what" kinda thing!

[kj]

You need to complain to your local news agencies, i.e. 103.5 radio, and the Press Enterprise, and The Californian Newspapers!

I wondered the same and chuckled when I saw the LA TIMES already had it posted!

[Tenaja Mom]

Fire is holding at 217 acres and 12 structures are involved

[anotherview]

Just another wildfire. Happens during fire season. Get used to it. Man up. Stop depending on others. Use your head. Plan for these fire events. Have all your important papers in one or two containers ready to grab and go. Also a good idea to have an overnight bag standing by, packed with a change of clothing and the necessities.

[Dick Diamond]

I seldom read the PE anymore on line. I lived in Riverside County (Riverside and Temecula) for 45 years. That I have to read the LA Times on-line to find out what is happening in Riverside County speaks volumes about the Belo organization (Dallas Morning News) which owns the PE. They could care less about Riverside.

[Someone Who Knows]

For all the negative comments about the fire and the lack of coverage, here are some things to consider:

1. You live in a very brush filled area, and no surprise, it's DRY! We've been in a drought for years now. Make sure your home has the required 100 feet of clearance, know what you will take in event of an evacuation, and LEAVE when the Sheriff's or Fire Department come to your house to evacuate you. If you don't like it, maybe you shouldn't live in a rural area like that.

2. The firefighters have a very tough battle to fight (this area is VERY hilly and rough terrain). You don't think so? Go hike it when it's 100 degrees outside, and see how difficult it is. Add 50 pounds of equipment and flames, and you get the point.

3. The Press Enterprise did have full coverage of the fire, it's on their main page at www.pe.com. It takes a little while for the fire department to release information, you can't expect to have all the info 30 minutes after the fire starts. Also, the info has been kept up to date from what I've seen there.

4. You can also type "Riverside County Fire Incidents" into Google, and it will pull up all of the incidents in the County and will give basic information about the fire and evacuations.

~A person who knows.

[delecti]

One of the problems is our local television coverage is LA instead of SD...This is do to FTC regulations. The SD county border is only a mile or so south, yet we get LA news.

[Derek Bill]

Ever thought of looking out the window? Seriously, with so much fuel out there, isn't this inevitable?

If I build a house on the beach, shouldn't I expect some water to come crashing into my living room once in a while?

Some of you conservative San Diegan-types who think that paying more in taxes is equivalent to death, and who thought those who died in Katrina were dopes for living there, ought to look in an intellectual mirror once in a while.

But since that isn't likely to happen, I'll keep donating to the Red Cross. Have a nice day, and remember, only you can prevent runaway irony.

[Someone who cares]

I dont think anyone should be getting mad, you should just be praying for the ones homes that are in danger! Also the firefighters working very hard!!!